A work accident can change your appearance in an instant. When an injury leaves a permanent mark on your skin, the pain isn’t just on the surface. It can affect your confidence and your daily life long after the initial healing is done. If your accident happened at work in Eastern PA, you likely have questions about what comes next. You need answers from a lawyer who handles these specific workers’ compensation claims. Attorney Paula Robinson focuses her practice on helping people get the compensation they are owed for these life-altering injuries.
What Is a “Disfigurement” Benefit in Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp?
Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law includes a specific, one-time payment for people who suffer a permanent disfigurement. This isn’t for the temporary pain of your injury, but for the permanent mark left behind. The law is very specific about this benefit.
For your injury to qualify, the damage must be to your head, face, or neck. A judge will evaluate the scar or burn to determine how many weeks of compensation you should receive. This amount is based on a set formula tied to your pre-injury wages. It’s a separate benefit from payments for lost wages or medical bills. Paula Robinson’s job is to present your case clearly to a judge to argue for the full value of your claim.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what qualifies:
- The disfigurement must be permanent.
- The injury must be to the head, face, or neck area.
- The scar must be considered “unsightly” and not normally present on the body.
- It is awarded in addition to your other workers’ compensation benefits.
Proving the Full Impact of Your Scar or Burn Injury
Showing the true extent of your disfigurement takes more than just submitting a photograph. For these claims, you will most likely have to appear in person before a workers’ compensation judge. This gives the judge a direct view of the permanent damage and how it affects your appearance. A picture doesn’t always capture the full story of the texture, depth, or visibility of the damage to your skin.
Paula prepares you for this hearing. She helps the judge see not just the scar, but its real-world impact. Does it pull at your skin when you speak? Does it change your facial expressions? Is it prominent in a way that affects your social or professional interactions? Showing this context is key to helping a judge assign a fair value to your disfigurement. Nerve damage underneath the scar can also contribute to a finding of disfigurement due to the changes it can make to your appearance.
How Permanent Scars Create More Than Just Skin Damage
A visible, permanent injury is a constant reminder of a workplace accident. The effects go far deeper than the skin itself. Many people experience significant emotional pain, anxiety, or depression as a result. This can impact your personal relationships, your social life, and your general mental health. The accident caused a physical injury, but the consequences can ripple through your entire well-being.
Your claim should reflect this reality. You may require ongoing therapy or other treatments to cope with the psychological impact of the injury. The law allows for these medical needs to be covered as part of your workers’ comp claim. Paula Robinson looks at the complete picture of your health, making certain that your need for both physical and mental health therapy is properly documented and fought for.
The Statute of Limitations Is a Strict Deadline for Your Claim
You have a limited time to file a claim for a disfigurement benefit. The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act sets a hard deadline, known as the statute of limitations. For disfigurement, you must file your claim petition within three years from the date of your work accident. If you miss this window, you likely lose the right to pursue that benefit forever.
This deadline is strict and unforgiving. Waiting too long can stop you from getting the compensation you are owed. Changes in your employment or delays in the healing process can complicate matters. This is why speaking with a lawyer like Paula as early as possible is a very important step.
Paula Pursues Compensation for All Your Losses, Not Just Your Scar
The burn or scar is a serious part of your injury, but it is often just one piece of a much larger puzzle. A serious workplace accident creates many challenges, from lost income to immense pain and suffering and ongoing medical care. Paula Robinson helps injured workers fight for all the benefits they are entitled to receive.
A severe injury that causes disfigurement can also cause other problems that require legal action. Paula also provides legal guidance for injured workers facing issues with:
- Workers’ Compensation Disability Benefits
- Support after Catastrophic and Traumatic Workplace Injuries
- Claims involving workplace Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Cases involving Workplace Slip and Falls
- Injuries from incidents with Heavy Equipment or Falling Objects
Talk About Your Injury With a Lawyer Who Can Help
That Lawyer? Paula Robinson
Have you been through a workplace accident that left you with permanent burns or scars? You’ve dealt with the initial pain, the treatments, and now you’re left with a permanent change to your appearance. Making a connection with a lawyer who concentrates on these exact cases is a strong first step toward getting the benefits you are owed.
This is why Paula Robinson is certified in the practice of workers’ compensation law by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Section on Workers’ Compensation Law as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. She has demonstrated a tested commitment to this area of law, and she only represents injured workers. You don’t have to deal with the insurance company and the courts by yourself. Contact Robinson Law LLC to talk with Paula about getting fair compensation for your burn, scar, or other disfigurement injury.