A Guide to Colorado Workers’ Comp for Disfigurement
Learn what qualifies as disfigurement and how to maximize your work injury claim in Denver
Key points about CO workers’ comp for scarring and disfigurement:
- Colorado workers’ comp provides disfigurement benefits for visible, lasting changes to appearance caused by a work injury or medical treatment.
- Disfigurement can include scars, burns, limps, skin discoloration, uneven or misshapen body parts, facial injuries, partial amputations, and more.
- Permanent disfigurement means the change in appearance is long-lasting, unlikely to improve, and still visible after healing reaches maximum medical improvement.
- Disfigurement awards are paid in a one-time lump sum and annual maximums vary based on the year of injury.
If you suffered scarring or permanent changes to the way you look after a work injury in Colorado, you may be entitled to disfigurement benefits under the state’s workers’ compensation system.
These benefits exist to compensate workers for visible, lasting damage—such as burns, surgical scars, or even limps—that can affect confidence, employment opportunities, and daily life.
In this article, we’ll explain what Colorado considers disfigurement, how much workers’ comp typically pays, and how you can apply for these benefits.
If you need help maximizing your disfigurement compensation or have questions about your claim, reach out to the Denver workers’ compensation attorneys at Babcock Tucker for a free consultation.
What qualifies as disfigurement under Colorado workers’ comp?
In Colorado, disfigurement refers to visible changes to your appearance caused by a work-related injury or medical treatment. It isn’t limited to burns or surgical scars—many types of injuries can qualify as long as they noticeably alter how you look.
Examples of disfigurement can include:
- Lacerations, puncture wounds, or severe frostbite on the face, head, or body
- A limp or altered gait after a knee, hip, or back injury that changes how you carry yourself
- Total or partial amputations or changes in symmetry caused by trauma
- Hearing aids (when needed after work-related hearing loss)
- Skin discoloration from chemical exposure, infections, graft sites, or healing complications
- Swelling or distortion that leaves body parts permanently uneven in size or shape
- Facial injuries affecting the nose, jaw, cheekbones, or eyes
Colorado considers noticeable and lasting physical change that affects appearance—especially in exposed areas like the face, neck, or arms—as potential disfigurement for workers’ compensation purposes.
Does a scar count as disfigurement?
Yes, scarring does indeed count as disfigurement under Colorado workers’ comp, especially if it’s extensive or in a highly visible area like the face or hands.
What is considered permanent disfigurement?
Permanent disfigurement in Colorado refers to visible changes to your appearance that are long-lasting and unlikely to improve over time, even after medical treatment. To qualify, the condition must be the result of a work-related injury or the medical care used to treat that injury.
Workers’ comp typically considers disfigurement “permanent” when:
- Your treating doctor confirms that healing is complete or mostly complete.
- The change in appearance is expected to remain indefinitely.
In short, if the injury has reached a point where additional treatment won’t significantly change your appearance, and the alteration is still visible, Colorado may consider it a permanent disfigurement, making you eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits for disfigurement.
When Will Workers’ Comp Offer a Settlement?
Understand when workers’ comp settlements are typically offered and how they impact your right to future benefits in Colorado.
How much does Colorado workers’ comp pay for disfigurement?
In addition to wage loss benefits and medical benefits for treatment, medication, and surgeries, Colorado workers may be entitled to compensation for disfigurement when a work injury leaves them with noticeable, lasting changes to their appearance.
The amount you receive depends on both the severity and location of the disfigurement. For injuries that occur after July 1, 2025:
- The maximum standard disfigurement award is $7,394.64.
- If the disfigurement is considered extensive—such as facial scarring, burn scars, or a stump resulting from limb loss—the award can go up to $14,786.65.
These caps are set by the state and updated annually, so the maximum you can receive depends on the year your injury occurred.
If you qualify for a disfigurement award, the payment is issued as a one-time lump sum through the workers’ compensation system.
How do I get compensation for disfigurement after a work injury in Colorado?
To receive a disfigurement award, you must first go through the standard workers’ compensation process and then submit the specific form required for disfigurement.
These are the steps you need to take:
- Report your injury. You must notify your employer within 10 days of the accident or the discovery of an occupational disease. Any delay can complicate your claim or weaken your eligibility for benefits.
- Get medical treatment. Seek emergency care when needed, and follow up with a doctor from your employer’s approved provider list. Your medical records will help confirm that the injury happened at work and document how it affects your appearance.
- Employer reports the injury. Once notified, your employer has 10 days to report the injury to its workers’ comp insurer. The insurer then has 20 days to accept or deny the claim, so you should receive a decision within 30 days of notifying your employer.
- File your workers’ compensation claim. You must also file Form WC-15, “Worker’s Claim for Compensation,” with the Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation. You should file as soon as possible, though you have up to 2 years to submit it.
- Submit the disfigurement form. After your claim is established and your condition has stabilized, you can request a specific disfigurement award by filing Form WC-193, “Request for Disfigurement Award (Photo).” This form allows you to submit photos and supporting documentation so the Division can evaluate the extent of the visible changes caused by your injury.
Because compensation amounts can vary widely based on how “extensive” the disfigurement is judged to be, many workers find it helpful to have an experienced Denver workers’ compensation attorney help them present evidence that accurately reflects how the injury affects their appearance and daily life.
Need help getting workers’ comp for scarring or disfigurement in Colorado?
Disfigurement is one of the most commonly overlooked benefits of workers’ compensation, and insurers rarely volunteer information about how much you may truly be owed.
Babcock Tucker is a Denver-based workers’ compensation law firm with extensive experience handling disfigurement claims and navigating Colorado’s strict reporting and filing rules.
If you’ve been left with visible scarring or lasting changes to your appearance after a work injury, contact our team for a free consultation. We’re here to protect your rights and ensure you receive every benefit the law allows.
