I’m shattered emotionally....

I got 13 stitches in my face one day, including 4 inside my lips that eventually were adsorbed by the body, from my brother-in-laws Dalmation; a dog that knew me well, and whom I considered to be a safe and friendly dog to be around. That dog went on to bite two more young kids, on separate occasions, bringing the total to FOUR BITES, before they put it down. The point is that with dogs, it seems you can just never be sure. Maybe, like my wife, they just have bad days, when they want to bite,lol. I didn't sue; the owner (now deceased) was my wife's brother! Even if he hadn't been, I wouldn't have sued. The stitches didn't cost me, and my face sorta returned to normal after a few years.
My own Shepard/Lab cross, Georgie, is a wonderfully gentle, well-adjusted, 70pound dog, and is great with kids. But when we let him outside, he goes on a tether. Thankfully, he doesn't resent it, and it is long enough that he does have seemingly enough freedom, to leave it alone.
I'm saddened to hear about your plight, and hope it plays out well.