What Should I Do If a Dog Bite Leaves Permanent Scars?

 Posted on September 25, 2026 in Dog Bite Injuries

A dog attack is often traumatizing, and unfortunately, many victims continue to experience trauma for many years after. This is especially true for victims whose injuries result in permanent scarring or disfigurement that affects their appearance and physical abilities.

If you were injured by a dog in 2026, a DuPage County, IL dog bite attorney can help you understand your legal options.

Can You Recover Compensation for Permanent Dog Bite Scars in Illinois?

Illinois dog bite victims can recover compensation for permanent scarring when the requirements of state law are met. Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, 510 ILCS 5/16, a dog owner is liable for injuries caused when the animal attacks, attempts to attack, or injures someone without provocation while that person is peaceably and lawfully present.

How Can Permanent Scarring Affect a Dog Bite Claim in Illinois?

A permanent scar can add significant value to a dog bite claim when its effects continue long after the wound has healed. Its size, location, and visibility all help show how serious the injury is.

Some scars affect appearance more than others. A facial scar, for example, may cause embarrassment or emotional distress, while deeper scarring can limit movement or function.

Illinois law doesn’t assign a fixed dollar amount to permanent scarring. Instead, compensation depends on evidence showing how severe the scar is and how it continues to affect the victim’s life.

What Compensation Can You Recover in Illinois for Permanent Scarring?

A dog bite claim should account for both the original injury and losses connected to permanent scarring.

Depending on the injuries involved, compensation can include:

• Medical expenses related to the dog attack
• Future treatment recommended for injuries
• Lost income caused by the injury and recovery time
• Pain and suffering connected to the attack
• Disfigurement caused by permanent changes to the victim’s appearance

Future treatment costs should be considered before an injury claim is resolved. If a doctor recommends another procedure for the scar or any other injury, that expected expense can be included when calculating the victim’s losses.

How Are Permanent Dog Bite Scars Handled in a Child’s Injury Claim?

A child’s case raises issues that do not always come up in an adult claim. Because the child is still growing, doctors may wait before recommending scar revision or other treatment. That can make it important to get a medical opinion about whether future procedures are likely and when they should happen.

Illinois law can also divide the financial claims between the child and the parents. Parents may have a separate right to recover medical expenses incurred before the child turns 18, while the child can seek damages for permanent scarring, pain, emotional harm, and future medical care expected after age 18. Medical records and photographs taken over time help show how the scar develops and whether additional treatment will be needed.

What Should You Do Legally if a Dog Bite Leaves a Permanent Scar?

Before accepting an insurance settlement, make sure the long-term effects of the scar are understood. Once you settle a dog bite claim, you usually cannot reopen it later because the scar worsened or additional treatment became necessary.

An attorney can gather medical opinions about whether the scar is permanent, whether future procedures are recommended, and what those procedures may cost. Those opinions can be used during settlement negotiations or, if necessary, presented as evidence in court.

It is also important to identify every available source of insurance coverage and file the claim before Illinois deadlines expire. If the insurer disputes the value of the scarring, your attorney can decide whether filing a lawsuit is necessary to pursue full compensation.

Contact an Illinois Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

If you or your child has permanent scarring after a dog attack, the attorneys at Dog Bite Injury Lawyer - Mevorah Law Offices LLC can help you pursue compensation. Our law firm has more than 175 years of collective experience, and we are prepared to take cases to trial when an insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement.

We work on a contingency fee basis, so we will not collect payment from you unless we win your case. Contact our Naperville, IL dog bite attorneys at 630-552-6860 to schedule a free consultation.