When people think about personal injury cases, they usually focus on medical bills and lost wages. Scarring and disfigurement often get brushed off as cosmetic or something you just have to live with. Insurance companies lean hard into that idea.

In reality, permanent scars can change how someone feels about themselves, how they dress, how they interact with others, and how they move through the world. Under Georgia law, those changes matter, and they are absolutely compensable.

At Kalka Law Group, we take scarring and disfigurement seriously because the law does, and because our clients live with these injuries every day.

Are Scars Compensable in Georgia?

Yes. Scarring and disfigurement fall under pain and suffering damages in Georgia personal injury cases. Georgia does not place a cap on pain and suffering damages in standard injury cases, including those involving permanent scars.

There is no formula. There is no chart. The value depends on how the scar affects the person who has it. It is best to work with an experienced personal injury attorney who has handled disfigurement cases before as they will do all they can to secure you fair compensation for what you have experienced.

Scar vs. Disfigurement

People often ask when a scar becomes “disfigurement.” Legally speaking, a scar is disfigurement. There is no magic line you cross. These are the following things that matter to the courts in disfigurement cases:

  • Is the scar permanent?
  • Is it visible?
  • Where is it on the body?
  • How does it affect the person’s daily life?

A small scar hidden under clothing is different from a permanent facial scar. Georgia law allows that difference to matter.

How Scarring Is Actually Proven in Injury Cases

Insurance companies love to say, “It will fade,” or “Give it a year.” We do not argue opinions. We bring proof.

Professional Scar Photography

We document scars with professional photos, often using a ruler in the image. That shows:

  • Length
  • Width
  • Overall size

It takes the guesswork out of the conversation and keeps the injury from being minimized.

Plastic Surgeon Scar Revision Evaluations

This is one of the most important steps in a scarring case.

We send clients to a plastic surgeon for a scar revision evaluation. That doctor addresses the questions insurance companies always dodge:

  • Is the scar permanent?
  • Can it be improved?
  • If so, by how much?
  • What would revision cost?

The plastic surgeon gives an opinion to a reasonable degree of medical certainty. That shuts down the “it will go away” argument very quickly.

Sometimes the answer is that the scar cannot be meaningfully improved. Sometimes revision is possible, but not to 100%. Either way, having that opinion changes the value of the case.

Where the Scar Is Located Matters

Visibility of the scar matters a lot in permanent disfigurement cases. Scars tend to carry more weight when they are on areas like:

  • The face
  • The neck
  • The arms
  • The legs

A scar that affects how someone dresses or feels in public is different from one that stays hidden. Georgia law allows juries to consider that reality.

The Impact of Permanent Disfigurement

Not everyone experiences a scar the same way. That matters too. A permanent scar may mean:

  • Feeling uncomfortable wearing certain clothes
  • Being self conscious in professional settings
  • Constantly thinking about how others see you

A visible scar on a woman who no longer feels comfortable wearing a dress is going to be evaluated differently than a scar on a man’s leg that does not affect his confidence or lifestyle. The law recognizes that difference when determining permanent disfigurement case settlements.

Different Types of Scarring and Disfigurement

Keloid Scarring

Scarring is not the same for everyone. Keloid scarring is a type of abnormal scarring where the scar keeps growing instead of healing flat and fading over time. The scar can become thick, raised, firm, and sometimes itchy or painful, and it often grows beyond the original injury. Keloid scars happen when the body produces too much collagen during healing, and they are much more common in people with darker skin tones. Even a small cut, surgery, dog bite, or burn can turn into a large, permanent keloid scar. What makes keloid scarring especially important in personal injury cases is that it is usually permanent and very difficult to treat. Surgery often does not fix it and can sometimes make it worse. Because these scars do not fade and have limited treatment options, they can have a lasting impact on appearance, comfort, and confidence, which is why they carry real weight when evaluating pain and suffering damages.

When keloid scarring is involved, the injury is often more permanent and harder to correct. That directly affects the value of the claim.

Surgical Scars

A common misconception is that surgical scars do not count. They absolutely do. If surgery was required because of the injury, the resulting scar is part of the claim. Surgical scars are usually permanent. Anyone who has had surgery knows those scars do not disappear with time.

Some common surgeries that lead to permanent visible scars include:

  • Orthopedic surgeries
  • ACL repairs
  • Abdominal surgeries

Those scars are real and lasting, and Georgia law allows compensation for them.

Dog Bite Cases and Permanent Scars

Dog bite cases almost always involve scarring. In serious cases, scar revision estimates are critical. Without medical opinions, insurance companies routinely argue that dog bite scars will fade or are minor. Once a plastic surgeon weighs in, those arguments usually stop. Handled correctly, scarring often becomes one of the strongest parts of a dog bite case.

Emotional Impact of Permanent Disfigurement Does Not Always Require a Therapist

Not every scar requires a mental health professional to prove emotional harm.

In many cases, the location, size, and permanence of the scar speak for themselves. A permanent facial scar or a visible disfigurement naturally affects confidence and daily life.

In extreme cases, such as severe dog attacks or traumatic injuries, mental health professionals may be involved. Most of the time, the physical evidence is enough.

How Insurance Companies Try to Downplay Scarring and Disfigurement

Georgia law does not cap pain and suffering damages in personal injury cases involving scarring and disfigurement. The value depends on evidence, credibility, and impact, not an arbitrary number. Because of this insurance companies often argue the validity of scarring and disfigurement in personal injury cases.

Common tactics include:

  • Saying the scar will fade
  • Calling it minor
  • Claiming no future treatment is needed

These arguments fall apart when scars are properly documented and supported by medical opinions. That is why scarring cases must be handled carefully from the start.

Speak with The Kalka Law Group About Your Scarring and Disfigurement Case in Georgia

Scarring cases are not complicated, but they are specific. If you miss a step, and the value of your permanent disfigurement claim drops fast.

Proper handling means:

  • Clear photographic documentation
  • Medical opinions on permanence
  • Scar revision evaluations
  • Understanding how the scar affects the individual

When scarring is handled correctly, it can significantly change the outcome of a case. At The Kalka Law Group, we make sure it is handled the right way from day one. Contact our law office today to set up a free case consultation.