Wyoming Dog Bite Settlement Calculator & Compensation

Understanding Wyoming’s Dog Bite Law

Unlike many states, Wyoming follows the “One-Bite Rule.” This means a dog owner is not automatically liable for a bite unless:

• They knew the dog had aggressive tendencies, or
• They acted negligently, such as violating leash laws or failing to restrain a known dangerous dog.

If the owner had no prior knowledge of the dog’s danger, you may not recover damages. However, if negligence or prior aggression is proven, you can pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, and long-term suffering.

The 51% Bar Rule: Shared Fault in Wyoming

Wyoming uses a modified comparative fault system (W.S. § 1-1-109).

• If you’re 51% or more at fault, you can’t recover damages.
• If you’re 50% or less at fault, your compensation is reduced by your fault percentage.

For instance, if your damages total $100,000 but you were 25% at fault (say, you accidentally provoked the dog), your payout would be $75,000.

The calculator applies this rule automatically, showing fault reductions in your estimate.

How the Wyoming Dog Bite Settlement Calculator Works

This online tool simplifies complex legal math. It combines economic losses (like medical bills and lost income) with non-economic damages (like pain, suffering, and trauma).

Here’s what it takes into account:

1. Victim & Incident Details

• Age of Victim: Children and elderly victims often receive higher settlements due to vulnerability.
• Incident Location: Whether the attack happened on public property or the owner’s land matters—especially if trespassing or provocation was involved.
• Provocation Level: Full recovery may be denied if you significantly provoked the dog.

2. Owner Negligence

• This is the key legal threshold in Wyoming.
  If the owner wasn’t negligent (no reason to suspect danger), compensation may be barred under the “One-Bite” rule.

3. Injury Details

The calculator uses the Dunbar Bite Scale (Levels 1–6) to rate severity:

• Levels 1–2: Shallow or no puncture → low damages
• Levels 3–4: Deep punctures → moderate to high damages
• Level 5–6: Multiple severe bites or fatality → very high settlements

It also factors in:

• Injury location (facial bites often yield higher compensation)
• Type of injury (nerve damage, fractures, scarring)
• Permanent disability or psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety)

Each element carries a multiplier that increases the pain and suffering component.

4. Economic Damages

You can enter values for:

• Past & future medical bills
• Lost wages & earning capacity
• Property damage (like torn clothing or broken glasses)

5. Policy Limits

Insurance coverage caps payouts. If your total exceeds the dog owner’s policy limit (e.g., $300,000), the calculator shows both the pre-cap total and capped settlement estimate.

What’s Typically Included in a Wyoming Dog Bite Settlement

Example Scenario

Let’s break down a realistic case:

• 10-year-old child bitten in the face
• Dog had previous aggression (owner negligent)
• $15,000 in medical bills
• No lost wages, $0 future earnings loss
• Minor psychological trauma

Result:

• Base pain and suffering = $15,000 × (3.0 severity multiplier) = $45,000
• Additional multipliers for age, face injury, trauma ≈ +70%
• Adjusted total = ~$76,500
• If the victim had 25% shared fault → payout reduced to $57,375

Key Warnings the Calculator Displays

The calculator automatically issues realistic alerts:

• “One-Bite Rule” Warning: No recovery without proven negligence.
• “51% Bar” Notice: No compensation if you’re mostly at fault.
• Comparative Fault Reduction: Shows how much fault cuts your payout.

These warnings help manage expectations before talking to a lawyer.

Why This Calculator Matters

Legal claims for dog bites can get complicated fast. The calculator helps victims:

• Estimate compensation range before filing a claim
• Understand how Wyoming’s “One-Bite” and “51% fault” laws interact
• Recognize the importance of negligence in proving liability
• Prepare for discussions with insurance adjusters or attorneys

It’s not a substitute for legal advice—but it’s an excellent starting point for understanding what your claim may be worth.