EWJ June 61 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 26
Medical Tattooing in Personal
Injury Cases: A Crucial Contribution
to Recovery and Compensation
by Rae Denman-Tanner, BA(Hons), CT Dip, CC Dip, FdA
Medical tattooing is increasingly being recognised as a valuable option in personal injury cases,
particularly when it comes to scarring and pigmentation issues resulting from traumatic
accidents. As an expert in the field, I’ve seen how medical tattooing can significantly improve a
claimant’s quality of life and even the legal outcome of a personal injury claim.
Types of Injuries Addressed by Medical Tattooing
Personal injury cases frequently result in significant
and visible scarring. In such instances, medical tattooing can play a valuable role in helping individuals
restore aspects of their pre-injury appearance.
Whether resulting from car accidents, workplace incidents such as burns from scalding water, or machinery-related injuries, medical tattooing can effectively
minimise the appearance of scars and pigmentation
irregularities, supporting both aesthetic outcomes and
emotional recovery.
Cost and Treatment Planning for Personal Injury
Cases
Cost estimations play a crucial role in personal injury
claims. When medical tattooing is part of the treatment plan, the solicitor needs to know the specifics
about how much it will cost in the short and long term.
During my consultations, I work out a treatment
schedule that includes the number of initial sessions
required, the expected duration of healing, and the
costs associated with each treatment. I also consider
long-term maintenance costs for regular colour
boosts, which will be required every 1 to 5 years depending on the claimant’s age, skin type, exposure to
UV rays, and any underlying health conditions.
The most common injuries treated with medical
tattooing include:
• Excessive scarring: Often resulting from burns,
surgery, or accidents, these scars are permanent but
can be camouflaged with medical tattooing to reduce
their prominence.
Addressing the Psychological Impact of Scarring
Scarring and pigmentation loss can significantly affect
a person’s mental and emotional wellbeing. It’s not
just about the physical appearance; it’s about how the
injury impacts their daily life, social interactions, and
sense of self-worth. In my assessments, I consider how
the scarring affects the claimant’s ability to engage in
activities like work, relationships, or socialising.
• Hypopigmentation: Loss of pigment in the skin
after injury can leave noticeable areas of lighter skin,
which can be treated with medical tattooing to create
a more even appearance.
• Textural issues: Scars with irregular textures can
benefit from microneedling combined with tattooing,
improving both the colour and texture of the scar
tissue.
Medical tattooing doesn’t completely eliminate scars,
but it can reduce their visibility, which in turn often
improves the claimant’s mental state. Knowing they
have a choice and an option to improve their appearance can be empowering and provide a sense of control over their recovery. This aspect of medical
tattooing is vital in personal injury cases, as it can
contribute to emotional healing alongside physical
recovery.
Common Challenges in Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury cases involving medical tattooing are
usually straightforward in terms of identifying the injury, but the key challenge lies in determining the appropriate compensation for the treatment and
ongoing care. A lot of these cases focus on how much
the claimant should receive for medical tattooing and
how it can be factored into their recovery.
What Personal Injury Solicitors Should Be Aware Of
One of the most important things for personal injury
solicitors to understand is that medical tattooing is not
a one-time solution. While it is effective in reducing
the visibility of scars, it’s not a permanent fix. The
claimant will need regular colour boosts to maintain
the results, and these costs should be factored into the
claim.
As a practitioner, my role is to assess the severity of the
scarring or pigmentation issue and provide a detailed
prognosis report. I outline the potential benefits of
medical tattooing, estimate the number of treatments
required, the costs involved, and how long it would
take for the claimant to see results. There are generally no unrealistic expectations from the clients or solicitors, as they often understand that medical
tattooing cannot completely erase scars but can significantly improve their visibility.
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
Another crucial point is the impact of medical
tattooing on long-term care and recovery. While it can
reduce the appearance of scars, it does not eliminate
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JUNE 2025
