Dog bite compensation calculator
Estimate what your dog bite or animal attack claim could be worth — compensation (UK £) or settlement (US $) — built on published Judicial College bracket figures. Dog bites often centre on scarring and psychological harm, and the calculator reflects that.
Dog Bite Compensation Calculator
Estimate your total payout range in under a minute
Last updated · By Mustafa Bilgic · Figures reviewed against the Judicial College Guidelines
What a dog bite claim is made of
A dog bite is a personal-injury claim like any other, but it has a distinctive shape. The lead injury is often scarring from puncture wounds and lacerations, and many victims — especially children — also develop a recognised psychological injury such as post-traumatic stress or a lasting fear of dogs. Hand and wrist injuries, nerve damage and infection are also common. As with every claim, the value is built from two parts: general damages for the injury and special damages for your financial losses.
General damages — the injury itself
General damages compensate you for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by the attack. In England and Wales these are valued from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). For dog bites the most relevant brackets are usually scarring (judged on visibility, permanence and the distress it causes), psychological injury, and hand or wrist injury where nerve or tendon damage is involved. A serious facial scar, or scarring on a young person, can attract a substantial award. In the US there is no national table, so typical published settlement ranges are used.
Special damages — your financial losses
On top of the injury value you can recover the money you actually lost: lost earnings while you could not work, medical treatment, antibiotics for infection, scar-revision or plastic surgery, psychological therapy, care and travel. Where scarring is permanent, the cost of future cosmetic treatment can form part of the claim. Serious cases can also include future losses such as ongoing therapy or reduced earning capacity.
Dog bite compensation amounts by injury
The table below shows indicative general-damages ranges for the injuries most often seen after a dog bite. Special damages (lost earnings, treatment, scar revision, care) are added on top. UK figures are bracket-style estimates based on the Judicial College Guidelines; US figures are typical personal-injury settlement ranges.
| Injury type | UK — Minor (£) | UK — Moderate (£) | UK — Severe (£) | US — typical ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scarring / laceration | 2,000 – 9,300 | 9,300 – 30,000 | 30,000 – 97,000 | 3k – 200k |
| Psychological (PTSD) | 1,700 – 7,700 | 7,700 – 28,300 | 28,300 – 120,000 | 10k – 130k |
| Wrist / hand | 3,800 – 12,800 | 12,800 – 29,400 | 29,400 – 79,000 | 4k – 150k |
| Broken bone / fracture | 2,800 – 12,000 | 12,000 – 45,000 | 45,000 – 135,000 | 12k – 150k |
| General soft-tissue | 1,500 – 5,000 | 5,000 – 12,500 | 12,500 – 38,000 | 3k – 110k |
All figures are bracket-style estimates based on the Judicial College Guidelines (UK) and typical US settlement ranges, and are rounded. Your case may differ. Last updated .
When a child is bitten
Children are bitten far more often than adults and, because of their height, tend to suffer bites to the face and head, so scarring and psychological harm are common and awards can be higher. A claim for a child is brought by a parent or guardian acting as a litigation friend, and any settlement must be approved by the court to protect the child's interests. Importantly, in England & Wales the three-year time limit does not begin until the child turns 18 — so they generally have until their 21st birthday to bring a claim.
How to use this dog bite calculator
- Pick the main injury from the attack — for dog bites this is usually scarring, psychological harm or a hand injury.
- Choose the severity that matches your medical prognosis and recovery time.
- Add any financial losses: lost earnings, treatment, scar-revision surgery and care.
- Switch the region toggle to UK £ or US $ and read your estimated total range.
The estimate is a realistic starting point, not a quote. For a precise valuation you need a medical report — and for scarring, often photographs and a plastic-surgery opinion. See our guides on how compensation is calculated and general vs special damages.
Frequently asked questions
How much compensation will I get for a dog bite?
It depends on the injury and your losses. In England & Wales, scarring is valued from the Judicial College Guidelines at roughly £2,000 for minor marks up to £30,000 or more for significant or facial scarring, and psychological harm such as PTSD is valued separately from about £1,700 into five figures. Special damages are added on top. In the US a dog bite settlement commonly runs from a few thousand dollars for a minor bite into six figures for serious scarring, nerve damage or a child's injury, depending on the state and the owner's insurance.
Who is liable for a dog bite (owner or keeper)?
Usually the dog's owner or keeper. In England & Wales the Animals Act 1971 can impose strict liability on a keeper for damage done by a dog in certain circumstances, and the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes it a criminal offence to let a dog be dangerously out of control. A civil claim is normally made against the owner, often covered by home or pet insurance. In the US, liability varies by state: many impose strict liability on the owner, while others apply a negligence or "one-bite" rule.
Can I claim for scarring and psychological harm?
Yes. Dog bites frequently leave permanent scarring, valued on its visibility, permanence and psychological impact. A separate award can be made for recognised psychological injury such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or a phobia of dogs, supported by a psychiatric or psychological report. You can also claim financial losses such as lost earnings, treatment, scar-revision surgery and care.
What if a child was bitten?
Children are bitten more often than adults and tend to suffer bites to the face and head, so scarring and psychological harm are common and awards can be higher. A claim for a child is brought by a parent or guardian acting as a litigation friend, and any settlement must be approved by the court. In England & Wales the three-year time limit does not start until the child turns 18, so they generally have until their 21st birthday to claim.
How long do I have to claim for a dog bite?
In England & Wales the general limit is three years from the date of the bite, or from when you first knew the injury was significant and attributable to the attack. For children the limit does not start until their 18th birthday, and different rules apply to people who lack capacity. In the US each state sets its own statute of limitations, commonly two to three years. Check your jurisdiction early. See claim time limits.
Related calculators & guides
How payouts are calculated
General vs special damages, severity, and the maths behind every estimate.
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