Reflections on Bodily Integrity and the Impact of Scarring

APIL Injury Awareness Week and the Theme of Bodily Integrity

As part of APIL’s Injury Awareness Week and this year’s theme of Bodily Integrity, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on a subject that is often overlooked in personal injury claims: scarring.

Scarring injuries—especially those caused suddenly and unexpectedly in an accident—can have a devastating, long-term impact. When we talk about the fundamental human right to bodily integrity, it’s not just about mobility or function. It’s also about appearance, and the deep connection between how we look and who we are.

The Deep Connection Between Appearance and Identity

For many people, our physical appearance forms part of our identity. It influences how we express ourselves, how we connect with others, and often, how confident we feel moving through the world. In today’s culture—where body image is constantly in the spotlight, especially through social media—the impact of visible scarring can be even more profound.

Common Causes of Scarring Injuries

Scarring can arise from many types of traumatic incidents: 

• Burns or wounds from electrocution
• Acid attacks
• Friction or boiling liquid injuries
• Road traffic collisions involving degloving injuries
• Penetrative wounds from falls, machinery accidents, or assaults

Often, scarring is a secondary consequence—a result of necessary surgeries, skin grafts, or other medical interventions following trauma. But the emotional toll is no less significant.

The Emotional Toll Beyond Physical Scars

That’s why it’s so important to address not just the physical, but also the psychological impact of this perceived violation of bodily integrity. At Bond Turner, we believe in the importance of early access to multi-disciplinary rehabilitation, including specialist psychological support. We push hard to secure early interim payments to fund this kind of treatment—ensuring clients can begin rebuilding their confidence and quality of life as soon as possible.

The Power of Peer Support and Specialist Organisations

In addition to medical care, many of my clients over the years have found peer support to be incredibly powerful. Being able to talk to someone who has walked the same road can bring comfort, connection, and courage. Incredible organisations such as Day One and The Katie Piper Foundation offer life-changing peer support services that help individuals come to terms with their scars—both visible and invisible.

Seeking Specialist Legal Advice for Scarring Claims

It’s also essential that those who have suffered scarring as a result of negligence seek specialist legal advice. As solicitors experienced in these complex claims, we ensure our clients are signposted to the right experts, offered guidance on scar care and treatment options, and supported to access the latest advancements in medical technology—both now and into the future.

Lifetime Costs and Compensation Considerations

Scarring can result in lifetime costs for treatments, camouflage cosmetics, therapies, or even prosthetics. These are real, ongoing needs—and they must be fully accounted for in any compensation claim.

Addressing Gender Bias in Damages for Scarring

I’m also mindful of the fact that, historically, damages awarded for scarring in England and Wales reflected gender bias—with women typically receiving higher awards than men for facial scarring. It is only in recent years that the Judicial College Guidelines have removed gender from these assessments. This is a step forward in recognising the equal emotional impact scarring can have on anyone, regardless of gender.

Supporting APIL’s Campaign for Fair and Inclusive Legislation

I fully support APIL’s campaign to highlight the issue of bodily integrity and their continued lobbying for fair, inclusive, and future-focused legislation. Injury Awareness Week is an opportunity not only to reflect—but to act. To campaign for higher standards of health and safety, and to reduce the number of traumatic and preventable accidents in the first place.