Scarring & Disfigurement Benefits in Reading, PA

Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Head, Neck, & Face Injuries in Berks County

Some work injuries leave a permanent mark. Beyond lost wages and medical expenses, Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law provides a separate, additional benefit for serious, permanent disfigurement of the head, neck, or face that is unsightly and not usually incident to the employment. Section 306(c)(22) of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act defines this benefit specifically, and it applies whether the scar came from the accident itself or from surgical treatment for a covered work injury.

At Liever, Hyman & Potter, lead attorney John R. Badal has chaired the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Berks County Bar Association and has devoted his entire legal career to representing wrongful injury victims since his admission to the Pennsylvania bar in 1978. Our four attorneys have more than 115 combined years of practice devoted entirely to wrongful injury and death claims. When you pursue a disfigurement petition before a Workers’ Compensation Judge, that kind of undivided focus matters. 

Call us at (610) 885-1991 for a free consultation about your scarring or disfigurement claim in Reading. You pay nothing unless we recover for you.

What Pennsylvania Law Requires to Qualify

To receive scarring and disfigurement benefits under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, the disfigurement must be serious, permanent, and unsightly, and it must not be usually incident to the employment. The injury must involve the head, neck, or face. For the neck, the compensable area extends to above the junction of the clavicle, scapula, and sternum. Scarring below that anatomical line does not qualify under current law.

A scar is generally considered permanent once it has remained stable and visible for approximately six months. One point that surprises many workers: you don’t need to have missed any time from work to qualify. Disfigurement benefits compensate for the visible scar itself, not for wage loss, so a worker who returned to full duty can still pursue a valid disfigurement claim.

Insurance carriers rarely volunteer these benefits. In most cases, an attorney must file a disfigurement petition and present the claim at a hearing before a Workers’ Compensation Judge. The insurer doesn’t set the benefit amount.

What Injuries Can Lead to Disfigurement Claims?

Contact our attorney for a free consultation to evaluate any injuries you may have sustained while on the job. We can advise you about the compensability of your injuries, including whether you may have a disfigurement claim under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. The types of accidents and injuries that could entitle you to workers’ compensation benefits for disfigurement to your head, neck, or face include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

• Burns from fire, liquids, electrocution, and explosions
• Serious cuts and lacerations
• Severe bites and wounds from an animal attack
• Surgical scars received during treatment for your work injury, such as cervical spine surgery
• Scarring caused by a defective product
• Scarring and disfigurement caused by machinery and equipment
• Automobile and roadside accidents

How a Workers’ Compensation Judge Determines Your Award

A Workers’ Compensation Judge personally views the scar or disfigurement before making any award, either at an in-person hearing or through a virtual proceeding. This personal inspection is central to the process. The judge has wide discretion under Pennsylvania law, with specific loss benefits ranging from zero to 275 weeks of compensation.

The weekly benefit is based on the injured worker’s average weekly wage, typically paid at 66 and two-thirds percent, and as high as 90 percent for lower-wage earners. The factors the judge weighs include:

• The location of the scar and its visibility from a normal conversational distance
• The size, width, and depth of the disfigurement
• Discoloration and contrast with the surrounding skin
• Overall appearance and how unsightly the scar is in context

Medical evidence and photographs documenting the scar’s appearance and permanency are central to presenting a strong claim. Disfigurement benefits are paid after any period of total or partial disability benefits has ended. Building the clearest possible record at this stage is where experienced representation makes a measurable difference.

Why Reading-Area Workers Choose Liever, Hyman & Potter

We’ve been fighting for injured workers and wrongful injury victims since 1959, and in a recent three-year period alone, our attorneys recovered more than 500 awards and settlements. Since our founding, we’ve won thousands of awards and settlements for victims and their families, more than any other firm located in the Berks and Schuylkill County area. Every case is handled by a Civil Trial attorney qualified to evaluate and pursue it.

Our practice is narrow by design. We handle only wrongful injury and death claims: no real estate closings, no business contracts, and no unrelated work. Every argument we make is on behalf of someone who was hurt through no fault of their own. John R. Badal holds membership in both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, recognitions tied to documented case results at those thresholds. He was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1991 and has never practiced in any other area of law.

A significant portion of our clients come to us through referrals from other law firms, satisfied former clients, and community members who know our record. Within the legal community, Liever, Hyman & Potter is recognized as “The Lawyers’ Lawyers.” When other attorneys refer their clients to us, that’s a signal of our standing that no advertisement can replicate.

Areas We Serve

At Liever, Hyman & Potter, our attorneys serve Reading, PA, and many nearby areas. If you were injured in a workplace accident, our attorneys can fight on your behalf. Contact us if you live in the following locations:

• Berks County, PA
• Montgomery County, PA
• Schuylkill County, PA
• Lancaster County, PA
• Lebanon County, PA

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Receive Disfigurement Benefits if I’ve Already Returned to Work?

Yes. Pennsylvania workers’ comp disfigurement benefits compensate for the visible scar itself, not lost wages. A worker who returns to work without restriction can still pursue a disfigurement claim under Section 306(c)(22).

How Long Do I Have Before I Need to File?

Permanency is typically established once the scar has been stable for about six months. The claim should be evaluated by an attorney promptly, since deadlines and procedural requirements apply to the broader workers’ compensation case. Don’t wait to find out where you stand.

Does the Insurance Company Decide How Much I Receive?

No. A Workers’ Compensation Judge personally inspects the disfigurement and determines the award based on specific factors under Pennsylvania law. The insurer doesn’t unilaterally set the benefit amount, which is one reason having an attorney present the claim before the WCJ matters.

No Fee Unless We Recover for You

If you’ve suffered scarring or disfigurement as a result of a work injury or injury-related medical treatment and would like to know if you may be eligible for workers’ scarring and disfigurement benefits, contact Liever, Hyman & Potter. You won’t have to pay a cent for the evaluation of your claim and we charge a contingent fee based on a percentage of the awards and settlements we recover. Our agreement says that you won’t have to repay any of the expenses we’ve advanced on your behalf unless we recover money for you. This policy applies to every client and every case we take.

In addition to handling disfigurement claims, we provide comprehensive representation for injured workers. Whether you need assistance fighting a denial of claims or reduction or termination of benefits, winning a lump sum settlement, or pursuing workplace injury lawsuits, our legal team is ready to help you in your time of need.

Call (610) 885-1991 to scheudle your free initial consultation today.