This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by Ruben Davidoff following our comprehensive editorial guidelines Ruben Davidoff ,the Founding Partner, has 30+ years of legal experience as a New York personal injury attorney.
When a dog bite strikes the face, the injuries can be life-changing and often require serious medical treatment. Victims may deal with deep cuts, broken bones, or even permanent nerve damage, which can leave lasting scars and cause both physical pain and emotional distress. Facial wounds are harder to heal, and they may require future medical treatment such as plastic surgery or physical therapy to restore appearance and function.
Davidoff Law knows that many injury victims feel lost after a violent dog bite. Our law firm helps dog bite victims in Queens take legal action against negligent dog owners so they can recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma.
A Queens dog bite lawyer from our legal team can handle every part of the case, from collecting medical records and witness statements to speaking with insurance companies. If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries from a dog attack, our Queens dog bite attorneys are ready to fight for fair compensation and maximum compensation under New York law.
Table of Contents
Why Facial Dog Bite Injuries Are So Serious
Facial dog bite injuries are among the most severe types of harm because the face has delicate skin, muscles, and nerves that can be damaged very quickly.
These injuries often require emergency room visits and follow-up medical treatment, which means the medical bills can rise quickly. The long recovery process also brings major emotional distress and psychological trauma that many dog bite cases do not involve.
High Risk of Scarring and Disfigurement
Dog bite attacks to the face often leave scars that never fully fade, even with medical treatment. Disfigurement can affect self-confidence, relationships, and job opportunities for the victim.
Injured clients may need cosmetic surgery and physical therapy to repair the damage, and some may face permanent scarring despite these efforts. The risk of lasting disfigurement is one of the reasons victims seek compensation through a dog bite claim.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
Facial injuries cause more than physical pain because victims often feel emotional trauma when they see their changed appearance in the mirror. They may also experience psychological trauma that affects how they interact with others.
This emotional harm can last for years and may require counseling or ongoing care. Many dog bite victims say the emotional scars are just as painful as the wounds themselves.
Higher Medical Costs
Medical expenses for facial injuries are often much higher because they require specialized medical treatment, hospital stays, and sometimes future medical treatment. Victims may need several surgeries, long recovery times, and ongoing therapy.
The financial burden can quickly become overwhelming without legal guidance, especially if lost income adds to the stress. A personal injury attorney can help victims seek compensation for all medical documentation, medical records, and costs.
New York Dog Bite Laws Protecting Victims
New York dog bite laws give strong protection to victims who suffer severe harm, including facial injuries. These laws explain when dog owners are strictly liable and what evidence is needed to recover compensation.
A Queens dog bite case can become complex, but a skilled dog bite lawyer can explain how New York law applies to the victim’s personal injury case.
Strict Liability in Serious Injury Cases
When a victim suffers serious injuries, the dog owner can be held under strict liability rules. That means the owner may be strictly liable for damages even if they argue they did not know the dog could attack.
Strict liability ensures that victims can recover compensation for medical attention, medical care, and financial recovery without proving too much about the dog’s history.
The “One Bite Rule” and Knowledge of Aggression
The one bite rule applies when an owner knew or should have known about the dog’s dangerous tendencies. If the dog had a dog bite incident before or showed vicious behavior, then the owner is responsible.
New York law makes negligent dog owners accountable when their dog causes harm after showing signs of aggressive behavior. This protects dog bite victims in many dog bite cases.
Local Leash Laws in Queens
Local authorities in Queens require dogs to be leashed in public, and ignoring these rules can make negligent owners fully responsible. These laws help stop dangerous dog attacks before they happen.
When an owner fails to follow leash rules, animal control reports can be used as proof in a personal injury lawsuit. This helps the injured clients show that the owner should be held liable.
Common Types of Face Injuries From Dog Bites
Facial wounds from dog bite attacks are some of the most serious injuries because they affect both appearance and daily function, making recovery very hard for victims. Many of these injuries require emergency medical treatment, ongoing therapy, and sometimes even future surgeries.
A Queens dog bite lawyer and skilled personal injury lawyers can help victims seek compensation for these painful injuries and losses.
Deep Lacerations and Puncture Wounds
Deep lacerations on the face can leave wide scars that do not heal well and often require stitches or surgery. Puncture wounds can also damage tissue and cause infections that make the healing process much longer and more painful.
These wounds can change how a person looks and feels, leading many victims to turn to personal injury lawyers for help in getting fair compensation. A trusted Queens dog bite lawyer can use medical records and proof of injuries to show the true cost of the harm.
Broken Bones or Nerve Damage
A strong dog bite can break facial bones such as the jaw, nose, or cheekbones, causing lasting pain and difficulty with eating or speaking. Some victims may also face nerve damage that affects movement and sensation in parts of the face.
Broken bones can heal with medical treatment, but permanent nerve damage can leave victims with lasting problems that never fully improve. In these cases, personal injury lawyers step in to make sure victims are supported and that their rights are fully protected.
Scarring and Disfigurement
Scarring and disfigurement are some of the hardest outcomes of facial dog bite injuries because they change a victim’s appearance permanently. Even with advanced medical treatment and cosmetic surgery, scars can remain visible for life.
This type of injury often brings emotional trauma in addition to physical pain, making legal support very important. A Queens dog bite lawyer can fight to make sure victims receive enough compensation to cover not only medical bills but also the emotional impact of these scars.
Compensation for Facial Dog Bite Injuries in Queens
Compensation is meant to cover every harm suffered, from medical bills to emotional trauma. Victims of a Queens dog bite often face higher costs because facial wounds require more medical treatment than other injuries. Personal injury lawyers help clients seek compensation that provides fair recovery for all damages.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses include hospital bills, surgeries, medication, and ongoing therapy. Victims may also need future medical treatment for scars or permanent damage. Keeping medical records and medical documentation is important for proving the full costs. This makes it easier for a dog bite attorney to recover compensation.
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Ability
When victims suffer serious facial injuries, they may not be able to return to work for weeks or months, which causes lost income. Some may even lose the ability to do the same type of job if scarring or nerve damage limits them. Personal injury lawyers help prove these losses and fight for fair compensation.
Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Distress
Dog bite injuries to the face bring both physical pain and deep emotional distress. Victims may feel fear, sadness, or embarrassment because of scars or changes to their appearance. These struggles can affect family life, work, and confidence in daily activities. Personal injury lawyers show this harm in court so victims can recover compensation for long-term suffering.
How a Queens Dog Bite Face Injury Lawyer Can Help
A Queens dog bite face injury lawyer works to protect victims’ rights and help them recover compensation. Experienced Queens dog bite lawyers understand personal injury cases and how to prove liability when negligent dog owners fail to control their pets.
With legal guidance, victims can focus on healing while the law office handles the claim.
Investigating the Attack
The lawyer will gather evidence such as medical records, witness statements, and animal control reports. This helps show how the dog caused serious injuries. By building strong proof, the lawyer increases the chance of fair compensation. This step is critical in many dog bite cases.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to limit payments in dog bite claims. A skilled Queens dog bite attorney will fight for a fair settlement that covers all damages and makes sure the victim does not accept less than what is deserved. Negotiations are key to financial recovery without trial.
Litigating in Court if Necessary
If insurance companies do not offer fair compensation, the case may go to trial, but having a personal injury lawyer by your side can help you present evidence, question witnesses, and fight for maximum compensation. Taking the case to court ensures negligent owners are held liable. This gives the injured clients the best chance at justice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can be held liable for a dog bite to the face?
Dog owners are usually responsible, especially if the owner knew the dog had dangerous tendencies.
What should I do right after a dog bite?
Seek medical attention, report the attack to animal control, and gather evidence like photos and witness statements.
How do insurance companies handle dog bite claims?
Insurance companies may try to reduce payouts, which is why legal guidance from a dog bite lawyer is important.
Are dog bite victims covered under personal injury law?
Yes, these cases are treated as personal injury cases, and personal injury lawyers can help victims seek compensation.
Can a dog bite lead to a personal injury lawsuit?
Yes, a dangerous dog attack can lead to a personal injury lawsuit if the victim suffers serious harm. In rare cases, a dog bite can even affect the spinal cord or cause other lasting injuries, and filing a lawsuit helps victims recover fair compensation for those damages.
Contact Our Queens Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one suffered facial injuries from a dog bite in Queens, you deserve strong support and legal guidance. Facial wounds can leave permanent scars, require ongoing medical treatment, and cause emotional trauma that affects every part of life. You should not have to face negligent dog owners and insurance companies on your own.
At Davidoff Law, our law offices fight for injury victims in every Queens dog bite case. We know how to gather evidence, work with medical documentation, and demand fair compensation for injured clients. Our personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping you recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, and emotional harm.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a trusted Queens dog bite lawyer who will stand by your side.
Ruben Davidoff, founder of Davidoff Law, established his practice in 2012 after moving to Queens in 1988 and beginning his legal career in 1997. Admitted in NY State and the US District Court for the Eastern District of NY, he has extensive experience in personal injury, handling various cases like airline crashes, auto accidents, and slip/trip and fall cases. Mr. Davidoff provides personalized attention, recovering millions for clients through settlements or verdicts, leveraging decades of experience.
