Compensation for Scarred Finger?

by Alyssa
(Orlando, Florida)

While working at a restaurant in Orlando, I was emptying a glass of ice in the "dishes" area and the glass broke and a piece fell on my thumb. It was heavy enough to cut pretty deep, about a 1 inch gash between the two knuckles of my thumb.

Is the restaurant responsible for paying a settlement? Should I get extra compensation because of the scar I now have?

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ANSWER for "Compensation for Scarred Finger?":

Alyssa (Orlando, Florida);

Hopefully you reported the incident and a written incident report was created. If so you are on the right track. You mentioned scarring. To verify scarring as a basis for a claim the scar must be documented. Documentation should include a written Medical Narrative from a dermatologist or Plastic surgeon.

The Medical Narrative will include a Diagnosis and Prognosis of your injury. A Diagnosis is a medically specific description of your injuries.

A Prognosis will include a medically specific description of what the future will hold for you. This will include the manner in which the scarring will be treated. The cost of the treatment, and the amount of time it will take to heal.

If you do have verifiable scarring and decide to go ahead with the treatment, you will have to be confident the restaurant will agree to pay for the costs of the treatment, your lost wages, while recovering, and any out of pocket expenses, such as prescription medications, bandages, and the like.

If the restaurant will not agree to be responsible for all these costs you will have to decide if you want to file suit.

Since laws change frequently and across jurisdictions you should get a personalized case evaluation from an attorney licensed in your state (if you haven't already). Find an experienced local attorney to give you a FREE personalized case review here.


Best of luck,

Law Guy