Question on disfigurement filing in PA?

[mom2twokids]

Our lawyer has filed now for the disfigurement portion of our workmen's comp claim... We are in PA... We got the paper the other day that shows that he filed but what happens now? Will they schedule a hearing for this portion of the claim? All I remember and this was from a while ago was that we could not proceed with the disfigurement portion until a decision was made in our favor as far as the wages and medical b/c they were disputing our claim, we just got a decision in our favor in December of 2009. Is anyone familiar with this portion of the claim? We are filing disfigurement b/c my husband has a very noticeable scar on his head from the accident which happened in July 2008.

Thank you.

[bronco54501]

From what I hear (WI) its a low figure but thats here. Lawyer told me not to expect a lot if it does not hinder your job abilities,,,, I'm screwed, Im not the chip-n-dales erotic dancer.....lol.

[1171]

generally a rating is given based on personal inspection or photo and physcial description.
Your husband might consider requesting cosmetic surgery.

[mom2twokids]

bronco54501 Wrote:From what I hear (WI) its a low figure but thats here. Lawyer told me not to expect a lot if it does not hinder your job abilities,,,, I'm screwed, Im not the chip-n-dales erotic dancer.....lol.

Thanks... At this point after having to fight with workers comp for a 1 1/2 years even a low figure helps us out... It's not really the amount I am worried about as much as it is I feel like they should pay something, my husband is very embarassed by his scar and it's very noticeable and then always leads to oh what happened? He wears his hair as a buzz cut so can't hide it either... He also has scars all over his legs but we know that those don't matter to workers comp, we will address those once we file our 3rd party claim...

[mom2twokids]

1171 Wrote:generally a rating is given based on personal inspection or photo and physcial description.
Your husband might consider requesting cosmetic surgery.

Thanks 1171, I wasn't sure if they could do cosmetic surgery on his head? And we have all of the photos from his accident and have been taking photos as the months have gone on.. It has been a year and a half so at this point we are figuring whatever is there is permanent...

[Timothy Belt]

A hearing will be scheduled and the WCJ will review medical records and personally inspect the scar. The amount of the award is almost entirely up to the judge. There is a maximum, but I don't recall what that is at this point. The award is made for a certain number of weeks of TTD, and payment is not made until your husband stops receiving TTD. When payment is made, it is not made in a lump sum, but rather in increments the same as your wage loss. Of course, a lump sum payment for a lesser amount can potentially be negotiated.