Pennsylvania Dog Bite Settlement Calculator
Victim & Incident Details (Comparative Fault)
Injury & Liability Details
Economic Damages & Insurance
Estimated Settlement Value
What the Pennsylvania Dog Bite Settlement Calculator Does
This calculator estimates your dog bite compensation by analyzing key factors such as:
- Victim’s age and gender
- Where and how the attack happened
- Severity of the bite (Dunbar Scale)
- Type and location of injuries
- Medical bills and lost wages
- Owner negligence and insurance coverage
It combines these details using real Pennsylvania legal principles — including strict liability for medical expenses and modified comparative negligence for other damages.
When you enter your data, the calculator provides:
- Economic damages (medical costs, lost wages, property loss)
- Pain and suffering estimates
- Policy-limit adjustments if the dog owner’s insurance has a cap
Pennsylvania Dog Bite Laws That Shape Your Settlement
Understanding how the calculator aligns with state law helps explain your results.
1. Strict Liability for Medical Costs
Under 3 P.S. § 459-502-A, dog owners in Pennsylvania are automatically responsible for paying medical expenses after a bite — even if it’s the first incident or the dog never showed aggression before.
2. Negligence Required for Full Damages
To recover beyond medical bills — for pain, suffering, and lost wages — the victim must prove owner negligence, such as:
- Ignoring leash laws
- Failing to control a known aggressive dog
- Prior bite history
The calculator accounts for this: if negligence is unchecked, it limits recovery to medical and property costs only.
3. Modified Comparative Fault (51% Bar Rule)
Pennsylvania uses a “51% bar” system. If the victim is more than 50% at fault, they cannot recover compensation.
Examples:
- Trespassing onto private property: partial fault (15–51%)
- Provoking the dog: up to 51% fault
- Children under 7: never considered at fault
The calculator automatically applies this rule, reducing or denying recovery as needed.
Key Factors That Affect Settlement Value
The calculator doesn’t just crunch numbers — it mirrors how attorneys and insurers evaluate real cases.
1. Severity of the Bite (Dunbar Scale)
Each bite level increases compensation.
- Level 1-2: Minor scratches or nips
- Level 3: Shallow punctures
- Level 4: Deep wounds
- Level 5: Multiple severe bites
- Level 6: Fatal attack
Severe cases (Levels 4–6) dramatically increase pain and suffering values.
2. Injury Location and Type
Injuries to visible or vital areas (like the face, head, or neck) carry higher compensation due to disfigurement or psychological impact.
- Hand/Arm or Leg/Foot: Minor multiplier
- Face/Neck: Highest multiplier (up to 0.8)
Permanent scarring, nerve damage, or disability raise settlement potential significantly.
3. Victim Demographics
The calculator increases estimates for:
- Children and elderly victims (more vulnerable)
- Female victims, slightly (statistical multiplier due to social and cosmetic impact in prior settlements)
4. Emotional and Psychological Trauma
Dog attacks often cause PTSD, fear of dogs, or anxiety disorders.
- No trauma = no multiplier
- Minor anxiety = moderate boost
- Diagnosed PTSD = significant multiplier
5. Economic Losses
You can include:
- Past and future medical costs
- Lost wages or future earning capacity
- Property damage (like torn clothing or broken glasses)
The calculator adds these up as your economic damages base.
6. Owner’s Insurance Policy Limit
If the owner’s insurance has a policy cap (for example, $300,000), your total settlement can’t exceed that amount.
The calculator displays the pre-cap amount and the final capped payout for clarity.
Example Scenarios
| Scenario | Medical Bills | Severity | Owner Negligence | Fault % | Estimated Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult bitten on hand, minor wounds | $5,000 | Level 2 | No | 0% | ~$6,000 |
| Child (age 5) bitten on face | $20,000 | Level 4 | Yes | 0% | ~$120,000+ |
| Trespassing adult, provoked dog | $10,000 | Level 3 | Yes | 51% | $0 (barred under 51% rule) |
| Mail carrier bitten on leg | $8,000 | Level 3 | Yes | 15% | ~$45,000 (after reduction) |
How to Use the Calculator Effectively
- Gather your numbers: medical bills, lost income, property damage.
- Select the correct bite level using the Dunbar Scale.
- Be realistic about fault and negligence — overestimating can mislead results.
- Check the policy limit if known.
- Review the warnings below your results for legal notes like “comparative fault” or “policy cap.”
Disclaimer (Plain and Honest)
This calculator gives you a ballpark estimate — not a legal guarantee.
Every dog bite case depends on specific evidence, insurance details, and local court rulings.
Pennsylvania’s dog bite laws combine strict liability for medical bills and fault-based rules for everything else.
If you’re seriously injured, consult a dog bite attorney before making any settlement decisions.