$200,000 Settlement for Ocean County Woman

Overview

An Ocean County woman suffered a 6 cm (about 2.4-inch) dog bite wound to her chest in a Doberman attack that left her permanently disfigured. A bite wound of that size on the chest can go deeper than the skin and into the tissue underneath. David Cowhey and the New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer team negotiated a $200,000 settlement before trial.

Surgical care and treatment

A deep chest wound such as in this case needs emergency cleaning and closure. Dog bites carry a high risk of infection, so the victim required antibiotics and close wound monitoring. Once the wound healed, the victim required a plastic surgeon for scar revision surgery, laser treatment, or other scar management to reduce its size and appearance.

The negotiation process

David Cowhey and the New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer built the claim before he negotiated. This involved collecting:

• The medical records and bills
• Photographs of the wound as it healed
• The treating doctors’ opinions on permanent scarring and any future care she may need

He then presents that evidence to the dog owner’s insurance company in a settlement demand. In this case, there were multiple rounds of negotiations. The claim resolved for $200,000.

Valuing Disfiguring Scars in New Jersey Dog Attack Cases

Disfigurement Beyond the Face

Facial scars get the most attention in dog bite cases, but a disfiguring scar on the chest can be just as significant. It can affect the victim’s self-image, her comfort with clothing and swimwear, and her personal relationships. Those losses belong in the claim even though the scar is usually covered.

Handling a Sensitive Injury with Care

Documenting an injury like this takes discretion. David presented the extent of the disfigurement in a way that protected his client’s privacy while making its impact clear to the insurer. Under New Jersey’s dog bite statute, N.J.S.A. 4:19-16, the dog owner is responsible for the damages the bite causes, including permanent scarring.