Compensation for Cosmetic Surgery After a St. Louis Auto Accident

If you aren’t sure your cosmetic or plastic surgery is eligible for compensation, reach out to a St. Louis car accident lawyer for help.

woman getting cosmetic surgery

There is a variety of possible injuries a person can suffer after a car accident. According to Missouri law, if the car accident was not your fault, then the person or party that’s caused you harm are responsible for covering the costs of your treatment.

Generally speaking, these proceedings will go through the at-fault party’s insurance company. Unfortunately, this could also mean you’ll have to expect for a potential battle to prove to the adjusters your treatment and all its procedures are necessary for your recovery. And in the case of plastic or cosmetic surgery, this may prove even more difficult.

Cosmetic vs. Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic and plastic surgery generally mean different things. Cosmetic procedures focus on enhancing a person’s appearance and it is often elective. It does not have anything to do with helping the body function, but more in improving its appearance.

Plastic surgery, on the other hand, includes complicated reconstruction of facial and body defects, which is the more common option you’d need after car accidents. Just based on their definition, cosmetic surgery may not be eligible for compensation because it is elective. But, this is not always the case.

Interpreting the Law

All the procedures and treatment you need to recover from your car accident injuries are generally eligible for compensation. However, cosmetic or plastic surgery may not be necessary, in the sense that it may not lead to your physical recovery.

However, visible scars of injuries may have incredibly negative effects on a person’s self-esteem and completely change how they interact with the world. In other cases, scars or muscle damage can even diminish the functionality of certain body parts.

If you and your St. Louis car accident lawyer can effectively argue for the necessity of the cosmetic or plastic procedure, then legally the insurance company cannot refuse to cover the costs.

For instance, let’s assume the car accident left you with a very visible scar on your left cheek. For one thing, it’s placement on your face may affect your mental health, as you may begin to start hiding from the world to avoid people staring at you. The scar could have also affected part of your muscle control, causing even more issues.

If a plastic procedure could remove the scar and help you regain some muscle control, then this argument must be presented to the insurance adjuster. If the muscle is fine, but you do need cosmetic surgery to improve your appearance, that may also be compensated. This is the golden rule for cosmetic or plastic procedures – as long as you can prove their necessity, then you will likely be compensated for them.

Speak With a St. Louis Auto Accident Attorney ASAP

If you aren’t sure your cosmetic or plastic surgery is eligible for compensation, reach out to a St. Louis car accident lawyer for help. They can help protect your rights during legal proceedings. Give us a call 24/7 for a FREE consultation with an experienced attorney.

Call (314) 361-4242

Updated: July 30, 2019