If you've been bitten by a dog, you're likely wondering how much your case is worth. Dog bite settlement values vary widely depending on injury severity, long-term impact, and available insurance coverage. Understanding the factors that influence settlement amounts helps you evaluate offers and negotiate effectively.

Average Dog Bite Settlement Ranges

Settlement values depend heavily on injury severity:

Minor injuries (puncture wounds that heal without scarring, no surgery, brief treatment): $5,000-$25,000

Moderate injuries (lacerations requiring stitches, minor scarring, some medical treatment): $25,000-$75,000

Serious injuries (significant scarring, nerve damage, multiple surgeries, lasting impairment): $75,000-$250,000

Severe/catastrophic injuries (permanent disfigurement, disability, facial reconstruction, extensive psychological trauma): $250,000-$1 million or more

These are general ranges—individual cases may fall outside them based on specific circumstances.

Factors That Increase Settlement Value

Several factors can significantly increase your case value:

Permanent scarring or disfigurement: Visible, permanent scars—especially on the face—substantially increase value.

Multiple surgeries: Cases requiring reconstructive surgery, skin grafts, or ongoing procedures command higher settlements.

Nerve damage or loss of function: Permanent limitations in using hands, arms, or other body parts warrant significant compensation.

Facial injuries: Damage to the face carries premium value due to its impact on appearance and quality of life.

Psychological trauma: Documented PTSD, phobias, or other psychological conditions add to settlement value.

Child victims: Children often receive higher settlements due to the longer time they'll live with injuries and the impact on development.

Strong liability: Cases where the owner clearly violated laws or knew the dog was dangerous strengthen your negotiating position.

Factors That Decrease Settlement Value

Some factors may reduce your potential recovery:

Minor injuries that heal completely: Full recovery without lasting effects limits damages.

Provocation: Evidence you provoked the dog reduces or eliminates recovery.

Trespass or unlawful presence: Being where you shouldn't have been weakens your claim.

Comparative negligence: Your own carelessness (ignoring warnings, approaching a chained dog) reduces damages proportionally.

Pre-existing conditions: While you can recover for aggravation, some insurers argue pre-existing issues inflate claimed damages.

Insurance Policy Limits

Settlement amounts are often limited by available insurance. Most dog bite claims are paid through homeowners' or renters' insurance. Standard policies typically provide $100,000-$300,000 in liability coverage. Even if your damages exceed policy limits, you may not collect more than the policy provides unless the dog owner has substantial personal assets.

Some homeowners carry umbrella policies providing additional coverage—often $1 million or more—which becomes important in severe injury cases.

Calculating Your Damages

Your settlement should compensate for all damages:

Medical expenses: All past treatment costs plus estimated future medical needs.

Lost wages: Time missed from work during recovery.

Loss of earning capacity: Reduced ability to earn if injuries affect your career.

Pain and suffering: Physical pain during injury and recovery.

Emotional distress: Psychological impact including trauma, anxiety, and depression.

Disfigurement: Compensation for permanent scarring.

Loss of enjoyment of life: Activities and pleasures you can no longer pursue.

Why Initial Offers Are Low

Insurance companies almost always start with low offers. Initial offers test whether you'll accept less than your claim is worth. They rarely reflect fair value—insurers expect negotiation. Never accept a first offer without consulting an attorney or at least understanding the full value of your claim.

When to Settle

Don't settle too quickly. Wait until you've reached maximum medical improvement—the point where your condition has stabilized—so you know the full extent of your injuries. Settling early may leave you without compensation for problems that emerge later.

However, don't wait too long. Statutes of limitations bar claims filed after deadlines, typically two to three years from the bite.

Getting Professional Help

An attorney typically obtains higher settlements. Studies consistently show victims with legal representation recover more—often significantly more—than those who negotiate alone, even after attorney fees. Most dog bite attorneys work on contingency (typically 33%), taking fees only from successful recoveries.