There are many different types of injuries that can cause disfiguring scars. Car crashes, fires caused by defective products and dog bite attacks could all leave people with permanent scars. Scars in visible locations, such as the face, neck and hands, can be particularly challenging to live with after an injury.
Even with advances in modern medicine, some scars are impossible to treat. Those with major disfiguring scars may have medical expenses to address. Beyond that, they may need to consider how their injuries could negatively affect their earning potential. There are three primary ways in which significant disfiguring stars that affect an individual’s future earning potential.
Functional limitations
Scars that are large enough to affect someone’s appearance can also affect their functional capabilities. Scar tissue tends to be inflexible, meaning that scars affect someone’s range of motion. Scar tissue on the hands could affect how well people use their individual fingers, while significant scarring on the neck and shoulders might affect head mobility. Scars can make motion painful in some cases, limiting what job functions individuals can perform.
Mental health consequences
Disfiguring scars have a tendency to affect people’s mental health. Much of an individual’s self-perception relates to their appearance. Negative changes in appearance can harm self-esteem. There’s a strong association between significant scarring and negative mental health outcomes. People may experience anxiety and depression, both of which can affect their job performance. People with disfiguring scars may need extensive therapy to overcome the adverse psychological impacts of their injuries.
Others’ perceptions
Scars that are visible to others can change how people treat an individual. The unfortunate reality is that disfiguring scars tend to have a chilling effect on someone’s earning potential. Appearance can factor into how easily someone gets a job or whether their employer promotes them. Managers might even discriminate subconsciously against less-attractive employees when determining who gets raises each year. There is a known positive correlation between physical attractiveness and income. Therefore, there is reason to suspect that disfiguring scars could reduce someone’s earning potential.
Considering the long-term care costs and secondary expenses associated with scarring is important for those with major injuries. Insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits may need to address the consequences of scars in addition to other medical costs. Recognizing how scarring can impact earning potential can help those seeking compensation after a serious injury.