Maryland Dog Bite Settlement Calculator & Compensation

Understanding Maryland Dog Bite Laws

Maryland follows a strict liability law when it comes to dog bites. This means a dog owner is presumed liable if their dog injures someone — even if the dog has never shown aggression before.

However, Maryland also enforces one of the toughest legal standards in the country: the Pure Contributory Negligence Rule. Under this rule, if the victim is found even 1% at fault — such as provoking the dog or trespassing — they may be barred from any recovery.

This makes it critical to understand your rights, the strength of your claim, and the potential financial impact of your injuries.

How the Maryland Dog Bite Settlement Calculator Works

The Maryland Dog Bite Settlement Calculator is a free, interactive tool that estimates the potential settlement value of your case based on key factors such as medical costs, injury type, and Maryland’s unique legal rules.

The calculator considers:

1. Victim & Incident Details
   • Were you lawfully on the property?
   • Was there any provocation?
   • Age and gender of the victim (for statistical multiplier purposes).
2. Injury Details
   • Severity of the bite using the Dunbar Scale (a 1–6 scale from minor scratches to fatal attacks).
   • Location and type of injury (face, hands, legs, etc.).
   • Long-term effects, such as nerve damage, scarring, or permanent disability.
   • Emotional trauma, including anxiety or PTSD.
3. Economic Damages
   • Past and future medical expenses.
   • Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity.
   • Property damage (e.g., torn clothing, broken glasses).
4. Insurance Policy Limits
   • The calculator adjusts your total if the dog owner’s insurance policy cap restricts payout.

Once you enter your details and click “Calculate Estimate,” you’ll get:

• Total economic damages (medical + financial losses)
• Pain and suffering estimate (non-economic damages)
• Any legal reductions under contributory negligence
• Final estimated settlement value

Key Legal Factors That Affect Dog Bite Compensation in Maryland

1. Pure Contributory Negligence
   • If you were even slightly at fault (e.g., teasing the dog), Maryland law prevents you from recovering damages.
2. Rebuttable Presumption of Liability (CJP § 3-1901)
   • Maryland law presumes that a dog’s owner is liable unless they can prove the victim provoked the attack or trespassed.
3. Caps on Non-Economic Damages
   • Maryland limits pain and suffering awards to $950,000 for incidents after October 1, 2024.
   • The calculator automatically applies this cap to ensure realistic results.
4. Insurance Coverage
   • Many dog bite claims are paid through homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.
   • However, policy limits may restrict how much compensation is available — which the calculator also accounts for.

Example of How Settlement Values Are Estimated

Imagine a 12-year-old bitten on the face by a neighbor’s dog, causing permanent scarring and emotional distress.

• Past medical expenses: $8,000
• Future medical care: $4,000
• Lost wages (parent’s missed work): $2,000
• Total economic loss: $14,000

Given the injury’s severity and emotional impact, pain and suffering might be calculated at around 3–5 times the medical costs, capped by Maryland’s non-economic damages limit.

After applying all factors, the estimated settlement could range between $75,000 and $150,000, depending on the insurance policy and legal findings.

Why Use a Dog Bite Settlement Calculator?

• Fast & Free: Get a quick, personalized estimate without waiting for legal consultations.
• Data-Based Insights: Uses medical, emotional, and legal multipliers relevant to Maryland law.
• Educational Value: Helps you understand how each factor impacts your claim.
• Attorney Preparation: Gives you a solid starting point before contacting a Maryland dog bite lawyer.

Important Disclaimer

The Maryland Dog Bite Settlement Calculator is for educational purposes only. It offers an approximate value based on general legal principles and common claim patterns. Your actual settlement will depend on specific facts, evidence, and negotiations with insurance companies or attorneys.

Always consult a qualified Maryland personal injury attorney before making legal decisions or accepting a settlement offer.