Scarring & Disfigurement Attorneys in Reading
Fighting for Permanent Scarring Victims Since 1959
Permanent scarring and disfigurement change more than your appearance. They affect self-image, relationships, career, and daily life long after the physical wound has closed. At Liever, Hyman & Potter, we’ve represented wrongful injury victims since 1959, making us the longest-established motor vehicle injury law firm in the area. Our four attorneys handle only wrongful injury and death claims. No real estate, no business contracts. Virtually all of our combined 115-plus years of practice have been devoted to cases like yours.
If you’ve suffered permanent scarring from a car crash, workplace incident, dog bite, or medical error, you may have legal claims that go well beyond your medical bills.
Call Liever, Hyman & Potter today at (610) 885-1991 for a free consultation. You owe us nothing in fees or case expenses until we recover money for you.
Why Victims Choose Liever, Hyman & Potter
Insurance companies frequently undervalue scarring and disfigurement claims, especially when damages involve pain, suffering, or emotional harm rather than itemized medical bills. Our attorneys know how insurers approach these claims, and our record matters at the negotiating table and in the courtroom.
In a recent three-year period, we recovered more than 500 awards and settlements, including numerous million-dollar and multi-million-dollar results across our practice areas. Since our founding, we’ve won thousands of recoveries for victims and their families, more than any other firm located in the Berks and Schuylkill County area.
Lead attorney John R. Badal has been admitted to the Pennsylvania bar since 1978 and to the U.S. Supreme Court since 1991, devoting his entire legal career to representing wrongful injury victims. He holds membership in both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, recognitions tied directly to documented results at those dollar thresholds. A significant share of our clients come through referrals from other law firms and satisfied former clients. That reputation within the legal community is why Liever, Hyman & Potter is recognized as “The Lawyers’ Lawyers.”
Every scarring and disfigurement case we accept is carefully reviewed and assigned to a Civil Trial attorney qualified to handle it. Trial readiness strengthens settlement negotiations and protects clients when insurers refuse fair value in front of a Berks County jury.
Common Causes of Scarring & Disfigurement in Reading, PA
Scars and disfigurement are permanent alterations caused by injury or illness. They can take many forms, from raised keloid scars to deep tissue damage. Here are the most common causes we see:
Car Accidents
Car accidents are a leading cause of permanent scarring and disfigurement in the Reading area. High-speed impacts, shattered glass, and twisted metal can cause deep lacerations and burn injuries that leave lasting marks. Victims often require multiple surgeries and long-term treatment to manage these injuries.
Workplace Injuries
Workplace injuries, particularly in construction, manufacturing, and other high-risk industries common throughout Berks County, can cause chemical burns, severe lacerations, and other disfiguring harm. Workers’ compensation benefits are often available in these situations, and a separate personal injury claim may be possible when a negligent third party contributed to the incident.
Medical Malpractice
Surgical errors and improper wound care can produce significant scarring and disfigurement that may have been prevented. These injuries result from the negligence of healthcare providers. A medical malpractice claim can help victims obtain compensation for their harm.
Dog Bites
Dog bites can cause serious facial scarring, particularly in children. The physical and emotional consequences can be lifelong. Personal injury claims against the animal’s owner may cover medical expenses, corrective procedures, and emotional distress.
Burn Injuries
Burns from fires, chemical exposure, or electrical accidents can result in severe disfigurement requiring skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and long-term treatment. These cases often involve significant economic and noneconomic damages that must be carefully documented before any settlement is reached.
Damages Available in Pennsylvania Scarring & Disfigurement Claims
Victims of scarring and disfigurement in Pennsylvania may be entitled to both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages include past and future medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and the cost of corrective or reconstructive procedures. Noneconomic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Pennsylvania law recognizes that permanent disfigurement causes lasting harm beyond medical bills. Scar location, visibility, permanency, and functional impact all affect how courts and insurers value a claim. Scars on the face, neck, and hands carry greater weight because they’re difficult to conceal. Settling before a scar has fully stabilized can result in compensation that doesn’t account for future revision procedures or long-term emotional consequences. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available.
Workers’ Compensation for On-the-Job Disfigurement
If your scarring occurred at work, Pennsylvania law provides a separate and specific compensation path. Under Section 306(c)(22) of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, a worker who sustains serious and permanent disfigurement of the head, face, or neck that produces an unsightly appearance may be entitled to up to 275 weeks of compensation benefits, regardless of whether any wages were lost. A workers’ compensation judge personally inspects the disfigurement to determine the award, and a scar may be considered permanent if it remains visible six months after the injury.
Workers’ compensation disfigurement benefits under current Pennsylvania law cover only the head, face, and neck. Disfigurement to other body areas may be pursued through a personal injury claim if a negligent third party was involved. When an employer’s negligence isn’t the only factor, an injured worker may have both a workers’ compensation claim and a separate personal injury claim. Pennsylvania workers should report workplace injuries to their employer within 120 days. At Liever, Hyman & Potter, we review all available claim paths to help Reading-area workers understand the full scope of their options.
Serving Reading & the Surrounding Region
Our scarring and disfigurement attorneys serve clients throughout Berks County, as well as the Lancaster, Lebanon, Dauphin, Montgomery, Lehigh, Northampton, and Chester County regions. We also handle nursing home neglect and a full range of wrongful injury claims.
Contact Liever, Hyman & Potter today at (610) 885-1991 to discuss your case. There are no fees and no case expenses until we recover for you.
What Our Clients Say
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Working with Liever, Hyman & Potter Law Firm was an excellent experience from start to finish.Christie
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Andrew Fick and his team helped me with everything I needed in pursuing a personal injury case.Carlos A.
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I would highly recommend Liever, Hyman & Potter.Vanessa S.
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Andy Fick and his Liever, Hyman & Potter team fought hard for me.David D.
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He is a well-spoken and passionate attorney who actually cares about his clients.jeffrey r.
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He has always been responsive and professional, taking the time to review my issues.Howard J.
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Not only are the attorneys at this firm dedicated in obtaining successful results, more importantly, they also care about the personal well-being and health of their clients.Kevin B.
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Attorney John Badal represented me and did an outstanding job. The firm is very honest and upfront and does not blow smoke.Roxanne M.
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John went above and beyond to help me.Sean B.
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Between Stacey (paralegal) and Mike, they kept me up to date with emails, phone calls, and in-person meetings; making the entire process seamless.Blayne H.
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Andy gets the job done; he went above and beyond, exceeding my expectations.Nancy K.
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Everyone was thorough, professional, and supportive.Wendy B.
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My friend was impressed by the firm's compassion and genuine concern for his son's well-being.SARA P.
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The professionals of Liever, Hyman & Potter have a robust team of professionals who vigorously and diligently advocate.Adam N.
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Contacted me back very quickly, very professional.P N.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need?
The legal world is a complicated environment with countless nuances to take into account. As a result, there is a wide range of specialized attorneys dedicated to specific legal areas, such as criminal lawyers who handle criminal defense. With so many fields, it can be difficult to determine which kind of lawyer is best suited for your circumstances. If you call Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C. and offer an overview of your situation, then they can help narrow down what kind of personal injury lawyer is best suited to handle your case. Our law firm was founded in 1959 and is knowledgeable in numerous areas of personal injury law.
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Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
After sustaining a severe injury, you will need to pay medical bills for treatment, potentially miss time at work, and experience pain and suffering. With a qualified and skilled lawyer’s assistance, it is possible for you to receive fair and full compensation for these damages. A knowledgeable attorney will increase your chances of reaching an acceptable settlement agreement and receiving more compensation than you would on your own. Additionally, personal injury lawyers can help settle a liability dispute to determine who is responsible for an accident.
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How Will I Know I Have a Case?
No one has to make this important decision by themselves. Contact Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C., and set up a free consultation to go over your situation in detail. Our attorneys will be able to identify who you can sue and what you can expect to gain based on the facts of the accident and the laws in Pennsylvania. In most scenarios, you’ll have a case if it can be proven that someone acted carelessly and caused injuries. Applying this standard is more complex than it may initially appear, which is why it is important to consult us.
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When to Call a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
If you’ve sustained severe injuries in a car accident, you should reach out to a lawyer shortly after the crash takes place. Not only will a professional car accident attorney help you gather vital evidence before it is lost to help your case, but they can also handle communications with your insurance company and deal with the careless driver’s insurance company.
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What Should I Do if an Attorney or Insurance Adjuster Calls Me?
You should never speak with insurance adjusters for someone else involved in the accident. While they may sound friendly and sympathetic to your case, they are almost certainly trying to get statements from you that would reduce or eliminate the liability of their insured. This is also true when an attorney for another person contacts you.
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How to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?
As previously mentioned, filing a medical malpractice lawsuit starts with contacting a lawyer. However, it is crucial that we have sufficient information before filing the claim because malpractice claims can be significantly more complicated than other lawsuits. Our dedicated attorneys will collect all of your medical records and thoroughly review them.
Your medical malpractice attorney must determine whether the case warrants a lawsuit before they file with the court. If we do go forward, we will rely on highly qualified doctors who will be able to explain why you or your loved one were wrongfully harmed by medical treatment.