How Psychological Evaluations Can Support Your Claim for Scars and Disfigurement

Suffering a serious workplace injury can affect more than just your physical health. When those injuries leave visible scars or disfigurement, the emotional and psychological impact can last just as long, sometimes even longer. Workers compensation claims related to visible injuries often focus on the physical aspects, but the mental toll they take is just as important.

For workers, adding a psychological evaluation to a claim can make a major difference in both the benefits received and how fully the injury is understood. Here at the Law Offices of Slape and Howard, in Wichita, Kansas, we help clients build strong workers compensation claims by addressing every angle of their injury, including the emotional and psychological effects. 

Why Scars and Disfigurement Matter in Workers Compensation Claims

Scars and disfigurement may not always prevent someone from doing their job, but they can still have a serious effect on the quality of life. Kansas workers compensation law recognizes that permanent scarring, especially to visible areas like the face, head, or hands, can justify additional compensation.

Even if your physical injury has healed, the permanent changes to your appearance might bring emotional pain or embarrassment that affects your daily interactions. It might lead to social withdrawal, avoidance of public places, or difficulties in professional relationships. These factors matter when it comes to calculating compensation.

The Emotional and Psychological Effects of Disfigurement

When people think of workplace injuries, they often think of broken bones, burns, or lost limbs. But for many workers, the emotional aftermath is just as difficult. Psychological effects can show up immediately or gradually over time.

Some of the most common emotional and psychological effects include:

• Depression: Many workers struggle with feeling hopeless or sad after suffering permanent disfigurement.

• Anxiety: Constant worry about how others perceive them can lead to social anxiety or general nervousness.

• PTSD: Traumatic accidents that lead to disfigurement may also result in flashbacks, nightmares, or severe emotional distress.

• Low self-esteem: Changes in appearance can cause people to feel less confident or even ashamed.

• Isolation: Workers might pull away from family and friends or avoid activities they used to enjoy.

These effects can seriously impact a person’s mental well-being and ability to return to work or engage in a full life.

How Psychological Evaluations Can Help Document the Impact

In a workers compensation case, it’s not enough to just say you feel depressed or anxious. You need to show clear, medical evidence of your mental health struggles. That’s where a psychological evaluation comes in.

Psychological evaluations are conducted by licensed professionals who assess mental and emotional health through interviews, questionnaires, and diagnostic tools. The result is a detailed report that:

• Identifies specific mental health conditions: Like depression, anxiety, or PTSD.

• Connects those conditions to the workplace injury: Making it easier to argue that they’re a direct result of the accident.

• Describes the severity of symptoms: Helping determine how much they interfere with daily life or work.

• Provides recommendations: Such as therapy, medication, or other treatments that may be needed.

This report can be a powerful piece of evidence to support your claim for additional compensation related to scarring and disfigurement. Reach out to our experienced attorneys for more information on psychological evaluations.

Transitioning From Physical Evidence to Emotional Harm

Often, workers compensation claims focus heavily on physical damage: X-rays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and lost wages. But visible injuries can cause lasting emotional wounds, too. As the physical scars begin to heal, psychological scars may emerge or grow worse.

That’s why it’s important not to overlook emotional harm when filing a workers compensation claim. If your injury left visible marks that affect how you feel about yourself or how others treat you, a psychological evaluation can provide the documentation needed to show those impacts.

When to Seek a Psychological Evaluation

You don’t need to wait for a formal diagnosis or for symptoms to become severe before seeking help. Early evaluations can support your workers compensation claim by showing a clear link between the injury and its emotional impact.

Some signs that it might be time to seek a psychological evaluation include:

• Ongoing Sadness or Mood Swings

• Loss of Interest in Normal Activities

• Avoiding Mirrors or Social Interaction

• Fear of Returning to Work

• Increased Irritability or Anger

• Trouble Sleeping or Eating

Even if you think what you're feeling is temporary, it's worth documenting. Mental health symptoms can affect your recovery and your ability to work.

Psychological Evaluations in the Legal Process

In Kansas, workers compensation claims involving disfigurement are taken seriously, especially when backed by medical and psychological evidence. A psychological evaluation provides credibility and structure to emotional claims, which can otherwise be hard to prove.

Attorneys and judges rely on documented evidence when reviewing cases. A psychological evaluation gives:

• Expert opinions: Licensed professionals add authority to your claim.

• Written assessments: These can be used in hearings or settlement discussions.

• Recommendations for future care: Which may increase the total value of your compensation.

Including psychological evidence can shift the perception of your injury from "only cosmetic" to something far more serious and deserving of fair compensation.

Working With Your Attorney to Strengthen Your Case

Your workers compensation attorney should be aware of the full scope of your injuries, both physical and psychological. When you work closely with your attorney, they can:

• Refer You to a Trusted Psychologist for an Official Evaluation

• Incorporate the Evaluation Into Your Legal Documents

• Argue for Additional Compensation Based on Emotional Distress

• Help You Prepare for Any Hearings Where Psychological Evidence Might Be Discussed

This partnership is essential for making sure your entire injury story is heard and considered.

Bridging the Gap Between Appearance and Quality of Life

Too often, scars and disfigurement are dismissed as just cosmetic issues. But for the person living with them, the impact goes much deeper. A psychological evaluation can help bridge the gap between what’s visible on the outside and how that appearance change affects your inner life.

You may not be able to return to your previous job, or you may face comments or stares from coworkers. These realities can wear on your confidence and emotional health over time. By presenting these experiences as part of your workers compensation claim, you help others understand the true cost of your injury.

Tips for Getting the Most From a Psychological Evaluation

To make your psychological evaluation as helpful as possible, it helps to be prepared and honest during the process. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Be open about your feelings: Don’t minimize your emotions. The more accurate you are, the more useful the evaluation will be.

• Share specific examples: Like times you avoided going out or felt uncomfortable at work.

• Mention any past mental health history: Even if it seems unrelated, it can provide context.

• Follow any recommendations: Doing so shows that you take your recovery seriously.

• Stay in communication with your attorney: Let them know about the results and how you’re feeling over time.

Being proactive about your mental health isn’t just good for your claim—it’s also an important step in your overall healing process.

Reach Out Today

Visible injuries like scars and disfigurement can leave lasting marks on your mental and emotional well-being. Workers compensation laws recognize the value of permanent injury claims, and psychological evaluations can give those claims the depth and legitimacy they need. By working with qualified attorneys, you can build a claim that truly reflects the full impact of your injury. Located in Wichita, Kansas, we serve clients throughout the state. Contact us today.