Ohio Dog Bite Settlement Calculator & Compensation

Understanding Ohio’s Dog Bite Laws

Ohio follows a strict liability rule under Ohio Revised Code §955.28.
That means the dog owner is automatically responsible if their dog injures someone — even if the dog had never bitten before or the owner wasn’t negligent.

However, there are exceptions. A victim cannot recover damages if:

• They were trespassing or committing a crime at the time.
• They provoked the dog significantly.
• They were more than 50% at fault (under Ohio’s modified comparative fault rule, ORC §2315.33).

Simply put: if you were legally present and did not provoke the dog, you likely have a strong claim.

What the Calculator Estimates

The Ohio Dog Bite Settlement Calculator uses a structured formula to estimate compensation based on:

1. Economic Damages (Hard Costs)
   • Medical bills (past and future)
   • Lost wages and future earning loss
   • Property damage (clothing, devices, etc.)
2. Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)
   • Emotional trauma or PTSD
   • Disfigurement or scarring
   • Long-term disability or physical limitations
3. Legal Modifiers
   • Fault percentage (based on comparative negligence)
   • Age and gender of the victim
   • Severity and location of the bite
   • Whether injuries are catastrophic (life-altering or fatal)

How the Calculator Works

The embedded calculator applies a layered logic based on Ohio law and real settlement data. Here’s a simplified breakdown of its process:

1. Inputs – You enter details such as:
   • Victim’s age and gender
   • Bite location and severity (using the Dunbar Bite Scale)
   • Psychological impact
   • Economic costs (medical bills, lost income, etc.)
2. Severity Multiplier – The calculator multiplies your total medical expenses by a factor depending on the injury’s seriousness:
   • Level 1–2: Minor (1.5×)
   • Level 3: Moderate (3×)
   • Level 4: Severe (4×)
   • Level 5: Multiple deep bites (5×)
   • Level 6: Fatal (6×)
3. Adjustments for Impact Factors – These refine the estimate:
   • Age: Children and seniors often receive higher awards due to vulnerability.
   • Injury location: Facial injuries carry higher non-economic value than limb bites.
   • Disfigurement or disability: Permanent effects increase the multiplier.
4. Comparative Fault Deduction –
   If the victim is found partially responsible (for example, provoking the dog), the settlement is reduced by that percentage.
   • Example: If your total damages are $100,000 and you’re 25% at fault, your payout drops to $75,000.
   • If you’re 51% or more at fault, you get nothing.
5. Insurance Policy Cap –
   If the dog owner’s insurance covers up to $300,000, your final payout cannot exceed that amount — even if your total damages are higher.

Example Calculation

Let’s take a realistic example:

• Medical bills: $8,000
• Future treatment: $2,000
• Lost wages: $3,000
• Bite severity: Level 4 (deep punctures)
• Victim age: Child (0–6)
• Injury: Face
• No provocation, no trespass
• Owner’s insurance limit: $300,000

Step-by-step estimate:

• Total economic damages = $13,000
• Pain & suffering (4× medical × adjustments) ≈ $52,000 × (1 + additional multipliers ≈ 1.4) = ~$73,000
• Total = $86,000
• No fault deduction, below policy limit → Final estimate: ~$86,000

How Pain and Suffering Are Capped in Ohio

Ohio’s non-economic damages (like pain and suffering) are capped under R.C. §2315.18:

• Maximum of $250,000 or three times your economic damages, whichever is greater — up to $350,000 total.
• This cap does not apply to catastrophic cases (e.g., disfigurement, paralysis, or death).

The calculator automatically applies this cap when relevant and notifies you with a warning message.

Why Settlement Values Vary So Widely

Dog bite settlements depend on several nuanced factors:

Each case is unique, and settlements can range from a few thousand dollars for mild cases to over $500,000 for severe, disfiguring, or fatal attacks.

Tips to Strengthen a Dog Bite Claim

• Seek immediate medical care. Document all treatments.
• Report the bite to local animal control or police.
• Photograph injuries, scars, and the location of the incident.
• Get witness statements.
• Avoid talking to insurance adjusters alone.
• Consult an Ohio personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement offer.

A lawyer can negotiate a higher payout, especially when insurance companies undervalue non-economic damages.