For New Jersey parents
We know what a facial dog bite does to a family. We’ll answer your call, explain every step in plain language, and fight for the care your child will need at 7, at 12 and at 17.
$1,000,000
Child facial dog bite · Cape May County
David J. Cowhey
Founder · Certified Civil Trial Attorney
Rob Morello
Certified Civil Trial Attorney
We answer 24/7 and can meet by phone or video, so you don’t lose more time from work.
Medical visits, missed work and out-of-pocket costs are documented as the case builds.
No recorded statements from you or your child. We handle the homeowner’s insurance company.
We point you to New Jersey Family Leave Insurance so you can care for your child with partial pay.
The first weeks
The first year
Childhood and teens
Every stage
12 of 22
70%
Parents, too
Featured recovery
$1M
Injuries
Long-term harm
Psychological
Outcome
NJ
4.9
5.0
4.8
150+
ACBA
1
2
3
4
Under New Jersey’s strict liability dog bite statute (N.J.S.A. 4:19-16), the dog owner is legally responsible for bite injuries regardless of whether the animal had ever shown prior viciousness or bitten anyone in the past. To establish liability, you only need to prove ownership, that the bite occurred, and that the child was in a public space or lawfully on private property. Read David’s guide to N.J.S.A. 4:19-16.
Under New Jersey case law, children under seven years of age are legally presumed incapable of comparative negligence, making provocation nearly impossible for an insurer to establish against young toddlers. For children seven and older, New Jersey courts evaluate provocation based on a reasonable child standard of similar age, capacity, and maturity, not an adult standard. Learn more in David’s guide to strict liability in New Jersey dog bite cases.
Yes. Most child dog bites involve a dog the family knows. The claim is usually paid by the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, not by your relative personally. Our $1M recovery came from a relative’s dog. See David’s guide to child dog bite claims involving friends or family and who pays a dog bite settlement.
Under New Jersey Court Rule 4:44 (Friendly Hearing / Infant Compromise), any settlement involving a minor must be reviewed and formally approved by a Superior Court judge. The judge evaluates the child’s medical records, examines photos or views the facial scar in person, confirms legal fees, and ensures the compensation is fair and in the child’s best interests. Read David’s guide: What is a Friendly Hearing in child dog bite cases?
Once the judge approves the settlement at the Friendly Hearing, the funds are usually held by the County Surrogate or placed in a structured settlement until the child turns 18. Learn how this works in disfigurement cases in David’s guide to dog bite disfigurement in New Jersey children.
New Jersey generally extends the filing deadline for injured children until two years after they turn 18. Parents’ own claims, such as for medical bills they paid, can have shorter deadlines, so speak with a lawyer early. David’s guide to New Jersey dog bite lawsuits explains each step.
Most child dog bite cases settle without a trial. If a Friendly Hearing is required, it is brief and we prepare your family for it.
There is no fee unless we recover compensation. Your first consultation is free and can take place by phone or video.
