Massachusetts Dog Bite Settlement Calculator & Compensation

Massachusetts Dog Bite Laws Explained

Massachusetts has one of the strongest dog bite laws in the country. The key statute is M.G.L. Chapter 140, Section 155, often called the “strict liability” rule.

In plain English, this means:

If a dog injures someone, the dog’s owner (or keeper) is automatically responsible — even if the dog has never bitten before.

There are only two exceptions:

1. The victim was trespassing on private property.
2. The victim provoked the dog intentionally.

Children under age 7 are presumed not to be at fault — meaning they cannot be blamed for trespassing or provocation.

Massachusetts also applies the “modified comparative fault” rule (M.G.L. c. 231, § 85). This limits recovery if the victim was partly at fault.
If the victim is 51% or more at fault, they cannot recover any damages.

What Compensation Can You Claim After a Dog Bite?

Compensation in Massachusetts dog bite cases usually falls into two main categories:

1. Economic Damages

These cover your financial losses:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages or future earning capacity
• Property damage (like torn clothing or broken glasses)

2. Non-Economic Damages

These cover your pain, suffering, and emotional distress:

• Physical pain
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, fear, anxiety)
• Loss of quality of life

If the attack causes long-term disability or permanent injury, the settlement can be much higher.

How the Massachusetts Dog Bite Calculator Works

Our Massachusetts Dog Bite Settlement Calculator uses real legal principles to estimate your potential settlement range.

Here’s how it calculates:

Step 1. Victim & Fault Details

The tool considers:

• Age of victim: Children under 7 are presumed fault-free.
• Trespassing: Were you lawfully on the property?
• Provocation: Did you provoke the dog?
• Gender: Some studies show slightly higher non-economic damages for female victims (e.g., due to facial scarring).

If your fault percentage is 51% or more, the calculator automatically shows no recovery, as required by Massachusetts law.

Step 2. Injury Details

Next, it factors in injury severity using the Dunbar Bite Scale, which rates the bite level from 1 (no puncture) to 6 (fatal).
Each level affects a “severity multiplier” used in the pain and suffering estimate.

It also considers:

• Body area bitten (e.g., face, arm, leg)
• Type of injury (e.g., scarring, nerve damage, bone fracture)
• Physical impact (e.g., disability or permanent impairment)
• Psychological impact (e.g., fear, anxiety, PTSD)

These multipliers combine to calculate non-economic damages realistically.

Step 3. Economic Losses

The calculator then asks for:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost income
• Property damage
• Insurance policy limits (if any)

It adds these numbers to get total economic damages — then applies multipliers for non-economic factors to estimate pain and suffering.

Step 4. Adjustments for Fault & Insurance

If the victim shares any fault, the total is reduced proportionally.

For example:

If you were 25% at fault, your total settlement drops by 25%.

If the dog owner’s insurance policy has a coverage cap, your final estimate won’t exceed that limit.

Example Calculation

Let’s say:

• Medical expenses: $10,000
• Future medical: $3,000
• Lost wages: $2,000
• Dog caused severe facial scarring (high multiplier)

If the victim was not at fault, the calculator may estimate:

$65,000 – $90,000 settlement range (before any insurance caps)

If the owner’s policy limit is $50,000, that becomes the maximum payout available.

Factors That Increase Settlement Value

Several factors can boost compensation under Massachusetts law:

• Facial or visible injuries
• Permanent scars or disfigurement
• Psychological trauma or PTSD diagnosis
• Bites to children or elderly victims
• High medical bills or lost wages
• Strong evidence (photos, medical reports, witness statements)

When Recovery Is Limited or Denied

Recovery may be reduced or denied if:

• The victim was trespassing
• The victim provoked the dog
• Fault exceeds 51%
• The dog owner lacks insurance and has few assets

The calculator clearly displays these limitations to help you understand your likely range.

Why Use the Calculator?

The Massachusetts Dog Bite Settlement Calculator is designed for:

• Victims who want a quick, realistic estimate
• Attorneys preparing case evaluations
• Insurance claimants comparing offers
• Families of injured children or seniors

It’s free, private, and based on Massachusetts statutes and case law.
While it’s not legal advice, it helps you understand your potential claim value before speaking with a lawyer.

Important Legal Disclaimer

This calculator and article are for educational purposes only.
They’re based on Massachusetts’s strict liability (M.G.L. c. 140, § 155) and modified comparative fault (M.G.L. c. 231, § 85) laws.

Your actual settlement can vary depending on:

• Specific facts of your case
• Medical documentation
• Insurance coverage
• Legal representation

Always consult a Massachusetts personal injury attorney for personalized legal advice.