Washington Dog Bite Settlement Calculator & Compensation

How Dog Bite Claims Work in Washington

Washington follows a Strict Liability Law under RCW 16.08.040, which states that a dog owner is automatically liable if their dog bites someone — whether or not the dog had a history of aggression.

In simple terms:

• You don’t need to prove negligence.
• The owner can’t escape responsibility by saying they didn’t know the dog could bite.
• The only real defenses involve provocation or trespassing.

Additionally, the state applies a Pure Comparative Fault rule (RCW 4.22.005), meaning your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example:

• If you were 20% at fault (say, you provoked the dog), and your total damages were $100,000, your payout could be reduced to $80,000.

How the Washington Dog Bite Calculator Works

This calculator uses a data-driven formula based on:

• Medical costs
• Lost income
• Future expenses
• Injury severity
• Fault percentage
• Insurance policy limits

It combines both economic damages (things you can measure with receipts) and non-economic damages (like pain and suffering).

1. Economic Damages

These include:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning potential
• Property damage (such as torn clothing or broken glasses)

You’ll enter these costs directly into the calculator fields.

2. Pain & Suffering (Non-Economic Damages)

This portion is more subjective. The calculator estimates it using multipliers that depend on:

• Severity of the bite (based on the Dunbar Scale, from Level 1 to Level 6)
• Location of the injury (facial injuries often increase value)
• Permanent impact (like scarring or disability)
• Emotional trauma (anxiety or PTSD)
• Age and gender modifiers (younger victims and female claimants often see slightly higher multipliers due to scarring visibility and emotional impact)

The calculator applies these multipliers to your medical expenses to create an estimated non-economic value.

3. Fault & Insurance Limits

Two major caps can reduce the total:

• Victim Fault: If you share any blame, your total gets reduced proportionally.
• Policy Cap: If the dog owner’s insurance policy has a maximum payout limit, your claim can’t exceed it, no matter the calculated total.

Example of a Dog Bite Settlement Estimate

Imagine this scenario:

• Medical Bills: $12,000
• Future Medical: $3,000
• Lost Wages: $2,000
• No trespassing or provocation (0% fault)
• Bite Severity: Level 4 (deep punctures)
• Injury: Face and permanent scar
• Insurance Policy Limit: $300,000

The calculator might estimate:

• Economic damages: $17,000
• Pain & suffering: ≈ $70,000
• Total pre-cap value: ≈ $87,000
• Final settlement (within policy): $87,000

If you were 25% at fault, the payout would drop to roughly $65,250.

Factors That Influence Washington Dog Bite Settlements

Understanding Pain and Suffering in Washington

Unlike hard costs, pain and suffering compensation measures the human side of injury — emotional distress, embarrassment, fear of dogs, or lifestyle changes.

Insurance adjusters and attorneys often use multipliers (from 1.5x to 6x medical costs) based on:

• Treatment length
• Visible scars
• Emotional trauma
• Daily impact (work, hobbies, social life)

The calculator automates this process to provide a ballpark estimate of your non-economic damages.

Washington Laws Supporting Victims

• Strict Liability (RCW 16.08.040): Owners are liable even if it’s the dog’s first bite.
• Comparative Fault (RCW 4.22.005): Settlement is reduced by the victim’s fault percentage.
• Statute of Limitations: Victims generally have 3 years to file a lawsuit from the date of injury.

When to Use the Calculator

Use this free calculator when you want to:

• Get a ballpark estimate before speaking with a lawyer.
• Compare potential outcomes under different scenarios (like fault or policy caps).
• Understand how Washington’s laws affect your compensation.

Keep in mind: this is not a substitute for legal advice. Every dog bite case is unique — and an experienced Washington dog bite lawyer can often uncover additional damages or negotiate beyond insurance limits.

Key Takeaways

• Washington’s strict liability makes it easier for victims to claim compensation.
• The calculator estimates economic + non-economic damages using clear multipliers.
• Factors like fault, injury location, and policy limits directly affect payouts.
• Always verify your estimate with a personal injury attorney before accepting an insurance offer.