Facial scarring from a dog bite is more than a physical injury – it’s a permanent reminder of a traumatic event that can affect your self-esteem, professional opportunities, and quality of life for years to come. If you’ve suffered facial scarring from a dog bite in Michigan, you have legal rights to compensation that goes far beyond basic medical bills.
The reality: Facial scarring significantly increases settlement values in Michigan dog bite cases, often doubling or tripling compensation amounts compared to cases without visible scarring.
In this guide, we’ll explain your rights to compensation for facial scarring in Michigan, typical settlement ranges, coverage for revision surgeries, and how to maximize your claim’s value.
Why Facial Scarring Increases Michigan Dog Bite Settlements
The Legal Basis
Under Michigan law, dog bite victims can recover compensation for both economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) and non-economic damages (pain, suffering, and disfigurement).
Facial scarring falls under “disfigurement” and “loss of enjoyment of life” – categories that command significant compensation because:
- Permanent visibility: Unlike scars on arms or legs that can be covered, facial scars are always visible
- Psychological impact: Studies show facial scarring causes higher rates of anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Social and professional consequences: Research indicates facial scarring can negatively affect employment opportunities, social interactions, and romantic relationships
- Permanence: While medical bills are one-time costs, facial scars last a lifetime
Michigan Jury Verdicts: When facial scarring cases go to trial, Michigan juries consistently award substantially higher verdicts – often 2-5 times higher than cases involving similar medical costs without facial scarring.
Types of Facial Scarring from Dog Bites
1. Puncture Scars
Description: Deep, circular scars where the dog’s teeth penetrated the skin
Common locations: Cheeks, forehead, chin, neck
Treatment: Often requires multiple revision surgeries to minimize appearance
Settlement impact: Moderate to high, depending on visibility and size
Michigan Example: Jennifer from Farmington Hills was bitten on her left cheek by a neighbor’s Labrador. The puncture scars required three scar revision surgeries over 18 months. Her case settled for $167,000 – the initial offer before scar severity became clear was $42,000.
2. Lacerations & Gash Scars
Description: Long, irregular scars where dog’s teeth tore the skin
Common locations: Across cheeks, from mouth to ear, across forehead
Treatment: Initial stitches, followed by laser treatments and surgical scar revision
Settlement impact: High – these scars are often highly visible and disfiguring
Michigan Example: Marcus from Detroit suffered a 6-inch laceration across his face from a pit bull attack in Wayne County. Despite skilled emergency stitching, the scar remained prominent. His settlement: $224,000, with $85,000 allocated specifically for future scar revision procedures.
3. Avulsion Injuries (Torn Tissue)
Description: Severe injuries where skin and tissue are torn away, often requiring skin grafts or reconstructive surgery
Common locations: Nose, ears, lips, eyelids
Treatment: Emergency reconstructive surgery, multiple follow-up procedures, potential prosthetics
Settlement impact: Very high – these life-altering injuries command six-figure settlements
Michigan Example: Sarah from Grand Rapids lost part of her ear and suffered severe facial tissue damage from a Rottweiler attack in Kent County. Her reconstructive surgeries totaled $178,000, and her total settlement reached $495,000 – one of the highest dog bite settlements in Michigan in 2023.
4. Nerve Damage with Facial Paralysis
Description: Dog bite damages facial nerves, causing permanent or temporary facial paralysis, drooping, or loss of expression
Common locations: Along jaw line, cheek, near eyes
Treatment: Nerve repair surgery, physical therapy, potentially permanent
Settlement impact: Very high – functional impairment plus visible disfigurement
Michigan Example: Robert from Ann Arbor suffered nerve damage to his facial nerve from a German Shepherd attack. The resulting partial facial paralysis affected his smile and eye closure. Settlement: $312,000 (Washtenaw County, 2023).
Michigan Compensation for Facial Scarring: What You Can Recover
1. Past Medical Expenses
Covered costs: – Emergency room treatment – Plastic surgery and reconstructive procedures – Hospital stays – Medications and antibiotics – Wound care supplies – Psychological counseling for trauma
Michigan Average: $15,000-$85,000 for initial treatment of facial dog bite injuries
2. Future Medical Expenses
Critical component: Insurance companies often try to settle quickly, before victims realize they’ll need future procedures.
Common future medical needs: – Scar revision surgeries (typically 2-5 procedures over several years) – Laser scar treatments (multiple sessions, $500-$3,000 per session) – Dermabrasion or chemical peels – Injectable fillers to improve scar appearance – Ongoing psychological counseling
Cost projection: Michigan plastic surgeons often testify that facial scar revision can cost $50,000-$150,000 over a victim’s lifetime.
Michigan Example: Lisa from Southfield settled her case for $89,000 just 3 months after her dog bite. Two years later, her scars darkened and became more prominent, requiring $67,000 in additional treatments. Unfortunately, she had already signed a release and couldn’t reopen her case – a mistake that cost her tens of thousands.
Lesson: Never settle a facial scarring case until your plastic surgeon confirms you’ve reached “maximum medical improvement” and provides a written estimate of future treatment needs.
3. Pain and Suffering
Calculation method: Michigan courts typically use a “multiplier” method:
Formula: (Total medical expenses) × (Multiplier of 1.5 to 5) = Pain and Suffering Damages
Multiplier factors for facial scarring: – 1.5-2x: Minor scarring, less visible, minimal psychological impact – 2-3x: Moderate scarring, clearly visible, some psychological distress – 3-4x: Significant scarring, highly visible, substantial psychological impact – 4-5x: Severe disfigurement, life-altering impact, permanent disability
Michigan Example: Jason from Lansing suffered facial dog bite injuries requiring $48,000 in medical treatment. His attorney argued for a 4x multiplier due to prominent scarring affecting his career as a salesperson. Settlement: $192,000 for pain and suffering + $48,000 medical expenses = $240,000 total.
4. Disfigurement Damages
Separate from pain and suffering: Michigan law recognizes disfigurement as a distinct category of damages.
Factors affecting disfigurement compensation: – Size and location of scars – Visibility (can scars be covered with clothing or makeup?) – Age of victim (younger victims have lifetime of scarring ahead) – Gender considerations (courts acknowledge different social pressures) – Occupation (visible scarring may affect professional opportunities)
Michigan Case Example: In Doe v. Smith (Oakland County Circuit Court, 2022), a 26-year-old female professional received $175,000 specifically for disfigurement damages separate from her $82,000 in medical expenses and $95,000 in pain and suffering – total settlement of $352,000.
5. Emotional Distress & Psychological Damages
Recognized impacts of facial scarring: – Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – Anxiety and depression – Social withdrawal and isolation – Body dysmorphia – Loss of self-esteem – Fear of dogs (cynophobia)
Documentation needed: – Psychological evaluation from licensed therapist or psychiatrist – Diagnosis of PTSD, anxiety, depression, or other conditions – Treatment records showing ongoing therapy – Expert testimony on long-term psychological prognosis
Michigan settlements: Psychological damages for facial scarring victims typically add $25,000-$100,000+ to settlement value, depending on severity of trauma.
6. Loss of Enjoyment of Life
What this covers: – Inability to participate in activities you previously enjoyed – Avoiding social situations due to self-consciousness – Impact on romantic relationships – Reduced quality of life – Embarrassment and humiliation in public
Michigan Example: Brittany from Warren was an avid runner who participated in 5K races every month. After a dog bite left prominent scars on her face, she stopped attending races due to self-consciousness. Her settlement included $45,000 for loss of enjoyment of life, reflecting how the scarring changed her lifestyle.
Michigan Facial Scarring Settlements: Real Case Values
Minor Facial Scarring
Description: Small scars, less than 2 inches, partially concealed
Medical costs: $8,000-$25,000
Typical settlement range: $35,000-$75,000
Example: Small scar near hairline from minor bite
Moderate Facial Scarring
Description: Visible scars, 2-5 inches, requires some scar revision
Medical costs: $25,000-$75,000
Typical settlement range: $75,000-$185,000
Example: Noticeable scar across cheek requiring 2-3 revision surgeries
Severe Facial Scarring
Description: Large, highly visible scars, significant disfigurement
Medical costs: $75,000-$200,000+
Typical settlement range: $185,000-$450,000+
Example: Multiple deep scars, tissue loss, permanent facial changes
Catastrophic Facial Injuries
Description: Loss of facial features, extensive reconstructive surgery, permanent disability
Medical costs: $200,000-$500,000+
Typical settlement range: $450,000-$1,000,000+
Example: Loss of ear, nose damage, extensive skin grafting
Age Matters: Children’s Facial Scarring Cases
Special considerations for minors:
1. Lifetime of Impact
A child with facial scarring faces: – Decades of living with visible scars – Potential bullying and social challenges throughout school years – Increased likelihood of psychological trauma – Greater need for future revision surgeries as face grows
Michigan law: Children’s cases typically receive significantly higher settlements because of the lifelong impact.
2. Growth & Development
Critical issue: As children grow, facial scars can: – Become more prominent – Require additional surgeries to maintain appearance – Stretch or change shape
Medical expert testimony: Pediatric plastic surgeons testify that childhood facial scars often require 5-10 revision procedures from childhood through adulthood.
3. Extended Statute of Limitations
Michigan benefit: MCL § 600.5851 gives children until their 19th birthday to file a dog bite lawsuit – much longer than the standard 3-year statute of limitations for adults.
Strategic consideration: Parents can wait until children are older to fully understand the long-term impact of scarring before settling.
Real Michigan Case:
Emily, age 7, was bitten on her face by a neighbor’s dog in Macomb County. Her parents’ attorney recommended waiting until she was 12 to evaluate the full impact of scarring through her developmental years. By age 12, it was clear she’d need multiple future surgeries. Her case settled when she was 13 for $487,000 – far more than the $125,000 offered immediately after the attack when she was 7.
Revision Surgery Coverage: Understanding Your Options
What is Scar Revision Surgery?
Goal: Minimize the appearance of scars through surgical and non-surgical techniques
Common procedures: – Z-plasty: Redirects scar to align with natural skin folds – W-plasty: Breaks up straight scar lines – Skin grafting: Replaces scar tissue with healthy skin from elsewhere on body – Laser resurfacing: Reduces redness and texture irregularities – Steroid injections: Flattens raised scars – Dermabrasion: Smooths scar surface
Timeline for Revision Surgeries
Critical understanding: Scars evolve over time. Optimal revision surgery timing:
6-12 months after initial injury: First revision to improve scar while still healing
12-24 months: Second revision as scar matures
2-5 years: Additional revisions as needed to address changes
10+ years: Long-term maintenance revisions
Why this matters: Your settlement must account for decades of potential revision needs, not just immediate medical costs.
Cost of Facial Scar Revision in Michigan
Average costs: – Single revision procedure: $5,000-$15,000 – Laser treatments (series of 3-5): $3,000-$10,000 – Injectable fillers (annual): $1,500-$4,000 – Dermabrasion (per session): $1,000-$3,000
Lifetime total: $50,000-$200,000+ depending on scar severity
Insurance Coverage vs. Settlement Responsibility
Health insurance: May cover some revision surgeries if deemed “medically necessary” (functional impairment) but often denies coverage for “cosmetic” procedures
Settlement purpose: Should include sufficient compensation to cover all future revision needs without relying on health insurance
Attorney strategy: Experienced Michigan dog bite attorneys hire plastic surgeons as expert witnesses to testify about future medical needs, ensuring settlement includes adequate future medical expenses.
How to Maximize Your Facial Scarring Settlement
1. Document Everything
Photo timeline: – Take photos daily for first month – Weekly photos for next 6 months – Monthly photos for first 2 years – Annual photos thereafter
Why: Shows scar evolution and can prove scars worsened over time
Pro tip: Include a coin or ruler in photos to show scale
2. Follow All Medical Advice
Critical: Insurance companies look for reasons to deny or reduce claims. If you: – Miss follow-up appointments – Refuse recommended treatments – Don’t follow wound care instructions
They’ll argue you’re responsible for poor scar healing, not the dog bite.
Michigan Example: David from Novi had his settlement reduced by $45,000 because he missed several plastic surgery follow-ups. The insurance company successfully argued his scars would have healed better with proper care.
3. Get Expert Medical Opinions
Essential experts: – Plastic surgeon: Testifies about need for future revisions – Psychologist: Documents emotional and psychological impact – Vocational expert: (If applicable) Explains how scarring affects employment prospects
Investment: Expert witnesses cost $3,000-$10,000 but can increase settlement by $50,000-$150,000+
4. Don’t Rush to Settle
Insurance pressure tactics: – “This offer expires in 48 hours” – “You’ll never get more than this” – “Your medical bills are only $X, so that’s all you deserve”
Reality: Facial scarring cases take 12-24 months to fully evaluate. Insurance companies profit when victims settle quickly for less than cases are worth.
Wait until: – Your plastic surgeon confirms you’re at maximum medical improvement – You have a clear understanding of future medical needs – Your psychological impact is fully documented
5. Hire an Experienced Michigan Dog Bite Attorney
Why facial scarring cases require specialized attorneys: – Understanding of plastic surgery procedures and costs – Relationships with medical experts – Knowledge of Michigan disfigurement case law – Experience negotiating with insurance companies on high-value claims
Statistics: Victims with attorneys receive settlements 3.5 times higher on average than those negotiating alone – and this gap is even larger for facial scarring cases.
Common Insurance Company Tactics to Minimize Facial Scarring Claims
Tactic #1: “Your scars will fade over time”
Insurance claim: “Let’s settle now because your scars will get better”
Reality: While scars do evolve, many become MORE prominent over time. Dark scars can get darker, raised scars can become more raised, and scars can widen as facial skin ages.
Response: Wait for plastic surgeon’s final assessment before settling
Tactic #2: “Makeup can cover the scars”
Insurance claim: “The scarring isn’t that bad because you can use cosmetic makeup”
Reality: – Special scar-covering makeup costs $40-$80 per product – Requires daily application (time and cost burden) – Doesn’t always fully conceal scars – Doesn’t address psychological impact
Response: Makeup is a daily reminder of the injury, not a solution. Settlement should include lifetime cost of scar-covering cosmetics ($25,000-$50,000 over lifetime)
Tactic #3: “The surgery was cosmetic, not medically necessary”
Insurance claim: “We won’t pay for cosmetic procedures”
Reality: Under Michigan law, procedures to improve function AND appearance after traumatic injury are compensable, even if insurance labels them “cosmetic”
Legal principle: Restoring someone’s pre-injury appearance after a traumatic event is considered restorative, not elective cosmetic surgery
Tactic #4: “You had pre-existing acne/skin conditions”
Insurance claim: Attempting to blame scarring on pre-existing skin conditions
Reality: Medical records clearly show difference between acne scars and traumatic dog bite scars
Response: Medical expert testimony definitively distinguishes traumatic scars from pre-existing conditions
Michigan Statute of Limitations: Don’t Miss Your Deadline
Standard deadline: MCL § 600.5805 gives you 3 years from the date of the dog bite to file a lawsuit
For minors: MCL § 600.5851 extends this until the child’s 19th birthday
Why this matters: If you wait too long to consult an attorney, you may lose your right to compensation entirely
Michigan Example: Patricia from Flint was bitten in March 2020. She delayed contacting an attorney, thinking she’d “handle it herself.” In May 2023 (3 years, 2 months later), she called a lawyer, only to learn her case was time-barred. She lost her right to recover $200,000+ in damages.
Action step: Consult a Michigan dog bite attorney as soon as possible after your injury, even if you’re still receiving medical treatment.
Take the Next Step: Protect Your Rights
If you’ve suffered facial scarring from a dog bite in Michigan, don’t let insurance companies minimize your claim. You deserve full compensation for the permanent impact on your life.
Why choose our firm: ✓ Proven track record: Millions recovered in Michigan dog bite settlements ✓ Medical expert network: Access to top plastic surgeons and psychologists ✓ No upfront costs: We work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win ✓ Specialized experience: Decades focusing specifically on Michigan dog bite law ✓ Maximized settlements: Our clients receive 3-5x more than those negotiating alone
Free case evaluation: We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and provide an honest assessment of your claim’s value – with no obligation.
Call us today at [PHONE NUMBER] or complete our online form. Don’t settle for less than your facial scarring case is worth.
Sources & References: – Michigan Compiled Laws § 287.351 (Dog Bite Strict Liability) – Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5805 (Statute of Limitations) – Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5851 (Minors’ Extended Statute of Limitations) – American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Scar Revision Statistics & Costs – Journal of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery: Long-term Outcomes of Facial Scarring – Michigan Trial Lawyers Association: Dog Bite Settlement Data 2022-2024