Dog bites can cause serious injuries anywhere on the body, but facial injuries are especially traumatic. A bite to the face may leave permanent scars, nerve damage, infection, eye injuries, lip injuries, broken facial bones, or emotional distress. Children are particularly vulnerable because their height often places their face closer to a dog’s head.
In New Jersey, dog bite victims may have the right to seek compensation from the dog’s owner. These claims can involve medical treatment, plastic surgery, scarring, emotional trauma, and the long-term impact of a visible injury.
New Jersey Dog Bite Liability
New Jersey has a specific dog bite statute. In many cases, the owner of a dog is liable when the dog bites someone in a public place or when the victim is lawfully on private property, including the dog owner’s property. The owner may be responsible even if the dog never bit anyone before and even if the owner did not know the dog was dangerous.
This is different from a traditional negligence case, where the injured person may need to prove that the defendant failed to act reasonably. In a dog bite case, the statute can make liability more direct, although facts such as where the bite happened, whether the victim was lawfully present, and whether the injury was truly caused by a bite may still matter.
Why Facial Dog Bite Injuries Are Serious
Facial dog bites often require urgent medical care. A victim may need stitches, antibiotics, rabies evaluation, infection monitoring, reconstructive surgery, scar revision, dental treatment, or specialist care from a plastic surgeon, oral surgeon, ophthalmologist, or neurologist.
Even after the wound heals, the injury may continue to affect the victim’s life. Facial scars can change appearance, confidence, social comfort, and emotional well-being. Children may need additional treatment as they grow, and permanent scarring may affect them for years.
Evidence That Can Support a Claim
After a dog bite, evidence should be preserved quickly. Important proof may include photographs of the injury, photographs of the dog, the owner’s contact information, witness statements, animal control reports, medical records, emergency room records, surgical records, and proof of future treatment needs.
It is also important to document the healing process over time. Photos taken immediately after the bite, during treatment, and after scarring develops can help show the full impact of the injury.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Compensation for facial injuries after a dog bite in New Jersey may include emergency medical care, surgery, scar revision, future medical treatment, counseling, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
In serious cases, the long-term value of the claim may depend on expert opinions from doctors, plastic surgeons, or mental health professionals. A visible facial scar is not only a cosmetic issue. It can affect daily life, self-image, work, relationships, and emotional health.
What Should You Do After a Facial Dog Bite?
Get medical care immediately, especially if the wound is deep, bleeding, near the eye, or on a child’s face. Report the bite to the appropriate local authority, identify the dog and owner, save all medical paperwork, and avoid speaking with the owner’s insurance company before getting legal advice.
Speak With a New Jersey Dog Bite Attorney
Facial dog bite injuries should be handled carefully from the beginning. A New Jersey dog bite attorney can investigate the attack, identify insurance coverage, preserve evidence, document scarring, and pursue compensation for both medical expenses and long-term harm.
If you or your child suffered a facial injury from a dog bite in New Jersey, do not wait to protect your rights.