Facial Trauma

Facial trauma refers to any injury to the face or upper jaw bone. This includes injuries to the skin, underlying skeleton, neck, cheek, nose, eyes, mouth and teeth, often resulting from physical assaults, sports injuries, accidents, or falls. These injuries can affect not only the appearance and function of the face but can also have significant psychological impacts. When these injuries are caused by someone else’s negligence, there are often strong grounds to bring a personal injury compensation claim.

What are common symptoms and treatments for facial trauma?

Common symptoms include swelling, bruising, pain, bleeding, and broken bones, often leading to difficulty with breathing, seeing, or moving the jaw. Treatments vary based on the injury’s severity: minor injuries may only require ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain medication, while more serious cases might need surgical intervention to repair fractures or reconstruct facial features. In some instances, dental work is necessary for damaged teeth. Ongoing physical therapy and psychological support may also be part of the recovery process, especially in cases of severe trauma or disfigurement.

What are the most common causes of facial trauma?

The most common causes of facial trauma include car accidents, falls, sports injuries, and physical assaults. Accidents involving bicycles and motorcycles are also frequent contributors. Workplace accidents, especially in construction and industrial settings, can lead to facial injuries such as burns and fractures. Less frequently, facial trauma can result from animal attacks or assaults using corrosive substances.

In what sort of circumstances is it possible to bring an injury claim for a concussion?

An injury claim for facial trauma can typically be brought in circumstances where the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence or intentional action. This includes car accidents where another driver is at fault, workplace incidents due to unsafe conditions or lack of safety measures, assaults, or injuries from defective products. In such cases, you can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering. You will need to consult an experienced personal injury solicitor to help you navigate the legal process and secure a fair settlement.

How much compensation can be claimed?

Section 9 of the Judicial Council’s Personal Injuries Guidelines sets out the typical general damages awards for facial disfigurement injuries. Injuries resulting in severe scarring may result in an award in the region of €80,000-€200,000 (see page 54 of the PDF). In addition, successful claimants may also be awarded special damages to cover out of pocket expenses such as medical bills and income lost due to time off work.