Illinois Dog Bite Settlement Calculator & Compensation

What Is the Illinois Dog Bite Settlement Calculator?

The Illinois Dog Bite Settlement Calculator is a free online tool that helps estimate how much compensation a victim may receive for a dog bite injury. It takes into account legal factors like comparative fault, injury severity, medical costs, and insurance coverage.

It’s designed to give a ballpark estimate—not a guarantee—but it’s far more accurate than guessing. It’s based on actual legal principles like:

• Strict Liability (510 ILCS 5/16)
• Modified Comparative Fault (735 ILCS 5/2-1116)

How the Calculator Works

The calculator uses both economic and non-economic damages, plus legal fault modifiers, to estimate a possible settlement. Let’s break it down:

1. Victim & Incident Details

These assess the fault percentage. If you were trespassing or provoked the dog, your compensation could be reduced—or denied.

• Trespassing: Were you legally allowed to be on the property?
• Provocation: Did you tease or startle the dog?
• Age: Younger victims (especially kids under 6) may receive higher compensation due to long-term impact.
• Gender: May influence jury sympathy slightly (small multiplier).

Key Rule: If you’re more than 50% at fault, you get nothing under Illinois law.

2. Dog & Owner History

Bad dogs and bad owners increase your settlement.

• Dog’s History: Has the dog bitten before?
• Owner’s Negligence: Was the dog off-leash? Did it escape a broken fence? Did the owner encourage aggression?

These factors increase the pain and suffering multiplier, boosting your non-economic damages.

3. Injury Severity

This is where settlements grow fast.

• Dunbar Scale: The calculator uses this scale (Levels 1–6) to score bite severity.
• Location of Injury: Bites to the face or neck are valued more highly than hands or legs.
• Injury Type: Broken bones or nerve damage add to the total.
• Disfigurement or Disability: Permanent injuries significantly increase non-economic payouts.
• Psychological Impact: Diagnosed PTSD or severe anxiety is also factored in.

4. Economic Damages

This is your financial loss, and it forms the base of your compensation.

You can input:

• Past medical bills
• Estimated future medical expenses
• Lost wages from missed work
• Reduced future earning potential
• Property damage (e.g., torn clothes, broken glasses)

These are real-dollar losses and form the foundation of your claim.

5. Insurance Policy Limit

Even if the calculated payout is high, your actual recovery may be capped by the dog owner’s insurance policy limit (e.g., $300,000).

If the calculated settlement exceeds this cap, the calculator will show both:

• The pre-cap value
• The actual payout you may receive

Example Scenario

Let’s say:

• The victim was lawfully on the property.
• The dog had bitten before.
• The bite caused deep punctures on the face.
• The victim is a child.
• Medical bills total $10,000.
• The owner’s insurance policy is $250,000.

The calculator will combine:

• Economic losses = $10,000
• Pain & suffering = Calculated using severity and multiplier
• Comparative fault = 0% (fully innocent)
• Policy limit = Applied if necessary

Result: Settlement could range from $50,000–$200,000, depending on specific inputs.

Illinois Dog Bite Laws: What You Need to Know

Under Illinois’s Strict Liability Statute, the dog’s owner is liable even if the dog has never bitten before. But…

There’s a catch:

Modified Comparative Fault applies. If you’re more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing.

This is why the calculator stops cold and shows a warning if fault crosses 51%.

What Affects Your Settlement the Most?

• Serious injuries (especially to the face or children)
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Clear evidence of negligence
• Strong psychological impact (e.g., PTSD diagnosis)
• High medical costs
• Victim fault over 50% (trespassing, provoking the dog)

Try the Calculator Yourself

Just enter your info in each section:

1. Victim Info
2. Dog/Owner Behavior
3. Injury Details
4. Damages
5. Insurance Limits

Click “Calculate Estimate” to get your result.

The tool will instantly show:

• Total economic damages
• Non-economic (pain and suffering)
• Any reduction due to fault
• Final estimate (and capped amount if insurance applies)

Important Legal Disclaimer

The calculator is for educational purposes only. It’s not legal advice. Real-world results depend on many factors, and only a qualified Illinois dog bite attorney can give you an accurate case valuation.

If you’re unsure about anything—or your case involves serious injuries—talk to a lawyer. You could be leaving serious money on the table if you don’t.

Bottom Line: Use the Tool, Then Take Action

Dog bites can derail your life—but the law is on your side. The Illinois Dog Bite Settlement Calculator gives you a starting point, helping you understand your potential case value in plain, simple terms.

But don’t stop there.

Use this estimate to decide your next move:

• Document everything
• Get medical attention
• Consult an attorney if your injuries are serious or permanent