Do I Get Compensated for the Scar on My Head, Face, or Neck from My Work Injury?

a man with a visible scar on his face due to an injury at work

If you’ve been injured on the job in Pennsylvania, you probably know that you’re entitled to workers’ compensation for a work-related injury. Many injured workers don’t know that they may also qualify for compensation for scars on their head, face, or neck from their work injury. Compensation for disfigurement depends on the severity and impact of your injuries, so you should consult a Pennsylvania work injury lawyer who focuses on this type of case.

Types of Scars and Their Impact

Typical facial scars from a workplace injury include:

The impact of a scar depends on several factors, including:

  • The location of the scar
  • The severity of the scar
  • The visibility of the scar

Eligibility for Compensation

Under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if your scars are:

  • Serious
  • Permanent
  • Unsightly
  • Not usually incident to the job

In practice, this means that your scars must still be visible after six months and that a Pennsylvania workers’ compensation judge must agree that they are visible and unsightly. The insurance carrier may attempt to claim that facial scars are incident to the job, but your workers’ comp attorney will argue that this is not the case.

Determining the Value of a Scar Claim

Your eligibility for compensation depends on the severity and impact of your scarring, so the insurance company may request an Independent Medical Exam to assess your injury. Unfortunately, the examining doctor in an IME works for the insurance company, so they may not be looking out for your best interest. It’s essential to have the help of an experienced workers’ comp attorney to ensure that the value of your scar claim is assessed properly.

When you get an injury at work, workers’ compensation will pay for your lost wages and medical expenses. A judge can award compensation for facial scarring after assessing:

  • Whether surgery could correct your facial scar
  • Whether the scar is visible from three to six feet
  • Whether your hair or beard covers your scar 
  • Whether the scar is in a wrinkle or a crease of the neck, reducing its visibility

Depending on the severity and visibility of your scars, the judge may award up to 66 and two-thirds percent of your usual wages for up to 275 weeks as compensation for disfigurement.

Steps to Take After Sustaining a Work Injury

After sustaining an injury at work, these are the steps you should take:

  • Tell your employer that you’ve been injured.
  • Document the time and location of the injury and note any witnesses.
  • Get medical help as soon as possible.
  • Follow your doctor’s instructions on wound care.
  • Contact a Pennsylvania workers’ comp lawyer to ensure your rights are protected.

Contact Our Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for Help

Calhoon & Kaminsky, P.C. is a Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law firm. We’ve been focused exclusively on workers’ comp for over 20 years, and we never represent employers or their insurance carriers. We only work for injured workers. As one of our client testimonials says:

Matt was the partner that I needed through my frustrating Work Comp claim. He was accessible and made me feel at ease when I was confused or stressed. I’d recommend them to anyone looking for trustworthy, experienced lawyers – Brian D.

Contact Calhoon & Kaminsky, P.C., today to speak with a lawyer for free. We won’t charge anything unless we win your case.

This post was originally published in December 2014 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in January 2025.