Level 1-5 California Dog Bite Settlement Examples
Legally reviewed by: Jessica Anvar Stotz, JD, MBA
When someone suffers a dog bite, one of the first questions they ask is, “How much is my settlement worth?”
The truth is, dog bite settlements vary widely based on the severity of the injuries, medical expenses, emotional trauma, lost wages, and the dog owner’s insurance coverage.
Beyond the physical pain, victims often face lasting scars—both seen and unseen—which can impact their confidence, livelihood, and overall well-being.
In this article, we’ll break down real-life dog bite settlement examples into five levels:
- Level 1 ($5,000 – $20,000): Minor bites requiring basic medical treatment with little to no long-term effects.
- Level 2 ($20,000 – $50,000): Deeper wounds, risk of infection, and moderate medical treatment.
- Level 3 ($50,000 – $100,000): Serious injuries requiring surgery, physical therapy, or extensive recovery time.
- Level 4 ($100,000 – $300,000): Severe attacks causing permanent damage, emotional trauma, or long-term medical care.
- Level 5 ($300,000 – $1,000,000+): Catastrophic cases involving disfigurement, disability, or wrongful death.
We’ll also explain how insurance coverage affects settlements—an often-overlooked factor that can limit or maximize compensation.
While some dog bite claims settle within a standard homeowner’s liability policy, others result in significant payouts due to negligence, repeated attacks, or extensive injuries.
By reviewing these real settlement examples, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of how the severity of a dog bite and the circumstances surrounding the attack influence the compensation you may be entitled to.
Level 1 Dog Bite Settlement Examples
A Level 1 dog bite generally involves no actual skin puncture, just aggressive behavior, nipping, or minor contact that may cause fear but no real injury.
These incidents often don’t require medical treatment but can still lead to emotional distress, especially for children.
Minor Dog Bite Requiring Basic Treatment – $10,000 Settlement
- What Happened: A neighbor’s small dog bit a delivery driver on the hand when they reached to hand over a package.
- Injuries: Superficial puncture wounds and minor bruising.
- Insurance Details: The homeowner’s insurance covered liability for the incident.
- Why This Amount: The settlement covered medical expenses, a brief period of lost wages, and minimal pain and suffering.
Child Bitten While Playing – $15,000 Settlement
- What Happened: A child playing at a friend’s house was nipped on the arm when they startled the family dog.
- Injuries: Small laceration requiring stitches but no long-term damage.
- Insurance Details: The homeowner’s insurance policy covered the claim.
- Why This Amount: The payout accounted for medical treatment, a short period of emotional distress, and a small pain and suffering component.
Level 2 Dog Bite Settlement Examples
Level 2 dog bites include shallow puncture wounds or minor scratches from a dog’s teeth, usually without deep tissue damage.
While medical attention may be needed for cleaning and infection prevention, these bites typically heal quickly with minimal long-term effects.
Dog Bite with Infection Risk – $30,000 Settlement
- What Happened: A jogger was bitten on the calf by an unleashed dog at a public park.
- Injuries: Deep puncture wounds requiring stitches, antibiotics for infection prevention, and a tetanus shot.
- Insurance Details: The dog owner’s renter’s insurance policy covered the claim.
- Why This Amount: The settlement covered medical bills, lost wages from a week of missed work, and moderate pain and suffering.
Postal Worker Bitten on the Job – $40,000 Settlement
- What Happened: A postal worker was delivering mail when a homeowner’s dog escaped through an open gate and bit their forearm.
- Injuries: Multiple puncture wounds, swelling, and nerve sensitivity requiring physical therapy.
- Insurance Details: The homeowner’s insurance policy covered the claim.
Why This Amount: The payout covered medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, and compensation for temporary work restrictions.
Level 3 Dog Bite Settlement Examples
A Level 3 bite involves deeper puncture wounds where the dog’s teeth have broken the skin and caused tissue damage.
Victims may require stitches, antibiotics, or even minor surgery, and there is a higher risk of infection or nerve damage.
Severe Hand Bite Requiring Surgery – $75,000 Settlement
- What Happened: A restaurant worker was bitten while attempting to break up a dog fight outside their workplace.
- Injuries: Deep lacerations on the hand, requiring surgery and physical therapy.
- Insurance Details: The dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance covered the claim.
- Why This Amount: The settlement accounted for medical expenses, physical therapy, lost wages during recovery, and ongoing discomfort affecting work performance.
Dog Attack on Elderly Woman – $90,000 Settlement
- What Happened: An off-leash dog lunged at an elderly woman walking in her neighborhood, knocking her down and biting her leg.
- Injuries: Multiple deep bites, significant bruising, and a fractured hip from the fall, requiring hospitalization.
- Insurance Details: The dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance covered the claim.
- Why This Amount: The payout included hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and the emotional distress of reduced mobility.
Level 4 Dog Bite Settlement Examples
Level 4 dog bites often result in severe wounds, deep lacerations, or crushing injuries, often requiring surgery and extensive medical treatment.
These bites can cause permanent scarring, nerve damage, or mobility issues, and victims may suffer from significant emotional trauma.
Child Attacked by Large Dog – $200,000 Settlement
- What Happened: A 10-year-old child was playing outside when a neighbor’s large dog broke through a fence and attacked.
- Injuries: Deep facial lacerations requiring reconstructive surgery, emotional trauma, and permanent scarring.
- Insurance Details: The homeowner’s insurance policy provided coverage, with negotiations pushing for policy limits.
- Why This Amount: The settlement covered medical procedures, psychological counseling, future cosmetic surgery, and pain and suffering due to lasting scars.
Jogger Mauled by Multiple Dogs – $250,000 Settlement
- What Happened: A jogger was attacked by two unrestrained dogs in a residential neighborhood. The dogs repeatedly bit the victim before a bystander intervened.
- Injuries: Multiple bite wounds on arms and legs, nerve damage, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Insurance Details: The dog owner’s insurance company initially denied liability but later settled to avoid trial.
- Why This Amount: The payout accounted for extensive medical treatment, long-term physical therapy, psychological trauma, and lost wages from an extended recovery period.
Level 5 Dog Bite Settlement Examples
A Level 5 bite is a catastrophic attack involving multiple deep wounds, life-threatening injuries, or permanent disfigurement.
These cases can lead to long-term disability or even death, often requiring extensive medical care, reconstructive surgery, and psychological support.
Vicious Dog Attack Leading to Permanent Disfigurement – $500,000 Settlement
- What Happened: A woman was attacked by a neighbor’s aggressive dog while visiting their home. The dog latched onto her face and would not release until bystanders intervened.
- Injuries: Severe facial wounds requiring multiple reconstructive surgeries, nerve damage, and permanent scarring.
- Insurance Details: The homeowner’s insurance policy covered the claim, with negotiations pushing toward the policy limits.
- Why This Amount: The settlement accounted for extensive medical procedures, lost earnings during recovery, ongoing pain, emotional trauma, and the cost of future cosmetic surgeries.
Fatal Dog Attack on Elderly Man – $1 Million Settlement
- What Happened: An elderly man was fatally attacked by a pack of loose dogs while walking near his home. His family pursued a wrongful death claim against the dog owners.
- Injuries: Multiple deep wounds, severe blood loss, and fatal trauma.
- Insurance Details: The defendants had limited insurance, but the settlement was reached through a combination of insurance payouts and personal assets.
- Why This Amount: The payout reflected funeral costs, loss of companionship for the family, pain and suffering before death, and punitive damages due to negligence in restraining the dogs.
Contact a California Dog Bite Attorney
Dog bites can have lasting physical, emotional, and financial impacts, but understanding past settlement examples can help you set realistic expectations for your claim.
If you or a loved one has been bitten, consulting an experienced attorney can ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and suffering. Contact LawLinq for a free consultation today.
