Facial Disfigurement & Scarring Compensation Lawyers

A facial disfigurement is when there is any permanent change to the appearance of the face, head or neck (visible scars, burns, tissue loss, nerve damage causing paralysis or structural changes from fractures or surgery, etc.). 

The impact of facial disfigurement affects how others interact with you and will often lead to staring, comments and social avoidance. This goes far beyond an altered appearance and causes significant psychological effects, including depression, anxiety, PTSD and social withdrawal.

Studies show people who suffer facial disfigurement go through much higher rates of mental health issues, with nearly half having anxiety symptoms and over one in four experiencing depression, both of which are far above the norm.

Under Queensland's legal system, there are four severity levels of facial scarring under the Civil Liability Regulation 2014, which are classified as follows: 

• Minor scarring includes small, linear scars less than 5cm in length which have minimal psychological impact. These are typically the result of minor cuts or surgical procedures and can fade significantly over time.
• Moderate scarring involves discoloured, raised or depressed scars, hypertrophic or keloid scarring which requires surgery and multiple smaller scars across visible areas. These types of scars are prominent and generally cause ongoing discomfort and/or sensitivity.
• Serious scarring encompasses significant contour deformities; muscle paralysis which affects facial expressions, distortion of the eyelid or mouth leading to impaired function; and burns which cover between 10-50% of the face. These injuries typically require multiple reconstructive surgeries and cause substantial functional issues.
• Extreme scarring is when an injury results in complete facial burns, loss of facial structures like the nose or eyelids, total facial paralysis and massive tissue loss requiring extensive reconstruction. These types of injuries are catastrophic, fundamentally altering the person's appearance and often requiring lifelong medical care.

Where your injury falls on the severity classification directly impacts the amount of compensation you will receive, with psychological effects from any level of scarring potentially increasing what you are awarded by between 15-25%.

The most common scenarios resulting in facial injuries which lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement occur in workplace accidents, motor vehicle crashes and incidents in public places.

Workplace incidents account for a large portion of facial injuries which lead to compensation claims, largely due to: 

• Chemical splashes from cleaning products or industrial substances causing severe burns, particularly in healthcare, manufacturing and hospitality settings. 
• Machinery accidents involving cutting tools, grinders or manufacturing equipment causing deep lacerations and tissue destruction. 
• Hot liquid spills in commercial kitchens causing severe burns to the face and neck. Broken glass from windows, bottles and display cases causing deep cuts which require extensive suturing.
• Falling objects or tools hitting the face during construction work causing fractures and soft tissue damage.

Motor vehicle accidents are also heavily involved in many facial disfigurement cases. Australian studies consistently show that motor vehicle accidents generally account for around 14% of facial disfigurement because of: 

• Airbag deployment causing burns, abrasions or blunt force trauma, particularly to passengers not wearing seatbelts correctly. 
• Broken windscreen glass causing lacerations in high-impact collisions. 
• Collisions with dashboards or steering wheels during frontal impacts causing fractures and crushing injuries. 
• Motorcycle accidents, which often result in severe road rash and structural damage even when the people involved are wearing helmets. 
• Side-impact collisions causing glass fragments to penetrate facial tissues.

Public place incidents are another common cause of facial disfigurement injuries. They often involve slip and fall accidents in which individuals strike their face on concrete, steps or fixtures, as well as: 

• Dog attacks in parks or residential areas leading to puncture wounds and tissue tears.
• Assault incidents in entertainment venues or public spaces resulting in deliberate injury.
• Sporting activities with inadequate safety measures leading to ball strikes or collision injuries.
• Defective products like exploding glass tables or faulty appliances causing unexpected facial injuries.

Medical negligence is a growing cause of facial disfigurement compensation claims, and includes botched cosmetic procedures, surgical errors during routine operations, laser treatment burns and infections from poor hygiene standards. There have even been recent cases resulting in substantial awards where beauty clinics failed to warn clients of scarring risks during procedures.

The way the injury occurs significantly affects both the treatment required and potential compensation available, with intentional acts, chemical burns and high-temperature injuries typically resulting in more severe scarring and higher payouts.

There are certain industries and occupations which face significant risks of facial injuries due to the nature of their work environment, equipment and exposure to hazardous substances. The worst affected are:

• Construction workers face the highest risk, with recent Safe Work Australia data showing that facial injuries in construction occur at twice the rate of other industries. Concrete and steel workers risk chemical burns from cement and metal splashes. Power tool operators using angle grinders, circular saws and nail guns are at risk of blade breakage and projectile injuries.
• Healthcare professionals experience facial injuries from needle-stick accidents, chemical splashes from cleaning agents and patient-related violence. Laboratory technicians regularly handle corrosive substances, while aged care workers face increased assault risks from patients with dementia or psychiatric conditions. Emergency department staff are exposed to blood-borne pathogen exposures and violent patient interactions.
• Hospitality workers in commercial kitchens face constant exposure to hot oils, boiling water and scalding steam. Deep fryer accidents can cause severe burns to the face and arms, while broken glass during busy service periods can lead to lacerations. Bar staff are at heightened risk of assault during alcohol-related incidents, and cleaning staff use industrial chemicals that can splash or spray unexpectedly.
• Manufacturing employees working with metal fabrication, chemical processing or food production could suffer a facial injury from machinery entanglement, chemical splashes or high-pressure equipment failures. Automotive workers risk battery acid exposure and compressed air accidents, and textile workers regularly use dangerous chemical dyes and industrial machinery.
• Transport workers like truck drivers, delivery personnel and warehouse staff face heightened risk of vehicle accidents and injuries sustained during loading/unloading. Forklift operators risk being struck by falling objects or crashing, and fuel transport workers handle flammable and corrosive substances.
• Young workers aged 15-24 often face disproportionate injury rates due to inexperience, inadequate training and assignment to high-risk tasks. 

There are a range of prevention strategies which can help reduce these risks, including proper personal protective equipment, comprehensive training and strict safety protocols. These can significantly reduce injury rates, which is why employer negligence in implementing these measures forms the basis for many successful compensation claims.