Texas Dog Bite Settlement Calculator & Compensation

Understanding Texas Dog Bite Law

Texas follows what’s known as the “One-Bite Rule.”
This rule means that a dog owner is not automatically liable for a first-time attack unless they knew or should have known that their dog was dangerous, or if they were negligent (for example, violating leash laws).

To recover damages in Texas, a victim generally must prove:

• The dog had a known history of aggression, or
• The owner failed to take reasonable precautions (like ignoring leash or restraint laws), and
• The victim was not primarily at fault for the attack.

The 51% Bar Rule: How Fault Affects Compensation

Texas uses a Modified Comparative Fault system (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §33.001).
Here’s what that means:

• If the victim is 51% or more at fault, they cannot recover any compensation.
• If they’re less than 51% at fault, their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.

For example:

If the settlement value is $100,000 but you were found to be 25% at fault, your payout would be $75,000.

The calculator automatically applies this rule, adjusting the estimate based on factors like trespassing, provocation, or implied permission to be on the property.

How the Texas Dog Bite Settlement Calculator Works

This calculator uses multiple real-world legal and injury variables to estimate the total potential settlement value.
Here’s how it breaks it down:

1. Victim and Incident Details

• Age of Victim: Younger children or elderly victims often receive higher settlements due to increased vulnerability and potential for long-term impact.
• Gender of Victim: Slight weighting is applied since psychological effects (like facial scarring) can vary statistically across demographics.
• Location of Attack: Whether the victim was invited, trespassing, or on public property affects owner liability.
• Provocation Status: The more the victim provoked the dog, the greater the reduction in compensation.

2. Owner Liability (Negligence)

This is the foundation of Texas dog bite law.
If the owner was not negligent, the calculator immediately stops the estimate—mirroring how Texas courts would bar recovery under the One-Bite Rule.

3. Injury Details

• Severity (Dunbar Scale): Levels 1–6, from minor nips to fatal attacks.
• Injury Location: Bites to the face, head, or neck carry higher multipliers due to disfigurement risks.
• Type of Injury: Bone fractures, nerve damage, and permanent scarring increase settlement value.
• Physical & Psychological Impact: Long-term disability or PTSD adds significant compensation potential.

4. Economic Damages

These are the out-of-pocket costs, including:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Property damage (like torn clothing or damaged belongings)

The calculator sums these figures to create a base economic loss estimate.

5. Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)

This part is often the largest in serious injury cases.
The calculator multiplies medical costs by an injury severity factor, then adjusts based on:

• Physical disfigurement
• Emotional trauma
• Long-term disability

6. Policy Limits

If the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance has a policy limit, the calculator applies it as a payout cap—just like an insurer would.

Example Scenario

Let’s say:

• The victim is a 10-year-old child bitten on the face
• Medical bills: $8,000, future care: $2,000
• No provocation
• Dog had a prior bite history
• Insurance policy limit: $300,000

Result:

• Economic damages: ~$10,000
• Pain & suffering (severe injury multiplier): ~$60,000–$80,000
• Estimated Total Settlement: Around $70,000–$90,000

If the child were found 25% at fault, the calculator would reduce the total by that amount, bringing the payout to about $52,500–$67,500.

What Influences Settlement Amounts Most

Key Legal Takeaways

• No negligence = no compensation. Texas does not apply strict liability to dog bites.
• 51% fault bars recovery. Anything below that reduces the award proportionally.
• Insurance coverage matters. Most settlements come from homeowners or renters policies.
• Document everything. Medical records, photos, and witness statements strengthen your case.

Use the Texas Dog Bite Settlement Calculator

You can use the embedded Texas Dog Bite Settlement Calculator above to estimate your claim value. It combines Texas negligence law, comparative fault rules, and injury impact metrics to create a personalized projection.

It’s an educational tool—not a substitute for legal advice—but it helps you understand how damages are structured and what range your claim might fall within before speaking to an attorney.

When to Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer in Texas

If your injuries are serious or your case involves disputed liability, speak with a Texas personal injury attorney.
An experienced lawyer can:

• Investigate prior aggression history of the dog
• Gather evidence to prove negligence
• Negotiate with insurance companies for fair value
• Take your case to court if necessary

Most Texas dog bite lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they win your case.