What is the payout for a dog bite?

By Michael Shemtoub, trial attorney, Beverly Law. Updated November 2026.

What the law lets you recover

All three states pay for money losses, such as medical bills and lost wages, and for losses that have no receipt, such as pain and disfigurement.

With no formula for noneconomic loss in any of the three states, proof of how the bite changed daily life does most of the work. Our page on how pain and suffering is calculated explains how juries approach it.

Scarring, surgery and infection

These medical facts tend to move a bite claim more than any other.

• Scarring. A visible scar is disfigurement, a loss all three states recognize. Where the scar sits, how it heals and whether a doctor expects revision surgery all belong in the claim, and the cost of that future care is a medical expense.
• Surgery. Repair by a plastic surgeon, and any later revision, adds bills, recovery time and missed work.
• Infection. The CDC says a bite can spread germs even when the wound does not look deep, and that infected wounds may be red, painful or swollen or cause a fever. An infection means more visits, more medicine and a longer recovery, and the records should show each one.
• Rabies treatment. The CDC notes that a doctor may consult the health department about rabies postexposure treatment, which is part of the medical bills.

If a bite wound becomes red, swollen or more painful, or you develop a fever, get medical care right away. Mayo Clinic also advises care for any deep puncture, badly torn skin or heavy bleeding.

When the victim is a child

The CDC says children are more likely than adults to be bitten by a dog and that their injuries tend to be more severe. A child’s claim covers care that may continue into adulthood, so a doctor’s written opinion about future treatment carries real weight.

Two rules are specific to children. In California, a parent’s settlement of a child’s disputed claim is valid only after a superior court approves it (Prob. Code 3500). And in all three states, time while the injured person is a minor generally does not count against the deadline to sue a private party (CCP 352, CPRC 16.001, RCW 4.16.190). California’s rule does not apply to claims against a public entity.

Emotional harm

Many people bitten by a dog become afraid of dogs, avoid walks or parks, or have trouble sleeping. California’s jury instruction lists anxiety and emotional distress, and Texas and Washington both list mental anguish. Notes from a counselor or therapist are the clearest proof, along with what family members have seen change. Our page on compensation for anxiety after an accident covers how this harm is shown.

Where the money comes from

Payment often comes from the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s liability coverage. The Insurance Information Institute (III) says those policies usually cover dog bite liability up to limits that are typically $100,000 to $300,000, that some insurers exclude certain breeds, and that the owner is responsible for damages above the limit. A dog already found dangerous must have its own coverage: at least $100,000 in Texas (H&S Code 822.042) and a $250,000 bond or liability policy in Washington (RCW 16.08.080). See What is a policy limit? for how limits cap what an insurer will pay.

For context only, here is national insurer data from the III. Homeowners insurers paid $1.86 billion on 28,450 dog-related injury claims in 2025, including 1,313 claims in Texas. The III links rising costs to higher medical costs and to larger settlements, judgments and jury awards. These are national industry totals, and they say nothing about what any one claim is worth.

State rules that change the number

Liability rules matter too. In California and Washington, the owner is responsible for a bite in public or on property where you were lawfully present, while Texas usually asks what the owner knew. Our page on dog bite evidence and our California dog bite law guide explain those rules.

What this means for your case

The value of a bite claim is built from records: photos of the wound over time, the surgeon’s notes and opinion about the scar, counseling records, every bill, proof of missed work, and the policy limit. Before you weigh any offer, ask the treating doctor what the scar is likely to need in the years ahead. Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou. You can find more answers on our injury law FAQs page.

Common questions

Related pages

Injury law FAQs

Important: This page is general information, not legal or medical advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; talk to a lawyer about yours. Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou. Last reviewed: November 7, 2026.