Scarring and disfigurement from a car accident can qualify for compensation in Missouri, including costs for medical treatment, plastic surgery, and the emotional impact of living with a permanent change to your appearance.
Missouri law allows injury victims to pursue damages from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, and in some cases, through a personal injury lawsuit.
Scars and disfigurement are treated seriously under Missouri law, but insurance companies do not always offer fair compensation without a fight. The value of your claim depends on factors like the location and severity of the scar, your age, and whether future treatment is needed.
What is Disfigurement After a Car Crash?
Disfigurement is any visible, permanent change to your appearance caused by the crash. This includes scars, burns, amputations, or the loss of a facial feature. Scarring refers to the permanent marks left on your skin from cuts, burns, road rash, or surgical incisions needed to treat your injuries.
Under Missouri law, a scar does not have to be on your face to qualify for compensation. Scars caused by medical treatment, like a surgical incision to repair a broken bone, count just as much as the original crash injury.
Common ways scars form in Missouri crashes include:
- Lacerations from broken glass or metal: Shattered windshields and door frames can cause deep cuts to the face, arms, and hands.
- Road rash: Being thrown from a motorcycle or bicycle and sliding across pavement scrapes away layers of skin.
- Burns: Vehicle fires, hot engine fluids, or airbag chemical reactions can cause severe burns that leave permanent scars.
- Surgical scars: Fracture repairs and internal injury surgeries leave incision marks that never fully disappear.
- Seat belt and airbag abrasions: The devices that save your life can leave deep marks across the chest, neck, and face.
Facial vs. Body Scars and Why Location Matters
Where a scar is located affects how much your claim is worth. Scars on your face, neck, and hands are almost always visible to others, which is why they typically lead to higher compensation. These injuries affect how you present yourself every day, at work, in social situations, and in your own mirror.
Body scars that can be covered by clothing may be valued lower by insurance companies. That does not mean they are unimportant. Hidden scars still cause pain, embarrassment, and emotional distress, and you deserve compensation for all of it.
Scars on children are often valued higher than similar scars on adults. A child will live with the disfigurement for their entire life, and it can affect their self-esteem, social development, and future opportunities in ways that are difficult to fully measure.
Can You Recover Compensation for Scarring and Disfigurement in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri law allows you to recover compensation when another driver’s negligence caused your scars or disfigurement. Your claim can include three types of damages: economic, non-economic, and in rare cases, punitive.
Economic damages cover the real, out-of-pocket costs of treating your injuries. These include:
- Plastic surgery and reconstructive procedures
- Dermatology appointments and laser scar treatments
- Skin grafts and revision surgeries
- Prescription medications and wound care
- Lost wages from time off work during recovery
Non-economic damages cover the personal impact of living with a permanent scar. Missouri does not cap non-economic damages in standard car accident cases. This type of compensation can include physical pain, embarrassment, anxiety, depression, loss of self-confidence, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive damages are rare and only apply when the at-fault driver acted with extreme recklessness, such as drunk driving or fleeing police. These are meant to punish the wrongdoer, not just cover your losses.
What Factors Affect the Value of a Scar or Disfigurement Claim?
No two claims are worth the same amount. Insurance adjusters and juries weigh several factors when determining what your scar or disfigurement is worth.
| Factor | Increases Value | Decreases Value |
| Location | Face, neck, hands | Hidden by clothing |
| Permanency | Permanent, untreatable | Can be revised or removed |
| Size and Severity | Large, raised, discolored | Small, faded, flat |
| Age | Child or young adult | Older adult |
| Occupation | Appearance-based work | Less public-facing role |
The scar’s texture, color, and whether it is raised or indented all play a role. A plastic surgeon’s opinion on whether future treatment can improve the scar is often a key piece of evidence in your case.
Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule also affects your compensation. This rule means your award is reduced by your percentage of fault for the crash. For example, if you are found 3% at fault, your compensation is reduced by 20%. You can still recover even if you share some of the blame.
Missouri also has a seat belt defense; if you were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, your compensation can be reduced by up to 1%.
How We Prove a Scarring and Disfigurement Claim
Building a strong claim takes more than showing a photo of your injury. At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we gather the evidence needed to show both the physical reality and the personal impact of your scars.
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we start by collecting all medical records, from your emergency room visit through every plastic surgery and dermatology appointment. We document your scars with high-resolution photographs taken at regular intervals to create a clear visual record of how the injury has progressed.
Physicians sometimes use formal tools like the Vancouver Scar Scale, which rates a scar’s severity based on color, texture, and thickness, to give an objective assessment.
We also work with plastic surgeons and dermatologists who can testify about your future treatment needs, the likely outcome of revision surgery, and the permanence of your disfigurement. Their expert opinions strengthen your claim for future medical costs.
Scars affect more than your skin. Our Missouri car accident attorneys gather statements from family members, friends, and coworkers about how the disfigurement has changed your confidence, your relationships, and your daily life. In some cases, a “Day in the Life” video can show an insurance company or jury the real challenges you face every day.
Should You Wait for MMI Before Settling?
Maximum Medical Improvement, or MMI, is the point when your doctor determines your condition has stabilized and is not expected to improve further with treatment. In most cases, we recommend waiting until you reach MMI or finish any planned scar revision procedures before settling your claim.
Once you sign a settlement release, you cannot go back for more money, even if you need unexpected future care. Settling too early is one of the most common mistakes injury victims make.
If waiting is not practical for your situation, we work with medical experts to project your future treatment costs and build them into your settlement demand. This way, you are not left paying out of pocket for care you need down the road.
Who Pays for Your Scar Treatment Before Settlement?
You should not have to delay treatment while waiting for your case to resolve. There are several ways to cover your medical bills in the meantime:
- MedPay: Medical Payments coverage on your own auto insurance policy pays for treatment right away, regardless of who caused the crash.
- Health insurance: Your health plan will cover treatment, but may place a lien on your settlement, meaning they expect to be reimbursed from your recovery.
- Provider liens: Some plastic surgeons and specialists agree to treat you now and be paid directly from your future settlement, with no upfront cost to you.
Our team helps you navigate these options so you can get the care you need without the financial stress.
How Long Do You Have to File a Missouri Scarring Claim?
Missouri gives you five years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, under Missouri Revised Statute Section 516.120. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to recover any compensation at all.
Five years may seem like a long time, but evidence disappears, witnesses move, and memories fade. Acting quickly gives us the best chance to build a strong case on your behalf.
Be aware of important exceptions: if your claim involves a government vehicle or government entity, you may need to file a formal notice much sooner than usual, so contact an attorney or the relevant agency to confirm the deadline. For minors, the statute of limitations is tolled until they turn 18, at which point the regular filing deadline begins.
How Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers Fights for Disfigurement Victims
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we help Missouri accident victims. We focus exclusively on auto accident cases and are dedicated to achieving the best possible results for our clients. That means we know how Missouri insurance companies, judges, and juries approach scarring and disfigurement claims.
We handle every case personally. You will work directly with an experienced attorney, not be handed off to a case manager. We also have relationships with trusted plastic surgeons, burn specialists, and dermatologists throughout Missouri who can provide both excellent care and credible expert opinions to support your claim.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Consultations are always free, and you pay nothing unless we win. Contact Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers today to start your free case review.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is a Scar Settlement Worth in Missouri?
Scar settlements vary widely based on severity and location; minor scars may settle for a few thousand dollars, while severe facial disfigurement claims can reach six or seven figures.
What Qualifies as Permanent Disfigurement in a Missouri Injury Claim?
Permanent disfigurement is any lasting, visible change to your appearance that cannot be fully restored, including scars, burns, amputations, or facial asymmetry caused by the crash.
Will the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Pay for Plastic Surgery?
Yes, if the procedure is medically necessary to treat a crash injury, the at-fault driver’s insurance is responsible, though insurers often resist paying for treatments they label as cosmetic.
Should You Settle a Scar Claim Before Reaching MMI?
In most cases, no, because settling before MMI means you cannot recover compensation for future treatments you may still need.
Do Children Receive Higher Compensation for Facial Scarring?
Yes, because children will live with the disfigurement for a much longer time, and it can significantly affect their emotional development and future opportunities.
Can You Still Recover Compensation If You Were Partly at Fault?
Yes, under Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule, you can still recover damages even if you share some responsibility, though your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
How Can You Pay for Scar Treatment While Your Case Is Pending?
MedPay coverage, your health insurance, or a medical lien with your provider can all cover treatment costs while your case is still open.
What Records Should You Keep After a Scarring Injury?
Keep all medical bills and treatment records, take regular photographs of your scars in good lighting, and write down how the injury affects your daily life, work, and relationships.
