Injury Photos
Photos of your injuries are VERY important
The CICA will want to see recent photographs of your scarring.
It is VERY important that you provide accurate photographs of the scar, or puncture wound, or displaced broken nose, or tattooing bruise, etc.
Every week we receive photographs from Clients, that are NOT usable. This is for many reasons: the pictures are out of focus- sometimes it is impossible to make out what part of the body it should be; the pictures are not signed on the back- more about this in a bit; the photographs are not recent- they are out of date and do not refelect the true scarring and perhaps the most common- a few photographs sent in an envelope with no letter, name or address................ now how are we supposed to know who you are?
If you do not supply decent quality photographs, the CICA will have to assess your injury without the benefit of seeing your disfigurement.
Obviously it is always far better to provide photographs. We can give you clear advice how to take such photographs. You do not need to engage a photographer, a friend can do it for you. It's not rocket science if you follow our simple rules.......... and they really are simple......
1. DO NOT send us photographs that are out of focus. This demonstrates absolutely NOTHING WHATSOEVER. Only send us photographs that are IN FOCUS. If you send us photographs that are out of focus, we will have to write to you again and your claim will be delayed.
2. Get the person who took the photographs to write this on the back of EACH and EVERY photograph.....
" I insert name here, certify that this photograph has not been re-touched "
DO NOT write your own version of this. Write exactly as above, DO NOT deviate from the given text. Get the person who took the photographs to date and sign EACH and EVERY photograph. Write your CICA reference number on the back of EACH and EVERY photograph.
3. If you have facial scarring, have photographs taken 'face on' and also from the side. Imagine the 'mug shot' type of photograph you see on police dramas.
4. It helps enormously if there is some scale to the photograph. If you place a ruler next to the scar, it will be evident how long the scar is. This can make a significant difference to your compensation.
5. Photographs can be taken with a digital camera and printed by you. They do not have to be processed by Boots or Tesco. Don't forget to copy out the wording in paragraph above and get the person who photographed you to date and sign. The CICA prefer photographs to be 5" X 4".
6. I you genuinely cannot arrange someone to photograph your injuries, PLEASE TELEPHONE US. We can arrange for this to be undertaken by a professional photographer.
Here are some examples of how your photographs should look. By the way, these were NOT taken by a professional photographer. If you are using a digital camera, look to see if your shots are in focus. If they are not, then have them taken again.