Disfigurement refers to the permanent alteration or damage to a person’s appearance, typically due to injury, illness, or trauma. In a legal context, disfigurement may be considered a form of personal injury and can have significant physical, emotional, and psychological effects on the individual affected. Disfigurement may result from various causes, including burns, scarring, amputations, birth defects, or medical conditions, and it can impact a person’s self-esteem, social interactions, and quality of life. In civil litigation, individuals who suffer disfigurement may seek compensation for damages, such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of earning capacity, from those responsible for causing or contributing to their injuries. in addition, some jurisdictions recognise disfigurement as a separate basis for damages in personal injury claims, allowing victims to recover compensation specifically for the physical and emotional harm caused by the alteration of their appearance.
The action of spoiling the appearance of something or someone; defacement.
The result of disfiguring; the state of being disfigured; defacement; deformity; disfiguration.
- The act of damaging the appearance or surface of something.
- An appearance that has been spoiled or is misshapen.
Disfigurement can occur when an individual’s physical appearance has been significantly and noticeably damaged, generally on their head, face or neck. If a person is disfigured due to a person’s negligence or personal injury, considerable damages may be won. Common injuries which can cause disfigurement include: car and motorcycle accidents, surgical errors, dog bites, burn accidents, workplace accidents, premise liability cases and semi-truck accidents.
The courts will use several factors to determine compensation awards in a personal injury case including the age of the victim (the younger the victim the more compensation), the sex of the victim, the appearance and the location of the scars and how they can be covered by clothing or hair, the marital status, and embarrassment.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 29th March, 2024.
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