Trauma to the face can change your life in an instant. Visible facial scars make other people see you differently. Injuries to organs like your nose, eyes, and mouth affect how well you see, smell, and taste. It may take years of surgery to restore your appearance and sensory functions, or it may never be possible.
If you or a loved one has suffered a facial injury in Atlanta due to someone else’s negligence, you may have a legal case against the person who injured you. Here’s what you should know.
The Emotional Toll of a Facial Injury
The physical pain involved with facial trauma is only part of the challenges you’re going through. The face is how humans express themselves and connect with others. When a person’s appearance is permanently changed, they can feel as though they’ve lost their identity. Thus, many people struggle with poor self-confidence, depression, and anxiety after their accidents.
Victims can also face discrimination in both social and professional settings. The stress of ongoing treatments, surgeries, and financial burdens add to the emotional weight. No one should ever have to go through this pain, but many victims can at least hold the responsible party accountable with a personal injury lawsuit.
Common Causes of Facial Injuries
Any accident can cause trauma to the face, but some of the more common ones include:
- Car Accidents: The force of the impact, shattered glass, and airbag deployment can cause fractures, deep cuts, and friction burns.
- Medical Malpractice: Surgical mistakes, improper treatments, and misdiagnosed conditions can lead to disfigurement and nerve damage.
- Slips and Falls: Serious falls can break bones in the face and cause dental injuries or disfiguring cuts.
- Animal Bites: Attacks by large dogs or other animals can lead to severe facial wounds that need reconstructive surgery.
- Workplace Accidents: Workers at construction sites, factories, and other high-risk workplaces can suffer from blunt force trauma, burns, and chemical exposure.
Regardless of the cause, these injuries can leave both physical and emotional scars. When negligence plays a role, the injured person has the right to hold the responsible party accountable.
Types of Facial Injuries
Facial trauma often involves a lot more than what’s visible on the outside. Many injuries affect deeper body structures, which can make recovery long and difficult.
Fractures
The bones of the face are quite delicate, especially around the nose, cheeks, and eyes. Surgery is common for severe fractures in these areas. Additionally, facial bones can shift when they break, leading to misalignment that makes it harder to speak or eat.
Soft Tissue Damage
Deep cuts and torn skin may cause permanent scarring. Nerve damage due to burns and lacerations can result in facial paralysis and a loss of sensation. Infections are also a concern, particularly with open and deep wounds.
Chemical and Burn Injuries
Fires, electrical accidents, and chemical exposure can all create painful burns that might lead to disfigurement. Severe burns usually require skin grafts and reconstructive surgery.
Dental and Jaw Injuries
Jaw fractures, knocked-out teeth, and severe bite misalignments can make it tough to eat, speak, and even breathe. Dental surgeries, implants, and orthodontic treatments are often needed to restore function.
Legal Options for Injury Victims In Atlanta
If someone’s negligence caused your injury, Georgia law allows you to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost time from work, and pain and suffering. Taking action with the help of an attorney can allow you to regain control of your life.
Proving Negligence
To build a strong case, you must prove that the other person acted carelessly and that their behavior caused your injury.
This could mean showing that:
- A driver was texting while driving.
- A doctor made a preventable medical mistake.
- A property owner didn’t fix a broken step.
Evidence like medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony can help you establish fault.
Compensation
Personal injury compensation is intended to make you whole, which means that the amount is largely based on how much your injuries have cost you financially and emotionally.
Facial injury victims can recover losses that include the following:
- Emergency care, surgeries, and future treatments
- Physical therapy
- Rehab
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Psychological therapy
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
Because many types of facial trauma need long-term treatment, it’s important to take future expenses into account before you accept a settlement. Insurance companies like to look for ways to reduce and even deny payouts, so you’ll want strong legal counsel on your side.
Take Action Today
A facial injury can change everything, but you don’t have to face the fallout alone. If negligence played a part in your suffering, Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers can help you fight for the justice you deserve. Contact our Atlanta office today at (770) 390-7550 to schedule a free consultation and to talk about your legal options.