Indiana Dog Bite Settlement Calculator & Compensation

Understanding Indiana Dog Bite Laws

In Indiana, dog bite liability depends on two main legal rules:

1. Strict Liability (IC 15-20-1-3)

If you’re a government worker or postal employee bitten while doing your job, the dog’s owner is automatically liable — even if the dog has no prior history of aggression.

2. One-Bite Rule (Negligence-Based)

For everyone else, Indiana uses the “one-bite” rule, meaning:

• The owner is only liable if they knew (or should’ve known) their dog was dangerous.
• You must prove negligence — such as the dog previously bit someone, or was off-leash illegally.

No negligence = no compensation.
That’s why liability is the first and most critical step in any claim.

What the Calculator Does

The Indiana Dog Bite Settlement Calculator uses a legal formula that considers:

• Liability factors (Was the owner negligent?)
• Comparative fault (Were you partially at fault?)
• Injury details (How severe were the injuries?)
• Economic losses (Medical bills, lost wages)
• Insurance limits (Is there a payout cap?)

It gives you an estimated settlement range, not a guaranteed outcome. Still, it’s a powerful tool to help victims understand what their case might be worth.

How Settlement Amounts Are Calculated

Let’s break down the core elements that go into the calculator:

1. Proving Liability (Can You Sue?)

To receive a payout, one or more of the following must apply:

2. Comparative Fault: Were You Partially to Blame?

Indiana follows a 51% Bar Rule:
If you’re more than 50% at fault, you get nothing.

Examples:

• Trespassing? That’s 51% fault → no compensation.
• Minor provocation? That could reduce your payout.

3. Economic Damages (Hard Costs)

These include:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages
• Future lost earning capacity
• Property damage (e.g., damaged clothing or phone)

These numbers are added together as your base claim value.

4. Pain & Suffering (Non-Economic Damages)

This is where things get nuanced. The calculator uses:

• Severity of the bite (Dunbar scale, levels 1–6)
• Location of injury (e.g., face vs. hand)
• Type of injury (e.g., nerve damage, scarring)
• Disability or PTSD diagnosis
• Victim age/gender (Younger victims or women often receive slightly higher awards for visible scars or trauma.)

Example: A deep bite on the face with lasting scars and PTSD can drastically increase your settlement.

5. Insurance Policy Limits

Even if your calculated damages are high, insurance caps may lower your final payout.

Example:

• Calculated damages: $350,000
• Insurance cap: $300,000
  Final payout is capped at $300,000.

Example Case:

Let’s say:

• You were lawfully walking when a dog bit your leg.
• The dog previously bit someone.
• The owner had it off-leash.
• You had $15,000 in medical bills and missed $3,000 in wages.

Injury: Level 4 bite, permanent scar on leg
Psychological trauma: Diagnosed PTSD
Insurance limit: $500,000

Estimated Compensation:

• Economic: $18,000
• Pain & suffering: ~$60,000–$100,000
• Total (after adjustments): $78,000–$118,000

Why Use the Indiana Dog Bite Calculator?

Because every dog bite case is different.

This tool:

• Helps estimate the value of your claim
• Makes legal rules easy to understand
• Gives a quick sense of whether a claim is worth pursuing

It’s educational, not legal advice — but it gives you a strong head start.

Try the Calculator Now

Use the form below to plug in your:

• Injury details
• Economic losses
• Liability and fault facts

And get your estimated settlement instantly.

What to Do Next?

If the calculator shows your case may be worth something — don’t go it alone.

An experienced Indiana dog bite lawyer can:

• Confirm liability
• Maximize your compensation
• Negotiate with insurance companies
• File a lawsuit if needed

You usually pay nothing up front, and they only get paid if you win.

Key Takeaways

• Indiana uses negligence and strict liability rules for dog bites.
• You must prove liability unless you’re a government worker on duty.
• If you’re more than 50% at fault, you can’t recover anything.
• The calculator is a powerful first step to estimating your claim.

Disclaimer

This calculator gives a rough estimate based on Indiana dog bite laws, including:

• IC 15-20-1-3 (Strict Liability)
• IC 34-51-2-6 (Modified Comparative Fault)

It’s not legal advice. Always consult a lawyer before making decisions about your claim.