Vermont Dog Bite Settlement Calculator & Compensation

Understanding Vermont’s Dog Bite Law

Vermont follows what’s called the “One-Bite Rule.”
Unlike strict liability states, Vermont law doesn’t automatically hold a dog owner responsible for a bite. Instead, you must prove negligence — meaning the owner either:

• Knew (or should have known) the dog was dangerous, or
• Broke a local law (like a leash ordinance).

If the owner wasn’t negligent, compensation is generally barred. The calculator reflects this: select “No” for negligence, and it shows zero recovery — just as Vermont law would.

The 51% Comparative Fault Rule

Even if you prove negligence, Vermont uses modified comparative fault (12 V.S.A. § 1036).
If the victim shares any blame — for example, by provoking the dog or trespassing — the settlement can be reduced by their fault percentage.

However, if the victim’s share of fault is 51% or higher, recovery is completely barred. The calculator factors this in automatically.

Example:
If your total damages are $100,000 and you’re 25% at fault, your recovery drops to $75,000.

Key Factors Affecting Vermont Dog Bite Settlements

The calculator weighs multiple factors to mirror real-world settlement trends and legal adjustments:

1. Victim & Incident Details

• Age and gender: Children and elderly victims often receive higher settlements due to long-term impact or vulnerability.
• Location of the bite: Trespassing can reduce or eliminate compensation.
• Provocation: The more the victim provoked the dog, the greater the reduction in damages.

2. Owner Negligence (The “One-Bite” Rule)

Negligence must be proven for any payout. This might include:

• Ignoring a history of aggression
• Violating leash laws
• Failing to secure a known dangerous dog

If negligence is unchecked, the calculator stops the estimate — accurately showing that Vermont law bars recovery in that scenario.

3. Injury Severity (Dunbar Scale)

The Dunbar scale measures bite intensity:

• Level 1–2: Superficial wounds
• Level 3–4: Deep punctures or multiple bites
• Level 5–6: Severe trauma or death

Each level increases the pain and suffering multiplier, amplifying compensation proportionally.

4. Type & Location of Injury

Facial, head, or neck injuries command higher settlements due to disfigurement, visibility, and emotional impact.
Hand, arm, and leg injuries usually result in lower multipliers unless they cause nerve damage or disability.

5. Economic Damages

The foundation of your claim is your economic loss, including:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages
• Future earning capacity
• Property damage

These figures form the base of the calculator’s estimate.

6. Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)

The calculator applies injury-based multipliers to medical expenses to estimate pain and suffering. It also adjusts based on:

• Permanent scarring or disability
• Psychological trauma (like PTSD)
• The victim’s age and impact on life quality

How the Vermont Dog Bite Settlement Calculator Works

1. Enter your case details (age, location, injury type, etc.).
2. Add your economic losses — medical costs, lost wages, and so on.
3. Select the dog owner’s insurance limit, if known.
4. Hit “Calculate Estimate.”

The calculator automatically:

• Applies multipliers for severity, trauma, and age.
• Adjusts for comparative fault (provocation or trespassing).
• Caps recovery if insurance limits apply.
• Displays both economic and non-economic breakdowns.

If your case falls under the 51% bar or fails the negligence requirement, you’ll see a legal warning that recovery is blocked — a realistic reflection of Vermont law.

Example Calculation

Let’s say:

• Medical expenses: $8,000
• Future medical: $2,000
• Lost wages: $1,500
• Bite severity: Level 4 (deep punctures)
• Injury: Face
• Owner negligent: Yes
• Victim at fault: 25% (minor provocation)

Result:

• Economic damages = $11,500
• Pain & suffering multiplier = ~4.0 + injury modifiers
• Non-economic damages ≈ $46,000
• Total ≈ $57,500
• Reduced by 25% fault = $43,125 final settlement

Insurance Limits Matter

Most dog bite settlements in Vermont are paid through homeowner’s insurance.
Typical policy caps range from $100,000 to $300,000, though some go higher.

If your damages exceed the policy limit, recovery is capped — unless the owner has personal assets or umbrella coverage.

Legal Disclaimer

This calculator is for educational use only.
It’s designed around Vermont’s negligence-based “One-Bite Rule” and the 51% modified comparative fault standard under 12 V.S.A. § 1036.

It does not replace professional legal advice.
For an accurate evaluation and to navigate Vermont’s liability nuances, consult a Vermont personal injury attorney experienced in dog bite cases.