Minnesota Dog Bite Settlement Calculator & Compensation

Quick Overview: How Minnesota Dog Bite Claims Work

Minnesota follows an “absolute liability” rule. That means a dog owner is automatically liable if their dog bites someone — even if the dog never bit anyone before and even if the owner didn’t act negligently.

However, there are a few key exceptions:

• If the victim was trespassing on private property.
• If the victim provoked or tormented the dog.
• If the victim was not lawfully present where the attack occurred.

There’s one major exception to those defenses:
Children under age 7 are legally presumed not at fault — even if they were trespassing or teasing the dog.

Minnesota Dog Bite Settlement Calculator

Use the interactive calculator below to estimate your potential compensation. It factors in:

• Age and circumstances of the victim
• Severity of injuries (based on the Dunbar scale)
• Economic losses (medical bills, lost wages, property damage)
• Long-term physical or emotional impact
• Insurance policy limits

Simply fill out each field to get an estimated settlement value.

Try it here:

How the Calculator Works

This calculator is designed to mimic how a Minnesota injury attorney or insurance adjuster might value your claim. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Economic Damages (Out-of-Pocket Costs)

These are your direct, measurable losses:

• Medical expenses: hospital visits, ER, surgeries, follow-ups
• Future medical costs: therapy, rehabilitation, scar revision
• Lost wages: income you missed while recovering
• Lost future earnings: reduced earning capacity due to disability
• Property damage: torn clothing, damaged personal items

These costs are added up to form your base economic loss.

2. Pain and Suffering (Non-Economic Damages)

This part compensates you for:

• Physical pain and long-term discomfort
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Emotional trauma or PTSD
• Anxiety or fear around dogs
• Permanent disability or loss of function

The calculator uses severity multipliers based on:

• Bite severity (Dunbar scale)
• Injury location (face, hand, leg, torso)
• Psychological impact
• Age and gender (statistically relevant for jury sympathy and disfigurement)

All these multipliers are combined to adjust the “pain and suffering” amount.

3. Insurance Policy Limits

Even if your total damages are high, your final payout can’t exceed the dog owner’s insurance coverage. Most homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policies cover dog bites up to $100,000–$300,000, though some policies exclude certain breeds.

If your damages go beyond the policy limit, recovery may require filing directly against the dog owner.

Minnesota’s Absolute Liability Rule (Minn. Stat. § 347.22)

Here’s what the law says in simple terms:

If a dog, without provocation, attacks or injures a person who is lawfully in a public place or on private property, the dog’s owner is liable for all damages.

This rule means:

• You don’t have to prove negligence.
• The owner can’t escape liability by claiming they didn’t know the dog was dangerous.
• However, trespassing or provocation automatically bars recovery — except for children under 7.

Common Factors That Affect Settlement Amounts

Each dog bite case is unique, but here are some common factors that can raise or lower a settlement:

Average Dog Bite Settlement in Minnesota

While every case is different, most Minnesota dog bite settlements range between:

• $30,000 – $80,000 for moderate injuries
• $100,000 – $250,000+ for severe bites or facial scarring
• $300,000+ for cases involving disability, major disfigurement, or PTSD

Severe cases involving permanent impairment or children often reach policy limits.

Important Note on “Absolute Defenses”

If the calculator shows a “Recovery Barred” warning, that means:

• You indicated trespassing or provocation, and
• You’re not a child under 7.

In that case, Minnesota law bars recovery entirely. The calculator reflects that rule.

Why You Should Still Talk to a Lawyer

Even with this calculator, only a Minnesota dog bite attorney can:

• Verify your legal standing (lawful presence, provocation issues)
• Gather medical and psychological reports to support your case
• Negotiate with insurers for full compensation
• Handle claims beyond insurance policy limits

Most personal injury lawyers in Minnesota offer free consultations and work on a no-win, no-fee basis.

Key Takeaways

• Minnesota has strict dog bite liability laws.
• Victims don’t need to prove negligence — only that they were lawfully present and didn’t provoke the dog.
• Children under 7 are legally protected even if they trespassed or teased the dog.
• The Minnesota Dog Bite Settlement Calculator estimates your possible compensation using real-world legal factors.
• Always consult a qualified lawyer before accepting any insurance offer.