Part 7Scarring to parts of the body other than the face

Part 7—Scarring to parts of the body other than the face

•	This Part applies to external appearance and physical condition of the skin only, and includes scarring to the scalp, trunk and limbs
•	Facial scarring must be assessed under Part 3, Division 3
•	This Part does not apply to adhesions, or scarring, of internal organs
•	This Part will usually apply to an injury involving skeletal damage only if the skeletal damage is minor
•	Many of the physical injuries mentioned in this Schedule involve some scarring from the initial injury and subsequent surgery, including skin grafting, to repair the injury and this has been taken into account in fixing the range of ISVs for the injuries.

Example— The ISV range for an injury causing a closed fracture of a limb takes into account the potential need for open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture and the resulting surgical wound and scar.

Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 151 to 154 • Location of a scar • Likelihood of a scar fading or becoming less noticeable over time

Extreme scarring to a part of the body other than the face

•	An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is—
(a)	extensive scarring to 1 or more of the limbs and significant cosmetic disfigurement; and
(b)	either—
(i)	the need to keep the limb or limbs covered or wear special clothing; or
(ii)	ongoing limitation in the ability to participate in activities because of cosmetic disfigurement or functional impairment.
•	An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is gross permanent scarring over an extensive area or areas of the body, with ongoing pain and other symptoms.

Serious scarring to a part of the body other than the face

There is serious scarring— (a) requiring extensive medical treatment or surgery; and (b) causing significant ongoing limitation in the ability to participate in activities because of cosmetic disfigurement or functional impairment.

•	Significant scarring over the upper and lower arm requiring skin grafting if—
(a)	there are post‑operative complications requiring additional medical treatment for up to 18 months; and
(b)	there is maximum medical improvement within 2 years after the scarring is caused.
•	Hypertrophic (keloid) scarring caused by a burn to the front of the neck, with an intermittent sensation of burning, itching or irritation.

Moderate scarring to a part of the body other than the face

•	Several noticeable scars that are hypertrophic (keloid)
•	A significant linear scar in an area of major cosmetic importance, for example, the front of the neck

Minor scarring to a part of the body other than the face