What is your dog bite claim worth?
How we figure your range
The calculator adds your medical bills and lost pay. Then it multiplies that total based on how bad the injury was.
- Minor wound: 1 to 2 times
- Stitches: 1.5 to 3 times
- Infection: 2 to 4 times
- Surgery or nerve damage: 3 to 5 times
A scar adds a set amount on top. A small scar adds $2,000 to $8,000. A scar on the hands or arms adds $5,000 to $15,000, and one on the face adds $15,000 to $40,000.
Your state's rule matters too. In a one-bite or mixed state, the range drops 25 percent because proof is harder. In a strict-liability state, it does not.
Example
Maria lives in Texas. She had $6,500 in bills and $2,000 in lost pay. Her bite got infected and left a visible scar on her wrist.
After the 25 percent one-bite cut, her range is $16,500 to $36,800.
Why your range is a starting point
The multipliers and the 25 percent cut are this calculator's working assumptions. They are not a legal rule or insurer data, so your range is not a prediction.
Insurers paid an average of $65,450 per dog bite claim in 2025. That average is not a personal payout. Severe bites pull it up, so a typical claim may settle for less. The Insurance Information Institute tracks these dog bite liability claims every year.
An attorney can see the owner's policy limit and the defenses the calculator cannot. Call (844) 703-3920 to have your range reviewed for free.
Protect your claim now
If the bite is deep, bleeding or swelling, get medical care first. A legal call never replaces emergency care.
Take clear photos of any scar and note where it sits on your body. Scar location can add far more to a claim on the face than elsewhere.
your state sets a deadline to file, and a claim filed late can be barred. Enter your bite date on our dog bite deadline counter to see your last day.
Want to know more about payouts? Read our dog bite settlement guide or what to do after a dog bite.
Dog bite claim questions
How much is a dog bite case worth?
It depends on your bills, lost pay, how bad the injury is, any scarring and your state's rule. Insurers paid an average of $65,450 per claim in 2025, but severe bites pull that average up. Call (844) 703-3920 for a free review of your range.
Why is my range lower in some states?
In a one-bite or mixed state, the calculator cuts the range by 25 percent because proof is harder there. See our one-bite rule page for how it works.
Does a scar raise my claim?
Yes. The calculator adds $2,000 to $8,000 for a small scar, $5,000 to $15,000 on the hands or arms, and $15,000 to $40,000 on the face.