$100,000 for Gloucester County Child Bitten on Lip by Family’s German Shepherd

Individual results in dog bite cases vary based on attack circumstances

Overview

An 8-year-old Gloucester County boy received a $100,000 settlement with the hard work and persistence of attorney David J. Cowhey. The child was bitten on his upper lip by a family member’s dog and sustained a small but prominent laceration.

Expertise Required

• Pediatric Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons: Crucial for evaluating long-term scarring, muscle involvement (such as the orbicularis oris around the lip), and calculating the future costs of scar revision, laser treatment, or cosmetic surgery as the child’s face grows.
• Maxillofacial & Neurological Specialists: Needed to test for facial nerve damage, loss of sensation, or structural impairment that could impact normal lip movement, speech, or eating.
• Pediatric Psychologists / PTSD Experts: Essential to assess and document the psychological impact, anxiety, and trauma associated with early-childhood facial injuries and permanent disfigurement.
• Experienced Legal Representation: Dedicated legal expertise (specifically attorney David J. Cowhey) to translate these complex medical evaluations into quantifiable legal damages while tactfully navigating claims involving a relative’s homeowners insurance policy.

Compensation

The victim secured a $100,000 settlement due to their pain and laceration treatment.

What This Means for Your Dog Attack Case

Facial bites, especially involving children, require far more than standard emergency room documentation. Establishing full dog bite case value depends on medical experts who can project long-term functional, cosmetic, and psychological damage as the child matures, proving that even a “small” laceration warrants significant compensation.