There are many different ways to categorize injuries. Grouping them based on their severity is a common approach. Catastrophic injuries generally have life-changing consequences for the injured person.
These injuries may cause permanent changes to functional capabilities and could also have massive financial consequences. People typically classify amputations, traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries as catastrophic injuries. Disfiguring injuries can also be catastrophic as well. People left with disfiguring scars never fully recover despite advances in corrective surgeries in recent years.
Disfiguring injuries can have significant medical implications, as scar tissue can affect functional capabilities in many cases. Disfiguring injuries may also have significant financial implications, including the three consequences below.
Staggering medical expenses
The attempt to treat a disfiguring injury and improve an individual’s appearance after their injury can cost tens of thousands of dollars. People may undergo skin grafts or multiple corrective procedures to try to diminish the visible reminders of their injury. Medical insurance may not cover the costs associated with treatment in cases where a person sustains injuries due to the misconduct or negligence of others. Many health insurance policies do not cover cosmetic procedures at all.
Reduced earning potential
Attractive people command more attention from others and may even command higher wages than people in similar professions. Research has found that highly-attractive professionals often make an average of $19,945 more annually than their less-attractive co-workers. Unfortunately, the inverse is sometimes true as well. People with unusual physical appearances that others may deem unattractive may find that their earning potential decreases. They may struggle to command a competitive salary. Those in customer-facing positions or sales roles may find that it is much harder to maintain the same income after they return to work following their injury.
The cost of addressing trauma
A disfiguring injury can have a major impact on an individual’s mental health. People may struggle with low self-esteem. They may develop depression or social anxiety. They may also have strong emotional reactions as their professional and personal relationships change because of their disfiguring injuries. Individuals who face divorce after a disfiguring injury may have a hard time moving on from the situation, for example. The individual adjusting to life with disfiguring injuries may need ongoing mental health support to learn coping mechanisms and process their reactions.
All of those expenses combined can add up to a shockingly high amount. People dealing with catastrophic injuries may need more financial support than they can secure through basic insurance claims. Reviewing the likely consequences of a recent injury with a skilled legal team could help an affected party look into all of their options for recouping their losses and covering their expenses.