Dog Bite Settlements and Verdicts: What Your Case May Be Worth in PA, NJ, NY, and MD

Dog attacks can cause devastating, life-altering injuries — deep lacerations requiring reconstructive surgery, permanent nerve damage, severe scarring and disfigurement, broken bones, infections, rabies exposure requiring emergency post-exposure prophylaxis, and lasting psychological trauma including post-traumatic stress disorder. Understanding what your dog bite case may be worth is the first step toward getting the compensation you need and deserve.

Our Dog Bite Case Results

At Siddons Law Firm, we have a proven track record of recovering significant compensation for dog bite and animal attack victims. Our settlements range from $25,000 to over $300,000, reflecting the wide spectrum of injuries our clients have suffered. Some of our clients have been horribly injured in vicious dog attacks, including multiple cases involving rabies exposure that required emergency medical intervention and the painful series of post-exposure prophylaxis injections.

Every case is unique, but our results demonstrate our commitment to fighting for full and fair compensation — not the lowball offers insurance companies initially present. We understand the physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial burden that dog bite victims face, and we pursue every available avenue of recovery.

Factors That Determine Dog Bite Settlement Value

Severity of Physical Injuries

The nature and extent of your injuries is the primary driver of settlement value. Minor bites requiring only basic wound care and antibiotics fall on the lower end of the spectrum. Severe attacks involving deep puncture wounds, lacerations requiring stitches or surgical repair, broken bones from being knocked down by a large dog, nerve damage causing numbness or loss of function, tendon and muscle damage, and injuries requiring multiple surgeries drive settlements significantly higher.

Scarring and Disfigurement

Dog bites frequently cause permanent scarring, particularly to the face, hands, and arms. Visible scarring — especially facial disfigurement — substantially increases case value because of its lifelong impact on self-esteem, social interactions, employment opportunities, and quality of life. Children who suffer facial scarring from dog attacks often receive among the highest settlements because they must live with the disfigurement for their entire lives. Reconstructive plastic surgery costs, scar revision procedures, and ongoing dermatological treatment all factor into the damages calculation.

Rabies Exposure and Infectious Disease

Dog bite cases involving rabies exposure carry additional damages beyond the bite injury itself. Rabies is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear, making any exposure a medical emergency. Victims require immediate wound cleaning, rabies immunoglobulin injected at the wound site, and a series of four rabies vaccine doses over 14 days. The post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment is expensive — often costing $3,000 to $7,000 or more — and the emotional distress of potential rabies exposure adds significant non-economic damages. Our firm has handled multiple dog bite cases involving rabies exposure and understands the unique medical and legal dimensions these cases present.

Psychological Trauma

Dog attacks frequently cause lasting psychological harm, including post-traumatic stress disorder, severe anxiety around animals, nightmares, depression, and avoidance behaviors that limit daily activities. Children are especially vulnerable to lasting psychological effects. Treatment with a mental health professional, therapy costs, and the impact on quality of life all contribute to the non-economic damages portion of your claim.

Dog’s History and Owner’s Knowledge

Cases where the dog had a prior history of aggression, previous bite incidents, or was a breed known for dangerous propensities can result in higher settlements. If the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous and failed to take adequate precautions — such as keeping the dog properly restrained or muzzled — this strengthens your claim and may support punitive damages in some jurisdictions.

Dog Bite Laws Vary by State

Pennsylvania applies a modified version of the “one bite” rule. For full damages (pain and suffering, lost wages, etc.), you generally must prove the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous. However, for medical expenses only, Pennsylvania imposes strict liability on dog owners regardless of prior knowledge — meaning the owner is liable for your medical bills even if the dog had never bitten anyone before. Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations is two years.

New Jersey is a strict liability state for dog bites. The dog owner is liable for bite injuries regardless of whether the dog had a prior history of aggression and regardless of whether the owner took precautions. You only need to prove you were lawfully on the property (or in a public place) and were bitten. New Jersey’s statute of limitations is two years.

New York applies a mixed approach. For medical costs, New York imposes strict liability if the dog was previously declared “dangerous.” For all other damages — pain and suffering, lost wages, scarring — you must prove the owner knew or should have known the dog had “vicious propensities.” Evidence of prior bites, growling, lunging, or aggressive behavior toward people or other animals can establish this knowledge. New York’s statute of limitations is three years.

Maryland enacted a strict liability statute in 2014 that makes dog owners liable for injuries caused by their dogs running at large, regardless of the dog’s prior history. However, Maryland still follows contributory negligence — if you are found even 1% at fault (for example, if you provoked the dog), you may be barred from recovery entirely. Maryland’s statute of limitations is three years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the average dog bite settlement?

Dog bite settlements vary widely based on injury severity. Minor bites may settle for $10,000 to $25,000. Moderate injuries with scarring typically range from $25,000 to $100,000. Severe attacks involving reconstructive surgery, nerve damage, or rabies exposure can result in settlements of $100,000 to $300,000 or more. Siddons Law Firm has recovered settlements across this entire range for our clients.

Does homeowner’s insurance cover dog bite claims?

Yes, most homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies include liability coverage for dog bites, typically with limits ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 or more. This is the primary source of compensation in most dog bite cases. However, some policies exclude certain breeds or may deny coverage if the owner knew the dog was dangerous. An attorney can investigate all available insurance coverage.

Can I sue if a dog bites my child?

Absolutely. Children are the most frequent victims of dog attacks and often suffer the most severe injuries, particularly facial bites and lasting psychological trauma. As a parent, you can file a claim on your child’s behalf. Children’s cases often result in higher settlements due to the severity of injuries, the lifelong impact of scarring on a young person, and the lasting psychological effects.

What if the dog that bit me was a stray or the owner is unknown?

Cases involving stray dogs or unknown owners are more challenging because there may be no insurance policy to pursue. However, if the dog was loose due to a landlord’s failure to enforce pet policies, a municipality’s failure to enforce animal control ordinances, or an animal rescue organization’s negligent placement, there may be alternative liable parties. An attorney can investigate all potential sources of recovery.