Disfigure Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Disfigure, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Disfigure?

History and Meaning of Disfigure

Disfigure is a verb used to describe a situation where a person causes visible scars on another person's body, which affects their appearance and causes them to look quite different than they did before the injury. Disfigurement can occur due to many reasons, including burns, accidents, medical procedures, or surgical errors. Disfigurement is generally a significant concern for people because of the impact it has on their physical, psychological, and emotional well-being.

In legal terms, disfigurement is a serious injury, and it is considered when determining the amount of compensation that, in addition to other types of injuries, an individual or their family is entitled to receive due to the negligence or intentional actions of another party.

Examples of Disfigure

1. Following a severe dog attack, a man's face was disfigured beyond recognition, resulting in a legal settlement against the owner of the dog.
2. A patient received a significant disfigurement to their arm during a surgical procedure, leading to a lawsuit against the surgeon.
3. A worker was severely burned by steam at a manufacturing facility, which resulted in visible disfigurement across his chest and neck that was considered in a lawsuit against the employer.

Legal Terms Similar to Disfigure

1. Permanent Injury - an injury that results in a permanent effect on one's body, usually causing some form of disfigurement.
2. Negligence - failure to take reasonable care or actions resulting in harm to another.
3. Emotional Distress - a legal term used to describe a type of mental anguish compensation claimed after an injury.