Six-figure settlement awarded to dog bite victim

A young girl was playing with dolls at a friend’s house when she was attacked by the family dog. Now, she has obtained a $305,000 settlement plus medical expenses.

The plaintiff in this confidential settlement was attacked while at the friend’s house in 2022, according to her attorney Laurie Del Percio of the Horn Law Firm. Del Percio said the dog attacked without warning and the girl sustained a large open wound above her right eye, several lacerations on her face and her hands.

She was rushed to the emergency room but because of the large wound above her right eye, emergency personnel consulted with oral maxillofacial surgery, according to Del Percio. Due to a concern for possible avulsion injury and the need for possible plastic surgery, she was transferred to the Children’s Mercy Hospital.

Two years later the girl and her family sought the opinion of a plastic surgeon about the scarring. The plastic surgeon said that she would have to wait until she turned 16 for surgery in order to allow for full face growth. This future surgery is estimated to cost $30,000, Del Percio said.

The combination of the children being left unattended when the dog attacked and the photos of the injuries helped to achieve the settlement, which will help to secure the girl’s future and pay for ongoing medical expenses, Del Percio said.

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Amount of verdict, judgment or settlement: $305,000

Type of action: Settlement-Personal Injury

Breakdown: $300,000.00 homeowner’s liability limit and $5,000.00 medical payments limit

Venue: Cass County Circuit Court

Case Number/Date: 1/7/2025

Injuries: Shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, hand

Special Damages: $18,007.35 past medical (billed); $8,911.41 past medical (written-off)

Caption: Confidential v. Confidential

Plaintiffs’ Attorneys: Laurie L. Del Percio, The Horn Law Firm

Defendants’ Attorneys: Jennifer Rose, American Family Insurance