Unsightly scarring can often occur when an accident victim suffers injuries and subsequent surgery following a road accident. Scarring, particularly to women, is usually extremely distressing.
It is therefore important for photographs to be taken to show to doctors, opposing lawyers, claims assessors and judges.
The photographs should show what the scarring looks like to an observer, standing at least one or two metres from the injured person. Therefore the photos should also contain the face of the injured person so that the recipient of the photo can be in a similar position to the casual observer. Only in this way can it be determined whether or not the scarring is unsightly and likely to be embarrassing.
Furthermore, how is one to know that the scarring actually afflicts the person who is making the compensation claim if the photos are taken too close to the scarring itself and fails to include the face/identity of the person who alleges to have suffered the scarring?
Whilst this sounds very basic the majority of photographs of scarring which have been sent to me over many years by my clients are taken far too close and did not include proof of the identity of the person. Even professional photographers fall into this trap. Therefore it has always been my practice to take the photographs myself. If modesty is an issue for a female client I leave the room whilst one of my female staff takes the photographs.
If you or anyone you know has been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. For more information, and to arrange a free, no-obligation assessment of your claim, please call Stacks Goudkamp on 1800 251 800, or alternatively make an online enquiry.
Written by Tom Goudkamp OAM
