Missouri Dog Bite Settlement Calculator & Compensation

Understanding Missouri Dog Bite Laws

Missouri follows a strict liability rule for dog bites, set out under RSMo § 273.036.
That means:

• A dog owner is legally responsible for injuries caused by their dog, even if the dog never bit anyone before.
• The only exceptions are if the victim was trespassing or provoked the dog.

This strict liability framework simplifies dog bite claims — but compensation still depends on several factors like the victim’s actions, the severity of the bite, and insurance policy limits.

Missouri’s “Pure Comparative Fault” Rule

Even under strict liability, Missouri applies the pure comparative fault rule.
That means your compensation can be reduced if you were partly at fault — for example:

• If you provoked the dog (even unintentionally)
• If you were trespassing
• If you ignored warning signs

So, if you were found 25% at fault, your total settlement would be reduced by 25%.
For instance, if your claim was worth $100,000, you’d receive $75,000.

The Missouri Dog Bite Settlement Calculator accounts for this automatically, adjusting your estimated settlement to reflect your share of fault.

What Factors Affect a Missouri Dog Bite Settlement?

Dog bite cases are not one-size-fits-all. Your final settlement depends on multiple layers of detail — from the nature of the injuries to their long-term impact on your life.
The calculator you see above uses these categories:

1. Victim and Incident Details

These factors establish the basic context:

• Age of the victim – Children and elderly victims often receive higher settlements due to vulnerability.
• Trespassing status – If you weren’t legally on the property, your compensation may be reduced or denied.
• Provocation level – A provoked attack (like teasing or startling the dog) can reduce fault-based compensation.
• Gender of victim – Some studies show women are more likely to claim for psychological effects or facial injuries, slightly influencing settlement multipliers.

2. Injury Severity (Dunbar Scale)

The Dunbar scale measures bite intensity from Level 1 (no skin contact) to Level 6 (fatal attacks).
The more severe the bite, the higher your multiplier for pain and suffering.

3. Injury Type and Location

The body part affected and type of injury matter:

• Face, head, or neck injuries often bring larger settlements due to visibility and trauma.
• Permanent scarring, nerve damage, or fractures can drastically raise your compensation.

4. Long-Term Impact

• Permanent disability or psychological trauma (PTSD) often adds significant value to a claim.
• Partial disability or chronic anxiety also raise pain and suffering damages.

5. Economic Damages

These are your out-of-pocket costs and financial losses:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost wages from missed work
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Property damage (for torn clothing, broken glasses, etc.)

6. Insurance Policy Limits

Even if your damages are high, your actual payout can be capped by the dog owner’s insurance policy limit.
For example, if the total claim value is $400,000 but the policy limit is $300,000, the calculator shows both the pre-cap value and the capped payout.

How the Missouri Dog Bite Calculator Works

This calculator is designed for educational purposes, giving you a realistic snapshot of your potential compensation.
Here’s how it estimates your settlement:

1. Collects Input: You enter details like age, bite severity, location of injury, and costs.
2. Applies Multipliers: The calculator uses a mathematical model to apply multipliers for injury severity, long-term effects, and demographics.
3. Adjusts for Fault: It reduces the total based on any victim fault (like provocation or trespassing).
4. Calculates Total Damages: It combines economic losses with pain and suffering values.
5. Applies Policy Cap: If applicable, it limits the result to the insurance coverage amount.
6. Displays Results: You’ll see a breakdown of economic damages, pain and suffering, and the final estimated settlement.

The final estimate gives you a starting point for understanding what your dog bite claim might be worth under Missouri law.

Sample Scenarios

Example 1 – Child Bitten on the Face (Unprovoked):

• Medical costs: $8,000
• Permanent scarring
• No victim fault
  Estimated settlement: $150,000–$250,000

Example 2 – Adult Bitten on Arm While Trespassing:

• Medical costs: $3,000
• 75% fault due to trespassing
  Estimated settlement: $5,000–$8,000

These examples show how drastically factors like fault and injury type can change your compensation.

Why You Should Talk to a Dog Bite Attorney

While the calculator gives you a helpful estimate, real-world settlements depend on:

• Medical documentation
• Witness statements
• Expert evaluations (plastic surgery, psychological trauma)
• Negotiation skill

A Missouri dog bite lawyer can help you:

• Gather strong evidence
• Maximize your claim
• Negotiate with insurers
• Handle court filings if needed

They’ll also ensure your claim fits the state’s statute of limitations — generally five years from the date of the attack (RSMo § 516.120).