Facial Scarring Compensation Calculator

Facial Scarring Compensation Calculator

Very Severe (Significant Disfigurement & Psychological Impact) Less Severe (Substantial Disfigurement) Significant (Single Scar or Minor Disfigurement) Minor (Visible but not disfiguring) Trivial (Faint/Very small scars)

No Significant Psychological Impact Moderate (Self-consciousness, social anxiety) Severe (Clinical depression, PTSD, personality changes)

Estimated General Damages

*Note: This is an estimate based on Judicial College Guidelines for General Damages only. Special damages (loss of earnings, medical costs) are not included.*

function calculateScarComp() { var severity = document.getElementById("scarSeverity").value; var psych = parseFloat(document.getElementById("psychImpact").value); var age = parseInt(document.getElementById("claimantAge").value); var resultDiv = document.getElementById("resultArea"); var rangeText = document.getElementById("compRange"); if (!age || age < 0) { alert("Please enter a valid age."); return; } var minBase = 0; var maxBase = 0; // Base figures derived from typical Judicial College Guidelines (UK) if (severity === "verySevere") { minBase = 26000; maxBase = 85000; } else if (severity === "lessSevere") { minBase = 15000; maxBase = 42000; } else if (severity === "significant") { minBase = 8000; maxBase = 26000; } else if (severity === "minor") { minBase = 3500; maxBase = 12000; } else if (severity === "trivial") { minBase = 1500; maxBase = 3500; } // Apply psychological multiplier var minComp = minBase * psych; var maxComp = maxBase * psych; // Age adjustment: Younger claimants typically receive higher awards for cosmetic disfigurement // as they live with the scar longer. var ageMultiplier = 1; if (age 60) { ageMultiplier = 0.85; } minComp = minComp * ageMultiplier; maxComp = maxComp * ageMultiplier; rangeText.innerText = "£" + Math.round(minComp).toLocaleString() + " – £" + Math.round(maxComp).toLocaleString(); resultDiv.style.display = "block"; }

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How Facial Scarring Compensation is Calculated

Facial scarring claims are unique in personal injury law because the face is central to a person's identity and social interaction. Unlike scars on other parts of the body, facial disfigurement often carries a higher compensation value due to its constant visibility and the potential for significant psychological distress.

Key Determining Factors

When legal professionals or insurers assess a claim for facial scarring, they primarily look at the following criteria:

• Severity and Visibility: The length, depth, and color of the scar, as well as its location (e.g., a scar across the eye or lip is usually valued higher than one under the jawline).
• Psychological Impact: If the scar has led to a clinical psychiatric condition, such as depression or social phobia, the "General Damages" award increases significantly.
• Age and Gender: Historically, awards for females were higher in certain jurisdictions, though modern guidelines focus on the actual cosmetic impact. Age is a major factor; younger claimants receive more because they must endure the physical and social consequences for a longer period.
• Surgical Intervention: Whether the scar can be improved via plastic surgery or if it is permanent despite treatment.

General Damages vs. Special Damages

The calculator above estimates General Damages, which is the money awarded for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity. However, a full legal claim also includes Special Damages, which cover:

1. Medical Expenses: Costs for laser treatment, skin grafts, or camouflage makeup.
2. Loss of Earnings: If the injury required time off work or if the disfigurement impacts a career (e.g., modeling or acting).
3. Travel Costs: Expenses related to attending specialist appointments.

Realistic Example of a Claim

Consider a 28-year-old individual who sustained a 5cm jagged scar on their cheek due to a road traffic accident. If the scar is "Significant" and causes "Moderate" psychological distress (anxiety in social settings), the calculation might look like this:

Factor	Details
Base Severity (Significant)	£8,000 – £26,000
Psychological Uplift	+20%
Age Adjustment	Standard (Neutral)
Estimated Award	£9,600 – £31,200

It is important to consult with a specialized personal injury solicitor to get an accurate valuation of your specific case, as they will use the most recent Judicial College Guidelines and case law precedents.