Cosmetic Damage Claims

Posted 21/06/2012

Road Traffic Claims are generally associated with neck and back pain unless it was a very serious accident resulting in catastrophic injury. Occasionally the impact can cause seatbelt bruising to the shoulder and chest or bruising to the face caused by the airbag deploying. This is usually preventing more serious injuries from occurring and those types of bruising will settle within a few weeks. Injuries to the knees and lower legs can also occur as a result of contact with the dashboard. Occasionally, serious damage is caused to the cells under the skin and sometimes this will not return to normal without some surgical intervention.Ashtons Legal settled a case recently for a female passenger who sustained damage to her lower legs in this way. The cost of the cosmetic procedure formed part of the claim for damages and was accepted as part of a total settlement of ?18,000.Michael Wangermann of Ashtons Legal explains: “There is increasing pressure on claimants to settle very early after an accident. Some insurers even put forward offers where there is no medical evidence available as yet. Our duty as lawyers is to advise clients on what is fair and reasonable compensation based on medical evidence. The timing of getting that evidence and the questions we put to the experts are where we can make a tangible difference to claimants.”