What changes in a serious dog attack
Wounds deep enough to need surgery are levels 4 and 5 on the Dunbar scale. Learn more on our dog bite levels page.
A serious attack brings longer treatment and higher bills. It often leaves a scar or nerve damage.
The owner's insurance limit is typically $100,000 to $300,000, and it can become the ceiling. Triple-I says the owner owes anything above that limit.
That is why an attorney should handle the insurer from the first week. Early bills help your attorney compare your total to the limit.
What a dog attack case pays
The 2025 average across all insured dog-related claims was $65,450, according to Triple-I. That average is not your number.
Serious attacks sit well above it. Surgery, nerve damage and scarring all push the value higher.
For a starting range, run your bills through the dog bite settlement calculator with "surgery, nerve or tendon damage" selected. Then see what dog bite claims pay.
The criminal side of a dog attack
Some dog attacks are crimes. Under California Penal Code 399, it can be a felony when an owner knows an animal is mischievous, lets it run loose, and it kills someone.
In New York, a court can declare a dog dangerous after a hearing under Agriculture and Markets Law 123.
A criminal case does not replace your civil claim. You can still seek money for your injuries.
Dog bite claim questions
Is a dog bite injury case worth it?
For stitches, a scar, a child or lost work, usually yes. A small bite with one doctor visit may settle without an attorney.
What is a dog bite case?
It is a claim for money against the dog's owner, almost always paid by the owner's insurance. Your state's rule decides what you must prove.
Will the dog be put down?
That is a separate local decision made after a dangerous-dog hearing. Your injury claim does not ask for it.
How long do I have after a dog attack?
From 1 to 6 years, depending on the state. See deadlines by state.