Facial Injury and Scarring Settlement Amounts (2025)

Facial injuries carry unique significance in personal injury cases because the face is the most visible part of the body. Scars, disfigurement, and functional impairments affecting the face can have profound psychological and social impacts that go far beyond the physical injury itself. As a result, facial injury settlements tend to be higher than settlements for comparable injuries to other parts of the body.

This guide covers average settlement amounts for facial injuries, factors that affect your claim value, and strategies to maximize your compensation.

Types of Facial Injuries

Facial lacerations are cuts to the face that may result in permanent scarring. The severity depends on the depth, length, and location of the laceration. Facial fractures include broken nose, cheekbone fractures, orbital or eye socket fractures, and jaw fractures. Dental injuries include broken, chipped, or knocked-out teeth. Eye injuries range from corneal abrasions to permanent vision loss. Burns to the face can result from car accidents, chemical exposure, or other incidents.

Average Facial Injury Settlement Amounts

Minor facial lacerations with minimal scarring settle for $5,000 to $25,000. Significant facial scarring settle for $25,000 to $150,000. Facial fractures requiring surgery settle for $50,000 to $250,000. Jaw fractures requiring wiring or surgery settle for $75,000 to $300,000. Dental injuries requiring implants or reconstruction settle for $20,000 to $100,000. Eye injuries with permanent vision impairment settle for $100,000 to $500,000 or more. Severe facial disfigurement settle for $200,000 to $1,000,000 or more.

Why Facial Injury Settlements Are Higher

Facial injuries command higher settlements for several reasons. The face is always visible, making scars and disfigurement impossible to hide. Facial injuries have a significant psychological impact including depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, and reduced self-esteem. Juries are particularly sympathetic to plaintiffs with visible facial injuries. Facial injuries can affect basic functions such as eating, speaking, breathing, and seeing. The cost of plastic surgery and reconstructive procedures can be substantial.

Factors That Affect Your Settlement

The location of the injury on the face is critical. Injuries to the forehead, cheeks, and chin are more visible and command higher settlements. Injuries near the eyes or mouth can affect function and appearance simultaneously.

The size and visibility of scarring is a major factor. Larger, more prominent scars result in higher settlements. Scars that cannot be concealed with makeup or hair are valued higher than those that can be partially hidden.

The plaintiff's age and gender can affect the settlement. While this may seem unfair, younger plaintiffs and female plaintiffs historically receive higher settlements for facial scarring because of the perceived greater impact on their social and professional lives.

The need for plastic surgery or reconstructive procedures increases the settlement value. Even if plastic surgery can improve the appearance of a scar, the fact that surgery is needed demonstrates the severity of the injury. Additionally, plastic surgery may not completely eliminate the scar, leaving some permanent disfigurement.

The psychological impact of the facial injury is a significant component of the settlement. Depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, and post-traumatic stress disorder related to facial disfigurement are compensable damages.

Documenting Facial Injuries

Photograph your facial injuries extensively from the day of the accident through your entire recovery. Take photos in natural lighting from multiple angles. Document the progression of healing and any permanent scarring. Keep records of all medical treatment including emergency care, surgical procedures, and follow-up appointments. If you seek plastic surgery consultations, keep records of the recommended procedures and estimated costs. Document the psychological impact through treatment with a mental health professional.

Conclusion

Facial injury settlements range from $5,000 for minor lacerations to $1,000,000 or more for severe disfigurement. The visibility of the injury, the extent of scarring, the need for reconstructive surgery, and the psychological impact are the primary factors affecting settlement value.

Use our free settlement calculator to estimate what your facial injury case might be worth.