Based on the case results listed below, The Grossman Law Firm has secured dog bite and animal attack settlements ranging from $275,000 to $750,000 for clients in New Jersey. These cases involve vicious attacks that caused permanent scarring, disfigurement, and lasting psychological trauma.
New Jersey has a strict liability dog bite statute. This means the dog’s owner is responsible for injuries regardless of whether the dog had any history of aggression. You do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. You only need to prove the dog bit you and you were lawfully present.
Below are real settlement results from dog bite cases handled by our firm’s dog bite lawyers.
Our Dog Bite Case Results
$750,000 | Dog Bite (Facial Disfigurement) | Union County, NJ
Our client was an invited guest at the defendant’s home when the defendant’s dog jumped on her and viciously bit her face. The attack detached a portion of her top lip, tore the skin between her mouth and nose, and punctured her cheek. She needed eight surgeries to repair the damage.
Injuries: Detached portion of top lip, torn skin between mouth and nose, punctured cheek, permanent facial scarring and disfigurement
Treatment: Eight surgical procedures to repair left upper lip
Experts Retained: Plastic surgeon
Outcome: Settlement of $750,000.
Key Takeaway: Dog bite cases involving permanent facial scarring carry extremely high value because the disfigurement is visible and lifelong. A plastic surgeon can testify about both the procedures performed and the permanent nature of the scarring.
$450,000 | Dog Attack on Sidewalk | Middlesex County, NJ
Our client was walking along a sidewalk toward her workplace when the defendant’s dog savagely mauled her. The attack caused deep lacerations to her right calf, irreversible scarring, muscle atrophy, and nerve damage.
Injuries: Deep laceration and irreversible scarring of posterior right calf, decreased sensation, muscle atrophy over bite wound, nerve damage
Treatment: Multiple steroid and trigger point injections into right calf, excision and exploration for saphenous nerve, scar tissue removal
Experts Retained: Plastic surgeon, pain management physician
Outcome: Settlement of $450,000.
Key Takeaway: Dog attacks causing nerve damage and muscle atrophy show permanent functional impairment beyond just scarring. Nerve exploration surgery demonstrates the depth and severity of the bite injuries.
$275,000 | Dog Bite (Mother and Child) | Monmouth County, NJ
A mother and her young son were guests at the defendant’s property when the dog viciously bit the boy in the face. When the mother tried to pull the dog off her son, she was bitten on her left arm. The boy’s nose tip had to be amputated.
Injuries: Son: nasal tip amputation, significant nasal septum deviation. Mother: left arm scarring, anxiety, PTSD/depression
Treatment: Son: multiple nose surgeries and cauterization. Both: neuropsychological counseling
Experts Retained: Neuropsychologist, plastic surgeon
Outcome: Settlement of $275,000 for both clients.
Key Takeaway: Dog attacks on children are especially devastating because young victims face years of corrective procedures and psychological trauma. New Jersey’s strict liability statute protects child victims even when they are guests at the dog owner’s property.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dog Bite Settlements in NJ
Q: What is the average dog bite settlement in New Jersey?
Dog bite settlements in New Jersey vary based on the severity of injuries and scarring. The Grossman Law Firm has secured dog bite settlements ranging from $275,000 to $750,000. Cases involving facial disfigurement, nerve damage, or attacks on children tend to produce higher settlements. New Jersey’s strict liability statute means the dog owner is responsible even if the dog has never bitten anyone before.
Q: Is New Jersey a strict liability state for dog bites?
Yes. Under New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 4:19-16), a dog owner is liable for injuries caused by their dog regardless of whether the dog had any prior history of biting or aggression. The victim must show they were bitten and were lawfully present at the location. This strict liability standard makes New Jersey one of the strongest states for dog bite claims.
Q: Can I sue for a dog bite that happened at someone’s home?
Yes. If you were an invited guest or lawfully present at the property, you can file a personal injury claim against the dog owner. The Grossman Law Firm has handled multiple cases where clients were invited guests who were attacked by the homeowner’s dog, recovering settlements from $275,000 to $750,000.
Q: What damages can I recover in a dog bite case?
Dog bite victims in New Jersey can recover compensation for medical bills (including surgery, injections, and rehabilitation), lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent scarring and disfigurement, emotional distress, PTSD, and future medical treatment. In cases involving children, the long-term costs of corrective procedures and counseling can be significant.
