Estimate the potential value of personal injury scarring claims
Face (Most Visible)
Neck
Torso / Body
Arms / Hands
Legs / Feet
Minor / Superficial
Moderate / Noticeable
Severe / Disfiguring
Very Severe (Multiple scars)
None / Minimal
Mild Anxiety
Moderate Distress
Severe Psychological Trauma
Estimated Compensation Range:
$0 – $0
*This is an estimate for "General Damages" (pain and suffering) only. It excludes medical bills or lost wages. Consult a solicitor for accurate legal advice.
Understanding Scar Compensation Values
Scarring from accidents, burns, or surgeries can have lasting physical and psychological effects. When calculating compensation for scarring (often referred to as permanent disfigurement), courts and insurance adjusters look at specific criteria rather than a fixed price list. This calculator uses guidelines based on judicial precedents to estimate the "General Damages" component of a claim.
Key Factors Influencing Payouts
Location: Facial scarring typically attracts the highest awards due to its visibility and cosmetic importance. Scars on the neck and hands are also valued higher than scars on the torso or legs which can be covered by clothing.
Severity and Visibility: Superficial scars that may fade over time are valued lower. Keloid scars, deep tissue damage, or scars that cause tightening of the skin (contracture) are valued significantly higher.
Age and Gender: Historically, courts awarded higher sums to younger claimants and women, assuming the cosmetic impact was greater. While modern law is more gender-neutral, age remains a critical factor; a facial scar on a young person is generally worth more than on an elderly person because they must live with the disfigurement for longer.
Psychological Impact: Many scarring cases involve a psychiatric component, such as anxiety, depression, or loss of confidence. Severe psychological trauma can double the value of the claim.
Compensation Tiers Explained
While every case is unique, legal guidelines generally categorize scarring into bands:
Minor Scarring: Usually a single scar that is not prominent from a distance. Compensation typically covers the cosmetic defect with minimal psychological impact.
Moderate Scarring: Scars that are clearly visible, may be discolored, or cannot be hidden by standard clothing. This tier often involves some level of social anxiety for the claimant.
Severe Scarring: Significant disfigurement, multiple scars, or scarring that impacts facial expressions or mobility. This category attracts the highest compensation, particularly if the claimant is young.
General Damages vs. Special Damages
This calculator estimates General Damages, which compensates for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity. A full settlement will also include Special Damages, which cover quantifiable financial losses such as:
Cost of plastic surgery or revision treatments.
Camouflage make-up costs.
Lost earnings if the injury prevented you from working.
Therapy costs for psychological trauma.
function calculateScarPayout() {
// Get Inputs
var location = document.getElementById('scarLocation').value;
var severity = document.getElementById('scarSeverity').value;
var age = parseFloat(document.getElementById('claimantAge').value);
var psych = document.getElementById('psychImpact').value;
// Validation
if (isNaN(age) || age 120) {
alert("Please enter a valid age.");
return;
}
// Base Calculation Matrix (Ranges in USD – approximation of general legal guidelines)
// Format: [min, max]
var baseRange = [0, 0];
if (location === 'face') {
if (severity === 'minor') baseRange = [2000, 5000];
else if (severity === 'moderate') baseRange = [5000, 18000];
else if (severity === 'severe') baseRange = [18000, 45000];
else if (severity === 'very_severe') baseRange = [45000, 95000];
} else if (location === 'neck') {
if (severity === 'minor') baseRange = [1500, 4000];
else if (severity === 'moderate') baseRange = [4000, 12000];
else if (severity === 'severe') baseRange = [12000, 30000];
else if (severity === 'very_severe') baseRange = [30000, 70000];
} else if (location === 'arms' || location === 'legs') { // Limbs
if (severity === 'minor') baseRange = [1000, 3000];
else if (severity === 'moderate') baseRange = [3000, 10000];
else if (severity === 'severe') baseRange = [10000, 25000];
else if (severity === 'very_severe') baseRange = [25000, 50000];
} else { // Torso/Body
if (severity === 'minor') baseRange = [800, 2500];
else if (severity === 'moderate') baseRange = [2500, 8000];
else if (severity === 'severe') baseRange = [8000, 20000];
else if (severity === 'very_severe') baseRange = [20000, 45000];
}
// Age Adjustment logic
// Younger people (under 30) often receive higher awards for cosmetic damage, especially on face/neck
if (age < 30 && (location === 'face' || location === 'neck')) {
baseRange[0] = baseRange[0] * 1.15; // 15% increase
baseRange[1] = baseRange[1] * 1.15;
} else if (age < 18) {
// Minors generally get slightly higher for all locations due to life expectancy with scar
baseRange[0] = baseRange[0] * 1.10;
baseRange[1] = baseRange[1] * 1.10;
}
// Psychological Impact Add-on
// This is usually added on top of the physical scar value
var psychAddOn = [0, 0];
if (psych === 'mild') psychAddOn = [1000, 3000];
else if (psych === 'moderate') psychAddOn = [3000, 10000];
else if (psych === 'severe') psychAddOn = [10000, 25000];
// Total Calculation
var finalMin = baseRange[0] + psychAddOn[0];
var finalMax = baseRange[1] + psychAddOn[1];
// Rounding to nearest 100
finalMin = Math.round(finalMin / 100) * 100;
finalMax = Math.round(finalMax / 100) * 100;
// Formatting Currency
var formatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', {
style: 'currency',
currency: 'USD',
minimumFractionDigits: 0,
maximumFractionDigits: 0,
});
// Display Result
var resultBox = document.getElementById('resultBox');
var resultText = document.getElementById('payoutResult');
resultText.innerHTML = formatter.format(finalMin) + " – " + formatter.format(finalMax);
resultBox.style.display = 'block';
// Simple animation effect
resultBox.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' });
}