Evidence checklist
Facial injury and scarring evidence checklist
Facial injuries change over time. Early swelling can hide a fracture, wounds can heal unevenly, and a scar's color and texture may continue changing for months. A useful record shows both the medical course and the appearance at consistent intervals.
Medical care comes first. Photographs should supplement treatment records, not replace evaluation for vision problems, infection, burns, nerve injury, or fractures.
Published August 23, 2026 · Last reviewed August 23, 2026
Medical diagnosis and treatment
Imaging, operative reports, specialist notes, and follow-up records establish the structures injured and the treatment required. Keep records from every emergency, dental, eye, surgical, burn, and rehabilitation provider.
- Emergency findings: Wound dimensions, contamination, fractures, eye symptoms, dental injury, concussion symptoms, and initial photographs.
- Specialist care: Plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, ophthalmology, ENT, dental, dermatology, and mental-health treatment.
- Future-care plan: Recommended revision, laser treatment, grafting, implants, dental work, therapy, and the timing or cost of future care.
Consistent visual record
A dated photo series can show healing, pigmentation, contour, contracture, and visibility better than a single image. Keep originals and avoid filters, retouching, or selective cropping.
- Regular photographs: Front, both profiles, and close views at consistent distance, lighting, expression, and intervals.
- Original files: Keep metadata, backups, and the full image rather than only screenshots or social-media copies.
- Appearance changes: Note makeup or camouflage needs, sun sensitivity, hair loss, asymmetry, movement limits, and reactions from others.
Incident proof
The injury must be connected to legally responsible conduct. Preserve records about the dog, vehicle, property, product, worksite, assault, or other event rather than focusing only on the scar.
- Scene and cause: Photos, video, reports, witness names, hazard details, product identifiers, or animal information.
- Prior notice: Earlier complaints, prior bites, repair records, safety warnings, or messages showing knowledge of the risk.
- Official reports: Police, animal-control, workplace, fire, emergency-service, or incident reports and their identifying numbers.
Functional and financial impact
Facial harm can affect vision, chewing, speech, breathing, sensation, work, and mental health as well as appearance. A complete claim documents those consequences without exaggeration.
- Function: Vision, smell, taste, breathing, jaw motion, swallowing, sensation, pain, headaches, and sleep.
- Work and school: Absence, restrictions, public-facing duties, accommodations, missed opportunities, and income records.
- Daily life: Treatment time, social withdrawal, anxiety, clothing or cosmetic changes, and activities avoided.
A safe preservation rule
Preserve; do not investigate at personal risk. Keep original files and objects, record where they came from, and avoid editing, repairing, washing, testing, returning, or posting them publicly. Do not record private conversations or enter property unless the law and the circumstances permit it.
This checklist is general information. An attorney can identify evidence held by other people, send a targeted preservation demand, and apply the law of the state where the event occurred.
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A free review can identify the evidence controlled by a business, employer, platform, provider, or manufacturer and whether a preservation request is warranted.
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