Last Updated On 12th February 2026. If you were involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault and this left you with scarring, you could receive permanent scar compensation. A permanent scar or any type of scarring can have a huge impact on a person’s life, not to mention cause psychological damage. Choosing to claim compensation could help you with recovering a sense of justice and help with any financial losses you may have also suffered.
Our panel of solicitors have dealt with thousands of personal injury claims, helping clients who suffer from severe facial scarring and scarring elsewhere to receive compensation. Our guide contains all the information you need to know about making a personal injury claim, including who can claim, the types of compensation you could receive, time limits, and evidence that could support your case.
It can be tricky to know whether to take the jump towards pursuing a claim, but our advisors can help. Whether you’re unsure if your case can become a claim or confused about where to begin, select one of the contact methods below, and our highly experienced advisors can assist.
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- Compensation Amounts For Permanent Scar Injuries
- How Is Permanent Scar Compensation Calculated?
- Am I Eligible To Make A Permanent Scar Claim?
- What Evidence Do I Need To Support My Claim?
- The Time Limits For Claiming Permanent Scar Compensation
- How Public Interest Lawyers Can Help You
- Frequently Asked Questions About Permanent Scar Compensation
- Learn More
Compensation Amounts For Permanent Scar Injuries
Per the Judicial College Guidelines, a legal document containing guideline compensation brackets for various types of injuries, you could potentially receive between £36,340 to £118,790 for very severe facial scarring.
The JCG may be used be those calculating your claim for general damages. This is compensation for your injuries and the pain and suffering they have caused you.
In the table below, we have used some of the figures listed within the JCG aside from the first entry. Please note that these are suggestive figures only.
| TYPE OF INJURY | SEVERITY | COMPENSATION GUIDELINES |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries with Special Damages | Severe | Up to £350,000+ |
| General Psychiatric Damage | Severe | £66,920 to £141,240 |
| Moderately Severe | £23,270 to £66,920 | |
| Moderate | £7,150 to £23,270 | |
| Scarring To the Body | Burns Covering 40% or More of the Body | Likely to be more than £127,930 |
| Multiple Noticeable Cuts/Lacerations or One Single Scar that is Disfiguring | £9,560 to £27,740 | |
| Scarring Without Any Serious Internal Injury | Around £10,550 | |
| One Individual Scar or Multiple Superficial Scars | £2,890 to £9,560 | |
| Facial Scarring | Very Severe | £36,340 to £118,790 |
| Less Severe | £21,920 to £59,090 | |
| Significant Facial Scarring | £11,120 to £36,720 | |
| Less Significant Facial Scarring | £4,820 to £16,770 | |
| Trivial Facial Scarring | £2,080 to £4,310 |
If you would like to learn more about how compensation payouts in the UK are awarded, you can contact our advisors. Moreover, you can read our illustrative case study below:
Case Study: Lizzie’s £63,500 Permanent Scar Settlement
Lizzie, a 28 year old claimant, experienced permanent facial scarring following a road traffic accident. A driver was speeding, when suddenly they crashed into the side of Lizzie’s car, this resulted in a very severe scar to her cheek, neck and chest. As part of her recovery, Lizzie required private dermatology consultations as well as scar revision surgery. Due to the aesthetic impact, Lizzie suffered intense anxiety, leaving her unable to work for a three month period, ultimately affecting her self confidence.
Lizzie’s solicitor was able to settle her claim for £63,500, with £55,000 of this being awarded for the scarring itself, in line with the suggestive figures within the Judicial College Guidelines. Moreover, Lizzie received £8,500 in special damages for the cost of psychological counselling, her lost earnings, the specialist dermatology appointments as well as her reconstructive surgery.
Please note that this case study is fictional. If you’d like an estimate of how much permanent scar compensation you could be awarded, please get in touch with our advisors today.
How Is Permanent Scar Compensation Calculated?
Permanent scar compensation is calculated by considering the two heads of loss you could receive.
All successful claims will result in general damages. As aforementioned, general damages is compensation for the pain and suffering your injuries have caused you. Factors taken into consideration when this head of loss is being calculated include:
- What injuries have been suffered and their severity
- If multiple injuries have been suffered
- The prognosis
- The effect the injuries will have on the person’s daily life
Special damages is compensation for any financial losses relating to your injury. For example, you could receive special damages compensation for:
- Loss of earnings, whether you had to take some time off work or stop working entirely.
- Medical treatment costs, including private medical treatment.
- Prescription costs
- At-home care expenses, including if a loved one had to care for you while your injuries healed.
To claim for these losses, you need to provide evidence of them. This can include payslips, invoices and receipts.
Contact our advisors today to see whether you may be eligible to make a permanent scar claim.
Am I Eligible To Make A Permanent Scar Claim?
To claim permanent scar compensation, your case must be able to meet the following criteria:
- You were owed a duty of care.
- This duty of care was breached.
- You suffered harm due to this breach.
A duty of care is an obligation an individual has to take reasonable steps for your safety. Examples of those who owe you a duty of care include:
- Your employer: Under the Health and Safety At Work etc. Act 1974, your employer owes you a duty of care to take reasonable actions to prevent you from coming to harm while working.
- Road users: Anyone who uses the roads must use them safely to avoid causing harm. They must also adhere to the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code as part of their duty of care.
- An occupier: An occupier is anyone in control of a public space. Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, they have a duty of care to ensure your reasonable safety when you are visiting that public place.
Some examples of when you may be able to make a compensation claim include:
- Your employer did not provide you with the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) at a factory handling chemicals, leading to severe facial scars and scalds after some liquid splashed on you unexpectedly.
- A driver becomes distracted due to texting while driving, causing a car crash. This causes the windows to shatter, and you suffer with facial and bodily scarring due to the broken shards of glass lacerating you.
- An overhead chandelier in a hotel lobby had not been secured properly. This causes it to fall and glass shards to scatter when it hits the ground, causing scarring to your hands and arms.
Get in contact if you’re unsure whether you are eligible to make a permanent scar compensation claim.
Claiming On Behalf Of Somebody Else
In certain circumstances, you are able to claim on behalf of someone else. These apply to cases where the claimant:
- Is under 18 and therefore not able to claim as they are a minor
- Lacks the mental capacity to claim themselves,
In these instances, you could apply to be a litigation friend and make a claim on their behalf. You would be responsible for making decisions in their best interest.
To learn more about acting as a litigation friend in a permanent scar claim, you can contact our advisors.
How Is The Severity Of A Scar Determined?
The severity of a scar is split into three categories: minor, moderate, and severe.
Minor: This type of scar is often visible on the face but has little impact. Generally, the scarring is minor. While it can affect your emotional health, it does not affect your physical health.
Moderate: Scarring that is classed as moderate usually has no effect on your physical health, but may affect your mental health dramatically.
Severe: A severe scar injury affects both your mental and physical health at a high level. Scarring of this kind is usually seen on the face or on other regularly exposed parts of the body.
Not all scars fit neatly into a category. Other factors will be considered when you claim permanent scar compensation.
The Different Types Of Scars
There are many different kinds of scars. Per the NHS, these are the various types of scars that could be suffered:
Fine-line scars: A minor type of scar, a fine-line scar may have a raised appearance at the start, but this becomes flat and fades away in most cases without treatment.
Atrophic scar: Often occurring after a person experiences acne or chickenpox, this type of scar presents as either a deep hole or a more sunken hole, though it isn’t overly big.
Keloid scar: A keloid scar is raised on the skin and hard to the touch. It will sometimes be bigger than the wound that caused it to appear, and it will cause discomfort when moved. The majority of keloid scars require treatment to fade.
Hypertrophic scar: A hypertrophic scar can appear raised on the skin but will not grow bigger than the wound it stemmed from. Though the scarred area of skin can present difficulties with mobility, the scar itself often fades by itself.
Contracture scar: A contracture scar most often occurs after the patch of skin is burned. It feels tight and can cause additional pain and difficulty with mobility.
To see whether you could be eligible to claim compensation for the specific type of scar you have suffered, you can contact our advisors.
What Evidence Do I Need To Support My Claim?
It’s important to have evidence to support your claim. This evidence needs to demonstrate what injuries you suffered as well as who was liable for them. Examples of evidence you could gather include:
- Medical records showing your injuries and the treatment you have received or are receiving
- Contact details of any witnesses to the incident
- Photos and videos of your injuries and the accident scene (where relevant).
- Video footage of the accident taking place
- Relevant reports, such as a police report or accident book report
A solicitor from our panel could help you with the evidence-gathering process as part of their services. Contact our advisors to learn more.
The Time Limits For Claiming Permanent Scar Compensation
There is a 3-year time limit to make any type of personal injury claim, including a permanent scar compensation claim, per the Limitation Act 1980. These 3 years begin from the date of the incident that caused your scars.
As previously mentioned, those under the age of 18 and lacking the mental capacity cannot make their own claim until they reach their 18th birthday or if they regain this mental capacity (provided a litigation friend hasn’t already claimed on their behalf prior to this point). In these cases, the time limit will run from their 18th birthday or date of recovery.
If you’re not sure whether you’re within the time limit to begin your claim, you can contact one of our advisors.
How Public Interest Lawyers Can Help You
Our panel of solicitors at Public Interest Lawyers are highly qualified in helping clients claim the compensation they deserve. In addition to negotiating the correct compensation settlement, a solicitor from our panel will:
- Connect you with specialists such as psychologists.
- Explain all legal terminology.
- Organise an independent medical assessment where necessary.
- Communicate with all parties.
- Advise you on evidence and take witness statements.
Moreover, our solicitors operate via a Conditional Fee Agreement, a type of No Win No Fee agreement. This means:
- You do not have to pay for their services prior to the permanent scar claim starting or as it’s ongoing
- Not having to pay for their completed work if the claim is not a success
- You pay a success fee if you receive compensation. This will be taken from your compensation as a legally restricted percentage.
Contact Our Panel
To see whether one of the No Win No Fee solicitors on our panel could help you with claiming permanent scar compensation, you can contact our advisors today:
- Call for free via 0800 073 8803.
- Click on the live chat box.
- Put your details into our contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions About Permanent Scar Compensation
Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding permanent scar compensation:
What Is Classed As A Permanent Scar For Compensation Purposes?
A permanent scar for compensation purposes is typically defined as an injury that results in a lasting, indelible, permanent mark on the skin. This can even lead to changes in skin texture or colour.
How Severe Does A Scar Have To Be To Claim Compensation?
A permanent scar compensation claim can be made for minor visible marks such as a single laceration or more severe life-changing disfigurement.
Can Facial Scars Result In Higher Compensation?
Yes, typically permanent facial scar claims can receive higher settlements due to the highly visible nature of these marks. Moreover, facial scarring can hugely impact an individual’s mental well-being and sense of confidence.
Does the Location of a Scar Affect Compensation Amounts?
Yes, where a scar is located will directly impact a compensation amount because if a scar is in a highly visible area such as the hands, neck or face, these will be much more difficult to conceal; whereas, scars on the back or torso can be hidden with more ease.
Can I Claim For Psychological Impact Caused By Scarring?
Yes, your permanent scar compensation could also encompass the psychological damage caused by your accident.
Are Children Eligible To Make Permanent Scar Claims?
No, children are unable to make a claim independently until they turn 18, as minors can’t make a claim of their own accord. However, as a parent or trusted adult, you could make a claim on their behalf by acting as their litigation friend. Get in touch with us to learn more today.
Can I Claim Compensation For Scars Caused By Medical Negligence?
Yes, you could seek compensation for a scar caused by medical negligence if we can show that this scar occurred following substandard treatment from a medical professional.
Will Cosmetic Surgery Affect My Permanent Scar Claim?
Yes, if the initial scar injury requires revision or corrective surgery, any associated costs could be added to your claim as special damages.
Do Permanent Scar Claims Require Medical Expert Evidence?
Medical expert evidence can be used to prove the permanence and severity of your scar. Additionally, a report from a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist can be used to confirm long-term prognosis.
Can I Make A Claim For Multiple Scars?
Yes, you can claim for multiple scars within your permanent scar compensation.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch with our advisors today. They’re on hand to answer any questions you might have.
Learn More
More guides by us:
- See how to make a chemical burn at work claim.
- Read our guide on serious accident at work compensation.
- See if you’re entitled to full pay after being injured at work.
External resources:
- See if you’re eligible for statutory sick pay from Gov.UK
- Advice for road users from Think!
- Learn what workplace incidents need to be reported from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Thank you for reading this guide on claiming permanent scar compensation.