What are an accident victim’s rights if they suffered facial disfigurement as a result of a car crash?

Vehicles and the safety features they come equipped with can only help prevent an accident and injuries to some degree. If an individual is involved in a serious car crash, there is a chance the impact will cause them to suffer severe or catastrophic injuries no matter what their vehicle’s safety rating is. Facial disfigurement is one type of injury some accident victims walk away from a collision with that not only impact them physically but also psychologically.

According to a publication shared by the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health, because the face “is a vital component of one’s personality and body image,” facial trauma can cause an individual to experience any of the following:

• Body image issues
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Depression and/or anxiety. The publication suggests that depression and anxiety that stem from facial trauma is “often coupled with worries regarding recovery and length of the treatment process.”
• Psychological morbidity
• Social withdrawal
• Isolation

 

When an individual’s image is altered in a way that doesn’t quite fit the appearance they had envisioned for themselves, it can take a toll on their physical and psychological health. This, in turn, can impact their ability to enjoy life.

 

Correcting Disfigurement

 

When an individual suffers an injury that leads to facial disfigurement, they may be given the option to undergo surgery to help correct the deformity to some degree. Unfortunately, this type of medical treatment is costly to receive which means some victims of facial disfigurement may not be able to afford the treatment or must put it off until a later date.

 

Does a victim of facial deformity have legal rights?

 

If an individual has suffered a facial deformity as a result of a car or truck accident in Chula Vista, CA, they may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party who caused the accident given there was one. A personal injury lawsuit would give an accident victim the opportunity to ask the party they are suing for damages for the impact the incident has had on their life. Some of the damages a victim might be entitled to recover include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of enjoyment of life

 

If someone suffered facial trauma as a result of an auto accident in Chula Vista and they would like to explore what legal options are available to them, they can contact the Law Offices of Bruce S. Meth to speak with a CA car accident lawyer.

 

The Law Offices of Bruce S. Meth can be reached at:

 

Phone: (619) 691-8942

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.attorneymeth.com

 

Chula Vista Office

815 Third Ave., Ste. 115

Chula Vista, CA 91911

 

 

Mission Valley Office

1761 Hotel Court, Suite 250

San Diego, CA 92108