Yes. If a dog attack in New Jersey leaves you with scarring, disfigurement, or tissue damage that requires reconstructive treatment, you can pursue the cost of that surgery as part of your injury claim. New Jersey’s dog bite statute holds owners strictly liable for the harm their animal causes. You do not need to prove the dog had a history of aggression or that the owner was careless. You only need to show the dog bit you while you were lawfully present.
Facial dog bite injuries, hand injuries, and deep puncture wounds are common reasons plastic surgery becomes part of a dog bite recovery. Children are especially vulnerable, and dog attacks are one of the leading reasons for thousands of child cosmetic treatments each year.
The Role of New Jersey’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law in Plastic Surgery Compensation Claims
Under N.J.S.A. 4:19-16, a dog owner is liable for a bite that occurs in a public place or while the injured person is lawfully on private property, regardless of whether the dog ever bit anyone before. In many other states, an injured person has to prove the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous. New Jersey does not require that showing.
Strict liability does not mean every claim settles quickly or fairly. Insurance companies still dispute claims or argue that a scar is less severe than the victim describes. This is where documentation and legal representation matter.
What Counts as Recoverable Plastic Surgery Costs Under New Jersey Law?
A dog bite claim in New Jersey can include compensation for:
- Emergency treatment and wound closure
- Reconstructive or corrective surgery for scarring
- Skin grafts and tissue flaps
- Follow-up procedures, such as scar revision performed months or years later
- Physical therapy tied to the injury
- Mental health treatment for trauma connected to the attack
- Lost wages during recovery
- Pain, suffering, and permanent disfigurement
What is the Average Cost of Plastic Surgery After a Dog Bite?
Reconstructive surgery costs vary widely depending on the wound severity, its location on the body, and how many procedures are needed. Federal healthcare data show that dog bite injuries requiring hospitalization are significantly more expensive than the average injury-related hospital stay. That gap widens further once follow-up reconstructive procedures are factored in.
The table below reflects published cost data from federal health researchers, plastic surgery industry sources, and facial plastic surgery pricing guides. Actual costs depend on the surgeon, location, and complexity of the injury.
| Procedure | Typical Cost Range |
| Initial ER visit and wound closure | $18,000+ (hospital visit average, before follow-up care) |
| Minor scar revision | $1,500 to $5,000 |
| Laser scar treatment (per session, multiple often needed) | $200 to $4,000 |
| Skin grafting | $2,000 to $15,000 |
| Hand or extremity reconstruction | $8,000 to $50,000 |
| Facial reconstruction | $15,000 to $100,000+ |
| Nerve repair (microsurgery) | $10,000 to $40,000 |
| Multiple procedures over several years | $30,000 to $200,000+ |
Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) / National Institutes of Health (NIH)
These figures cover surgeon and procedure fees only. They do not include facility fees, anesthesia, related physical therapy, psychological counseling, missed work, or complications requiring additional treatment.
More than half of dog bite hospitalizations involve a surgical procedure such as wound debridement or suturing, according to federal hospital data, and complex facial or hand injuries generally cost more than the ranges above because they require specialized reconstructive techniques.
Because young children often need repeat procedures as they grow, a single facial injury sustained at age five can realistically involve several surgeries by the time that child reaches adulthood. This is one of the main reasons insurance companies often lowball early settlement offers. They calculate based on treatment received so far rather than the full course of care a plastic surgeon would actually recommend.
Proving the Need for Reconstructive Surgery
Insurance adjusters are looking for specific, tangible medical evidence before agreeing to pay for plastic surgery. Victims and their attorneys typically rely on:
- Photographs of the injury at different stages of healing
- Medical records from the emergency room and any treating specialists
- A written opinion from a plastic surgeon on the necessity and projected cost of the procedure
- Records of follow-up care, complications, or additional treatment
- A future care plan outlining anticipated procedures as scars mature or a child grows
The strength of this evidence often determines whether an insurer offers fair compensation or tries to minimize the claim.
Plastic Surgery After a New Jersey Dog Bite: Frequently Asked Questions
Does New Jersey law require the dog to have bitten someone before?
No. Strict liability applies even if the dog has no prior history of biting anyone.
Can I recover costs for surgery I have not had yet?
Yes, a documented claim can include the projected cost of future reconstructive procedures based on a treating physician’s recommendation.
What if my child’s scar might require more surgery as they grow older?
Your claim should account for anticipated future treatment, not just the surgery already performed.
Does it matter if the dog was on a leash or fenced in?
Generally no, as long as you were lawfully present where the bite occurred.
Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault?
New Jersey applies comparative negligence, so partial fault may reduce, but does not automatically eliminate, your recovery.
Who pays the settlement, the dog owner personally?
Most settlements are paid through the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Generally, two years from the date of the attack. Or in child dog attack cases, two years from the date the child turns 18.
Do I need a lawyer if the insurance company already offered a settlement?
Early offers are often lower than a claim is actually worth, especially when future surgery is likely. Have an attorney review any offer before you accept it.
Explore Your Legal Options After a Serious Dog Attack, Starting with a Free Consultation
Reconstructive surgery after a dog attack can mean years of follow-up care, missed school, lost job opportunities, and psychological health challenges. David Cowhey and Rob Morello have spent decades representing dog bite victims across New Jersey, securing six-figure and seven-figure settlements for clients requiring extensive plastic surgery. Both attorneys are certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court, and you work directly with them rather than being handed off to staff.
If you or your child suffered a dog attack in New Jersey and are facing plastic surgery or reconstructive treatment, contact The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer for a free consultation. There is no fee unless they recover compensation for you.
Sources:
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Scar Revision Cost: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/scar-revision/cost
- Will a Settlement Cover Plastic Surgery Costs for Dog Bite Treatment, Baltimore Post-Examiner: https://baltimorepostexaminer.com/will-a-settlement-cover-plastic-surgery-costs-for-dog-bite-treatment/2020/11/10
- Surgical management of facial dog bite trauma: A contemporary perspective and review, World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery: https://doi.org/10.1002/wjo2.75
Additional related resources from The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer:
