Dog Bite Injuries To The Face In Michigan - Long‑Term Scarring And Compensation

A dog bite to the face is not just a cut or puncture wound. Facial injuries are highly visible, can damage delicate structures around the eyes, nose, lips, and nerves, and often leave permanent scars. For children, these wounds occur at eye level with many dogs and can be especially severe.

Medical research shows that in children under five, roughly two‑thirds of dog bites involve the head and neck, and many of these cases require specialist care or surgery to repair facial damage and reduce scarring.

If you or your child suffered a facial dog bite in Michigan, you may be dealing with emergency treatment, the fear of long‑term scarring, and questions about compensation. This page explains how these injuries affect victims, how Michigan law addresses facial scarring, and what compensation may be available.

Why Facial Dog Bites Are Different

The face contains critical structures packed into a small area – skin, muscles of expression, facial nerves, tear ducts, eyelids, lips, nose, and airway. A single bite can:

• Tear or crush soft tissue
• Damage salivary ducts, tear ducts, or cartilage
• Create irregular wounds that are hard to close cleanly

Because the face has a rich blood supply, doctors often close facial dog-bite wounds after thorough cleaning and antibiotic treatment to balance infection risk with the need for the best possible cosmetic result. Plastic or maxillofacial surgeons are frequently involved in more serious cases. 

In young children, there is an added concern: their faces are still growing. A scar that looks acceptable today can widen, pull on nearby structures (such as an eyelid or lip), or become more noticeable over time, sometimes requiring revision surgery.

Long‑Term Scarring, Disfigurement, And Emotional Trauma

Facial dog bites can leave:

• Thin, flat scars that still stand out due to color or location
• Wider or raised scars (hypertrophic or keloid‑type scarring)
• Irregular, jagged scars that distort normal contours of the nose, lips, or cheeks

Even when only the skin is damaged, about half of dog bites in children involve cosmetic concerns that justify careful follow‑up and sometimes specialist treatment. 

The psychological impact is equally serious. Reviews of pediatric dog bite cases show high rates of new anxiety, fear of dogs, nightmares, and – in a significant minority of children – post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially when the face or neck is involved. Another large review found PTSD, dog phobia, nightmares, and avoidance behaviors to be the most common psychological consequences of dog bites in children. 

Because of this, good care after a dog bite often includes both:

• Ongoing scar management and, when needed, consultation with a plastic or facial surgeon
• Early screening for emotional symptoms and referral to a child psychologist or therapist if nightmares, avoidance, or intense fear persist

Michigan Law On Facial Dog Bite Injuries And Scarring

Strict Liability Under MCL 287.351

Michigan is a strict liability state for dog bites. Under Michigan’s dog bite statute (MCL 287.351), if a dog bites a person without provocation while that person is on public property or lawfully on private property, the dog’s owner is liable for “any damages” the victim suffers. The owner’s knowledge of the dog’s prior behavior does not matter. 

The Lee Steinberg Law Firm’s own overview of Michigan dog bite law explains this in plain language: if you were lawfully present and did not provoke the dog, the owner is responsible for your injuries, even if the dog had never bitten anyone before. 

There is no “one free bite” rule in Michigan. 

For facial injuries and scarring, this same statute applies. If the legal requirements are met, the owner can be held responsible not only for immediate medical bills but also for long‑term consequences like permanent scarring and reconstructive surgery.

Deadlines To Bring A Claim

In most Michigan dog bite cases, you have three years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit. Other Michigan personal injury authorities confirm this three‑year deadline, with special rules for minors: a child injured by a dog generally has until around their 19th birthday to file, but families are strongly encouraged to act much sooner to preserve evidence and maximize case value. 

If a government entity or government‑owned dog is involved, shorter notice deadlines can apply, sometimes as little as 60–180 days. It is important to speak with a Michigan dog bite lawyer promptly so you do not lose your rights by waiting.

Compensation For Facial Scarring And Disfigurement In Michigan

Michigan law allows recovery of all categories of harm caused by a qualifying dog bite. For facial injuries and scarring, compensation can include:

• Emergency and hospital care – ER visits, surgery, stitches, imaging, antibiotics, tetanus and rabies care
• Plastic and reconstructive surgery – initial repair, later scar revision, fat grafting, laser treatments, or other procedures to improve appearance and function
• Future medical care – especially for children whose scars may change as they grow and need revision
• Psychological treatment – counseling or trauma‑focused therapy for PTSD, anxiety, fear of dogs, or body‑image concerns
• Lost income and benefits – time off work for parents and adult victims, or reduced earning capacity in severe cases
• Pain and suffering – physical pain, sleep disruption, and loss of enjoyment of normal activities
• Scarring and disfigurement – Michigan’s legal definition of noneconomic loss expressly includes physical disfigurement alongside pain and suffering and other subjective harms. 

Legal treatises and recent Michigan dog bite commentary emphasize that Michigan’s dog bite statute does not impose a special damages cap: victims can seek full compensation for medical bills, scarring, emotional trauma, and other losses, subject mainly to the evidence presented and any applicable insurance limits.  Importantly, in many cases payment comes from the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance, not directly from a friend, neighbor, or family member. 

How Much Is A Facial Dog Bite Case Worth In Michigan

There is no fixed chart for what a facial dog bite case “should” settle for. The value depends heavily on the facts. However, data can give some context:

• Recent Insurance Information Institute data show that the average U.S. dog‑related injury claim in 2023 cost about $58,545. 
• A 2023 analysis of Michigan claims found that the average dog bite claim in Michigan exceeds $69,000, higher than the national average. 

Cases involving permanent facial disfigurement, multiple surgeries, or documented PTSD often resolve above these averages when there is sufficient insurance coverage and strong medical and psychological documentation. Michigan‑focused dog bite resources note that permanent facial scarring and reconstructive surgery are among the factors that can push settlements into the high five or six figures in appropriate cases.  

Key factors that influence compensation for a facial dog bite in Michigan include:

• Location and visibility of the scar – central facial scars (nose, lips, cheeks, eyelids) usually carry higher value than small scars hidden in the hairline
• Severity and permanence – size, color, irregularity, and whether the scar is raised, painful, or causes pulling of nearby structures
• Age of the victim – young children may live with the scar for decades, increasing the long‑term impact on self‑esteem and social life
• Need for current and future treatment – number of surgeries, likelihood of future revisions, and cost of therapy
• Psychological harm – PTSD, nightmares, school avoidance, or social withdrawal documented by mental‑health professionals. 
• Insurance coverage – homeowners and renters policies often carry limits between $100,000 and $300,000 or more, which can cap what is realistically recoverable even in a strong case. 

Every case is unique. Past outcomes and averages cannot predict your specific result, but they underscore why serious facial cases should be evaluated carefully by an experienced Michigan dog bite law firm before accepting any quick settlement.

Why Work With An Experienced Michigan Dog Bite Lawyer

Facial dog bite cases are more complex than many people realize. A strong claim often requires:

• Coordinating with plastic surgeons and other specialists to project future treatment costs
• Documenting how scars evolve over 12–18 months before any final settlement discussions
• Capturing high‑quality photographs and, in some cases, expert scar assessments
• Obtaining psychological evaluations when a child shows signs of PTSD, fear of dogs, or social withdrawal

The Lee Steinberg Law Firm has focused on Michigan personal injury cases, including dog bites, for more than 50 years, and reports having recovered millions of dollars for dog bite victims with injuries such as permanent scarring and nerve damage. Their published results include multiple six‑figure recoveries in Michigan dog‑related injury cases. 

The firm’s dog bite team routinely:

• Investigates the attack, obtains animal control and police reports, and interviews witnesses
• Works with medical and psychological experts to fully document scarring, future care, and emotional trauma 
• Identifies all available insurance policies and negotiates directly with insurers
• Handles cases on a contingency fee, meaning clients pay no attorney fees unless there is a settlement or verdict in their favor 

Talk With A Michigan Lawyer About A Facial Dog Bite

If you or your child has suffered a dog bite to the face anywhere in Michigan, you do not have to navigate medical bills, scarring, and insurance negotiations alone.

You can contact the Lee Steinberg Law Firm at 1‑800‑LEE‑FREE (1‑800‑533‑3733) or request a free consultation through the firm’s website to:

• Understand how Michigan’s dog bite statute applies to your situation
• Get an honest discussion of the potential value of your facial scarring claim
• Learn how to protect your rights while you focus on medical and emotional recovery

This article is general information about Michigan law and medical issues. It is not medical or legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney‑client relationship. Because strict deadlines apply to dog bite claims, consider speaking with a Michigan dog bite lawyer as soon as you can.