Reviewed by David J. Cowhey, Certified Civil Trial Attorney
Most New Jersey dog bite claims settle for tens of thousands of dollars, but serious injuries are often worth far more. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average dog bite claim in New Jersey cost insurers $77,447 in 2025, above the national average of $65,450. David J. Cowhey’s New Jersey dog bite settlements range from $100,000 to $1,000,000, with a median of $165,000. What a case is worth depends on how severe the injury is, whether it leaves a permanent scar, and the amount of insurance available.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
New Jersey Dog Bite Settlements Based on Injury Severity
| Injury Severity Level | Typical Medical Impact | Typical Settlement Range | Actual David J. Cowhey Case Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor (Level 1-2) | Superficial scrapes, no stitches required, basic urgent care visit. | $5,000 – $20,000 | Our firm focuses on moderate to catastrophic injuries. |
| Moderate (Level 3-4) | Deep punctures, stitches required, localized infection, temporary lost wages. | $30,000 – $75,000 | $150,000 (Essex County man requiring multiple treatments and shots without health insurance). |
| Severe (Level 4-5) | Torn ligaments, broken bones, severe facial lacerations, and reconstructive surgery. | $75,000 – $200,000 | $250,000 (Cumberland County woman requiring skin grafts to her chin/neck). |
| Catastrophic (Level 5-6) | Permanent disfigurement, limb loss, lifelong orthopedic treatment, wrongful death. | $200,000+ | $322,500 (Ocean County woman requiring corrective surgery for severe arm wounds). |
Our New Jersey Dog Bite Settlements: Case-by-Case Results
These are 21 dog bite settlements David J. Cowhey obtained for clients in New Jersey. Every row is one of his own cases, with the county, the injury, the dog and a link to the full write-up. Use the filters to see results for injuries or counties like yours.
| Full Case | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000,000 | Cape May | 7 (boy) | Severe bite to the face | Relative’s dog | — | $1 million settlement for a child’s facial bite in Cape May County |
| $445,000 | Atlantic | Adult (woman) | Broken wrist with surgery, lacerations, partially amputated little finger | Pit bull | — | $445,000 pit bull attack settlement with finger amputation |
| $322,500 | Ocean | Adult (woman) | 5-inch wound and multiple right-arm lacerations; surgery | — | 2021 | $322,500 Toms River arm laceration settlement |
| $300,000 | Salem | Two young children | Extensive scarring; policy limits paid | Great Danes | — | $300,000 policy-limits settlement for two children attacked by Great Danes |
| $295,000 | Cumberland | 5 (girl) | 6 cm cheek and nose laceration; cosmetic surgery | Rottweiler | 2018 | $295,000 structured settlement for a 5-year-old’s facial laceration |
| $250,000 | Camden | Adult (woman) | Fractured metatarsal, foot lacerations with corrective surgery, back injuries | Pit bull | 2024 | $250,000 Camden County foot fracture settlement |
| $250,000 | Cumberland | 19 (woman) | Part of chin bitten off; multiple plastic surgeries, skin grafts | — | — | $250,000 settlement for a chin injury requiring skin grafts |
| $225,000 | Burlington | Adult (woman) | 5-inch facial scar; cosmetic surgery | Pit bull | — | $225,000 pit bull facial scar settlement |
| $200,000 | Ocean | Adult (woman) | 6 cm chest wound, permanent disfigurement | Doberman | — | $200,000 Doberman chest wound settlement |
| $175,000 | Atlantic | Adult (man) | Ankle scars, bone infection (osteomyelitis), antibiotic reaction | — | — | $175,000 settlement for an ankle bite and bone infection |
| $165,000 | Monmouth | 3 (boy) | Facial bite wound | — | — | $165,000 settlement for a toddler’s facial bite |
| $150,000 | Burlington | Child (boy) | Scars on face, arm, chest and back | Rottweilers (two) | — | $150,000 Rottweiler attack settlement for a boy with multiple scars |
| $150,000 | Camden | Child (boy) | Multiple leg scars; landlord held liable | — | — | $150,000 landlord liability settlement for a child’s leg scars |
| $150,000 | Ocean | Adult (woman) | Severe forearm bite; skin grafts | Neighbor-tenant’s dog | — | $150,000 forearm skin graft settlement after other firms declined |
| $150,000 | Essex | Adult (man) | Multiple treatments and shots; nearly $75,000 in hospital bills | Acquaintance’s uninsured dog | — | $150,000 Essex County uninsured dog attack settlement |
| $125,000 | Atlantic | 6 (boy) | Bites to face and under chin | Bulldog | — | $125,000 settlement for a child’s face and chin bites |
| $125,000 | Burlington | Child (boy) | Facial wounds; therapy for fear of dogs | Friend’s family dog | — | $125,000 settlement for a boy’s facial wounds and dog-related trauma |
| $100,000 | Mercer | 9 | 4 cm cheek wound, 19 stitches, plastic surgery | German Shepherd | 2025 | $100,000 German Shepherd cheek bite settlement for a 9-year-old |
| $100,000 | Monmouth | Child | Several facial wounds, scarring, psychological trauma | Neighbor’s dog | — | $100,000 settlement for a child’s facial scarring from a neighbor’s dog |
| $100,000 | Gloucester | 8 (boy) | Upper lip bite | German Shepherd | — | $100,000 settlement for an 8-year-old’s lip injury |
| $100,000 | Monmouth | Adult (woman) | Hand bite; trigger-finger release surgery | — | — | $100,000 hand bite settlement with finger surgery |
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and depends on its own facts. “—” means the detail is not stated in the case write-up.
What New Jersey Law Says About Dog Bite Liability
New Jersey is a strict liability state for dog bites. Under N.J.S.A. 4:19-16, a dog’s owner is liable when the dog bites someone who is in a public place or lawfully on private property, including the owner’s own property. It does not matter whether the dog had ever bitten anyone before or whether the owner knew it was dangerous.
New Jersey judges instruct juries on this rule using Model Civil Jury Charge 5.60A, “Statutory Owner – Dog Bite Liability” (last revised October 2022). The charge tells jurors what an injured person has to prove: the defendant owned the dog, the dog bit them, and they were in a public place or lawfully on private property when it happened.
Strict liability under the statute applies to the dog’s owner. Claims against others, such as a landlord who knew about a dangerous dog, rely on negligence instead. Several of the cases above, including the Camden County landlord case, turned on that kind of claim.
In New Jersey, dog bite claims averaged more than $72,000 per claim in 2024—above the national average of $69,272, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Minor bites may resolve for far less, while serious cases involving surgery, facial injuries, or permanent scarring can reach six and even seven figures. Because New Jersey is a strict liability state, owners are responsible even if their dog has never bitten before. When a child is hurt, the value can climb even higher, since children often face reconstructive procedures, therapy, and lifelong scarring. At The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer, we have secured settlements as high as $1 million for a child bitten in the face, and we fight to make sure every family receives the full compensation they deserve.
What Damages Does a Dog Bite Settlement Cover Under New Jersey Law?
While your life may never be the same after a dog attack, financial compensation can help you pay for past and future medical care and maintain your standard of living. You may be able to recover the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering, including counseling and therapy
- Loss of enjoyment
- Wrongful death
In extreme cases, you may also be eligible for punitive damages, though punitive damages are not common in New Jersey.
Insurance companies pay dog bite damages for economic and non-economic damages. Personal injury lawyers can explain what damages you are eligible for in a dog bite claim.
The named insured on a homeowner’s policy is not always the owner of the dog that attacked you. But they can still be held liable for damages if that dog was harbored at their residence, and if the dog’s true owners are resident relatives of the named insured (meaning they lived with the dog at the insured’s home at the time of the bite).
Dog Bite Insurance Claims in New Jersey: The Latest Data
Most dog bite settlements are paid by the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance. According to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and State Farm, which published their 2025 figures in April 2026:
- Nationwide: 28,450 dog bite claims in 2025, costing insurers $1.86 billion. The average cost per claim was $65,450, down 5.5% from $69,272 in 2024.
- New Jersey: 818 claims in 2025, totaling $63 million. The average cost per claim was $77,447, above the national average. New Jersey ranked 10th among states for the number of claims.
These are averages across all claims, including minor bites that settle quickly. Serious injuries, especially facial scarring, injuries to children, and injuries that need surgery, are typically worth more, as the case results above show.
Which Victims Are Eligible for a Settlement Under New Jersey Law?
To secure a settlement, you must first establish that the dog owner (or another party) is financially liable for the incident.
Strict Liability: New Jersey is a “strict liability” state (N.J.S.A. 4:19-16). You do not need to prove the owner was negligent to win a settlement; owners are financially responsible even if the dog has never bitten anyone before (no “one-bite rule”).
Location Matters: To qualify for strict liability damages, you must have been bitten in a public place or lawfully on private property. Trespassers (such as burglars) are generally not entitled to a settlement because the property owner does not owe them the same duty of care.
Delivery Drivers & Postal Workers: Because these workers have an “implied invitation” to enter the property for their jobs, they are lawfully on the premises and fully eligible to seek a settlement for a dog attack.
Knock-Downs vs. Bites: If a dog knocks you down but does not bite you, you can still pursue a settlement, but strict liability does not apply. Instead, you must prove the owner was negligent and failed to control the dog.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Settlement Claim In New Jersey?
Statute of Limitations: You generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Failing to file within this window usually forfeits your right to sue for a settlement.
Settlements for Minors: If the victim is a child, the two-year statute of limitations is tolled (paused) until they turn 18. Furthermore, settlement funds awarded to a minor must typically be held in a secure trust until they come of age.
Length of the Process: A settlement typically takes anywhere from 6 to 18 months. Attorneys usually wait to settle until you finish medical treatment and reach maximum medical improvement, so all costs are accounted for. Complex cases or disputed liability can extend this timeline.
Who Pays the Settlement After a Dog Bite in NJ?
Most dog bite settlements are not paid out of pocket by the dog owner, but rather through insurance companies. An attorney will negotiate with the owner’s insurance adjuster to pursue compensation.
Immediate Medical Bills
Usually, your own health insurance pays your immediate medical bills as they come in. Once you receive your final settlement, your health insurer will seek reimbursement from that payout—a process known as subrogation.
Types of Insurance That Cover Settlements
The following insurance policies may be utilized to cover a dog bite claim:
Homeowner’s, condo, or co-op insurance (Note: Some carriers exclude specific breeds like Pit Bulls or Rottweilers)
Renter’s insurance
Mobile homeowner’s insurance
Landlord insurance
Canine liability coverage or dog owner liability insurance
Automobile insurance (if the bite occurred in or around a vehicle)
Business or general liability insurance (if the incident happened at a commercial property)
Umbrella or Excess policies
What if the Dog Owner is Uninsured?
If the dog owner has no applicable insurance, you may have to sue them personally. Collecting a settlement can be difficult if the owner lacks personal assets. In these scenarios, an attorney will look for other liable parties.
Schedule Your Free Dog Bite Settlement Case Review
David Cowhey is a distinguished New Jersey personal injury attorney with extensive experience handling a wide variety of complex settlement claims across the state. He intimately understands the heavy physical and financial burdens these cases bring, as well as the deceptive tactics insurance companies consistently deploy to undervalue your injuries.
Do not sign any settlement agreement from any insurance carrier until you complete your free consultation with David Cowhey.
Injured in a Dog Attack in New Jersey?
Dog bite injuries can leave victims with lasting physical, emotional, and financial burdens. David J. Cowhey represents dog bite victims across New Jersey and can help you understand your rights, your potential claim, and the next steps after an attack.
