I was assaulted and punched in mustache area of face resulting in a minor scar however it is a scar. How much is smthing like that worth to sue?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

I was assaulted and punched in mustache area of face resulting in a minor scar however it is a scar. How much is smthing like that worth to sue?

Asked on March 24, 2009 under Personal Injury, Illinois

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 15 years ago | Contributor

It depends on the size and shape of the scar, how you looked before the scar (on a model a small scar would likely generate recovery of a far greater amount of damages than it would be worth for an average person), any financial impact on your ability to generate income, the cost of medical care, lost wages, etc. 

In addition, being punched in the face can produce very different results if the punch was in a fight you started, or that both of you agreed to, or was thrown without provocation.

A punch is usually an intentional tort and to discourage anti-social behavior courts can award punitive damages against the wrongdoer.

A scar is not a route to riches. One ever-present issue is whether the defendant has assets -- if he does not you can't get blood from a stone or money from someone who has nothing.

Even if the guy who punched you has insurance that will pay a judgment (and often intentional tors are excluded from coverage) you'll probably get nothing unless you are represented by a lawyer as insurance companies (who often have to defend their insured anyway) make mincemeat of people who are acting pro se.

Finally, there usually is a very short statute of limitations -- so unless you act quickly and file suit, the claim would be time barred.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption