blog home Personal Injury The Long-Term Treatment Costs of Scarring After a Personal Injury in Atlanta

The Long-Term Treatment Costs of Scarring After a Personal Injury in Atlanta

By Grant Law Office on December 15, 2025

The true costs of scarring are not limited to initial medical treatment. Scarring can effect how a person looks, feels, and interacts with the world for years to come. Treatment may require years of medical care, cosmetic procedures, and psychological support. That’s why determining fair compensation for disfigurement injury claims demands careful evaluation.

The Atlanta personal injury lawyers at Grant Law Office know how to valuate the long-term costs of scarring, and how these expenses influence the damages awarded in Georgia personal injury cases.

Scarring Is a Serious Injury

The effects of scarring can be long-lasting or even permanent. And the impact extends beyond physical appearance:

• Physical discomfort: Scars cause pain, itchiness, or restricted movement.
• Psychological toll: Visible scars may lead to anxiety, depression, or diminished self-esteem.
• Social and professional challenges: Victims may experience self-consciousness in public or workplace discrimination.

Injuries That Cause Scarring

Scarring may result from a wide range of accidents, including:

• Car and truck collisions that cause burns, lacerations, or crushing injuries.
• Workplace accidents involving machinery or chemicals.
• Slip-and-fall incidents that leave deep cuts or abrasions.
• Defective products that cause explosions or fires.

Medical Treatments for Scarring

Scarring is rarely resolved with one surgery or procedure. Victims often face years of costly  treatments and surgery.

Scar Revision Surgery

One of the most common long-term treatments is scar revision surgery. This procedure may involve excision, grafting, or laser treatment to improve the scar’s appearance and functionality of the scarred area. Some patients require multiple revision surgeries over time, especially if the scar affects mobility or continues to worsen.

Skin Grafting

For burns or large wounds, skin grafting may be necessary. This complex procedure involves transplanting skin from another part of the body. It can carry risks of infection, rejection, or additional scarring.

Laser and Dermabrasion Treatments

Many victims undergo multiple rounds of laser therapy or dermabrasion to reduce discoloration, flatten raised scars, or improve texture. These treatments often require repeated sessions, each adding to the total expense.

Long-Term Medications and Injections

Some scars require steroid injections or ongoing topical treatments to reduce inflammation or improve healing. These costs add up significantly over time.

Psychological and Emotional Effects

Scarring effects more than the body. The emotional burden can be just as significant as the physical injury.

• Self-esteem and confidence issues: Visible scars, especially on the face or hands, may lead to withdrawal from social activities.
• Anxiety and depression: Victims may struggle with trauma reminders or difficulty accepting permanent disfigurement.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Some scars serve as painful reminders of the accident, fueling ongoing psychological distress.

Victims may require therapy, counseling, or psychiatric care. Juries recognize that the impact of scarring isn’t just cosmetic; it alters lives.

Damages Available for Scarring

In Georgia, injury victims have the right to seek economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

• Current and future medical bills (surgeries, grafts, medications, therapy)
• Lost wages during multiple procedures and recovery
• Reduced earning capacity if scarring affects career opportunities

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering caused by long-term treatment and discomfort
• Loss of enjoyment of life due to changes in appearance or mobility
• Compensation for psychological distress
• Social stigma and impact on personal relationships

Georgia law allows you to seek punitive damages if the injury was caused by gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

Valuing Scarring in Disfigurement Injury Claims

Accurately valuing injury damages in these cases may requires expert testimony from medical specialists, psychologists, and economists.

For example:

• A facial scar on a young professional may have significant career and personal repercussions.
• Scars across joints may impair mobility, requiring additional surgeries.
• Children may need ongoing treatment as they grow, since scars often worsen or require revision with age.

Insurance Company Tactics

It’s common for insurance companies to downplay scarring injuries, arguing that treatments are cosmetic and not medically necessary. They may also claim that the victim is overstating emotional harm. These arguments ignore the profound, real-world impact of disfigurement.

Victims should be cautious of early settlement offers. Once accepted, you cannot return for additional funds when future surgeries or counseling become necessary. Working with an experienced Atlanta injury lawyer ensures that medical, cosmetic, and psychological damages are included in your claim.

Protecting Your Right to Full Compensation

If you’ve suffered scarring after an accident, these steps can strengthen your disfigurement injury claim:

1. Seek immediate medical treatment and follow through with all recommended care.
2. Document your injuries with photos and records from the very beginning.
3. Track ongoing expenses, including therapy, counseling, and out-of-pocket cosmetic treatments.
4. Keep a journal of your daily challenges, from physical discomfort to social and emotional struggles.
5. Consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can bring in medical experts to project future costs.

Reasons to Choose Our Firm

At Grant Law Office, we understand how scarring impacts your life. With over 60 years of combined experience, our husband and wife team takes a hands-on approach to each case. We don’t treat claims as numbers; we see the people behind them. Wayne Grant is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for personal injury law, and he has an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Key Takeaways

• Scarring after an accident involves significant long-term costs, including scar revision surgery, laser treatments, and psychological care.
• Georgia law allows victims to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including compensation for emotional trauma.
• Insurance companies often undervalue scarring claims by minimizing future costs or dismissing emotional suffering.
• Accurate valuation requires expert testimony and strong legal representation.
• An experienced Atlanta scarring and disfigurement lawyer can ensure your injury damages reflect the true costs of your scarring injury.

Speak With a Trusted Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer

If you are dealing with the physical and emotional impact of scarring after an accident, don’t let the insurance company downplay your damages. Grant Law Office will file a claim that reflects the long-term costs of your injuries.

Call (404) 995-3955 to schedule your free consultation today.