Legal Question in Workers Comp in Georgia

Is scarring compensable?

I have had 3 surgeries related to my otj. back injury..after 3rd surgery I was sent home on heavy medications and with visiting nurse once a day to change IV..I was not very mobile-but nobody to help me out. A few days after I got home, I tried to get to the kitchen to get some water to take medicine and my back gave way and I fell down and tried to grab the stove when I fell. What I grabbed was actually a pan of hot oil and I burned my stomach and arm very badly. The doctor made light of this and joked about my new ''tatoo''..I don't think it is so funny. Six months later, I still have huge burn marks and they look like they will be permanent. We are soon to be settling on the back aspect of w/c...am I due any compensation for the burns/scars..as well as any scars from surgery (10 inch incisional scar)? Thank you for your help.


Asked on 1/15/02, 12:47 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lisa Schrage Law Offices of Lisa S. Schrage, P.C.

Re: Is scarring compensable?

"Scarring" itself is not compensable unless you suffer an impairment from the scarring. Workers' compensation benefits are to compensate the injured worker for their inability to earn wages because of their injury. Unless the scar itself prevents or limits your ability to work (i.e. you are not to have any exposure to sunlight and you are a construction workers), you are not entitled to indemnity benefits. What you can claim during settlement negotiations is the emotional effects of the scarring has resulted in the need for psychological/psychiatric counseling. Also, any medical needed as a result of the oil burns should be covered under workers' compensation. Good luck.

Read more
Answered on 1/15/02, 12:58 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Workers' Compensation Law questions and answers in Georgia