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What must a plaintiff prove to obtain non-economic damages for disfigurement?

  1. That the disfigurement has hindered employment opportunities.

  2. Public perception of the disfigurement causing hardship.

  3. Medical treatment was required for the injury.

  4. The disfigurement resulted from an accident.

The correct answer is: Public perception of the disfigurement causing hardship.

To obtain non-economic damages for disfigurement, a plaintiff must demonstrate how the public perception of their disfigurement has caused hardship. Non-economic damages are intended to compensate for intangible injuries that affect a person's quality of life, such as emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. The acknowledgment of public perception is crucial because it highlights the social stigma and emotional consequences that often accompany disfigurement. While other factors like the need for medical treatment or the impact on employment may play a role in overall damages calculations, the core of non-economic damages lies in the subjective experience of the plaintiff and how their disfigurement affects their interactions with society. Therefore, successfully proving that public perception has contributed to their hardship is essential for securing these types of damages.