Dog Bite Settlement Calculator

How Dog Bite Settlements Are Valued

Dog bite value is driven by injury severity, scarring, and — heavily — whether the victim is a child. Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance usually pays the claim.

• Medical costs

  Emergency care, surgery, plastic surgery for scarring, antibiotics, and rabies treatment.

• Scarring & disfigurement

  Permanent scarring — especially facial — is a major, separate driver of value.

• Pain, suffering & psychological harm

  Including PTSD and cynophobia (fear of dogs), which courts recognize as compensable.

• Lost wages

  Income lost during treatment and recovery.

Illustration only — child victims and facial injuries sit at the high end. Use the calculator above for an estimate from your facts.

Strict Liability vs. the One-Bite Rule

Your state’s rule is the single biggest liability factor — check your state’s dog bite page.

Factors That Increase Value

• Child victim

  Children suffer more severe and facial injuries and receive higher awards.

• Facial or permanent scarring

  Visible, permanent disfigurement is a top value driver.

• Severity & surgery

  Nerve damage, infection, or reconstructive surgery raise value substantially.

• Available insurance

  Homeowner’s/renter’s policies (often $100k–$300k) typically fund the recovery.

What To Do After a Dog Bite

1. 1

   Get medical care

   Treat the wound and document it — bites carry serious infection risk.

2. 2

   Identify the dog and owner

   Get the owner’s name, address, and insurance, plus the dog’s vaccination history.

3. 3

   Report to animal control

   An official report creates a record and may establish the dog’s history.

4. 4

   Photograph everything

   Photograph injuries over time (to show scarring) and the location of the attack.