Who pays in your state?
The bite, the owner and the insurance policy determine your claim.
Your state sets the deadline Call about my state law(844) 703-3920Claim details
This is the planning limit for an ordinary adult claim against a private owner. Children's claims and claims against public owners need a separate timing review. It is not an automatic personal last date.
Your state's dog bite lawOhio Rev. Code 2305.07All state rules
Who pays for a dog bite
The owner's homeowners or renters insurance usually pays, not the owner. A claim against a neighbor rarely means a check from the neighbor.
Insurers paid $1.86 billion on dog-related claims in 2025, across 28,450 claims, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Policy limits typically run $100,000 to $300,000. Whether the owner owes more depends on actual liability and damages.
Some insurers exclude certain breeds or refuse dogs with a bite history. Ask the owner for the name of their insurer. Read who pays for a dog bite.
Dog bite law across the U.S.: two kinds of rule
In the 29 strict liability states, including California, you show the bite and that you had a right to be there. California's Civil Code section 3342 holds the owner liable "regardless of the former viciousness of the dog" or what the owner knew.
Owners in other states can still be responsible under a different rule. Write down where you stood and why you were there.
Texas and Virginia follow the one-bite rule, as the State Bar of Texas explains. You show the owner knew the dog had bitten or growled before, or kept it carelessly. In Georgia, a dog off a leash that local law requires can show the owner's fault.
Since April 2025, New York also lets you sue for an owner's carelessness, per the NYSBA. Compare the strict liability states and the one-bite states, or find your state's law.
How long you have to file
Arizona gives 1 year under its dog bite statute. California and Texas give 2 years, and New York and Michigan give 3 years.
A child's clock often pauses until age 18. Call now so your claim is filed before your state's deadline. Check your deadline by state.
What claims pay and what a lawyer costs
The 2025 average was $65,450 per claim, down 5.5 percent from $69,272 in 2024. It has risen 97 percent since 2016. New York had the highest 2025 state average, $92,154.
An average hides a wide spread. A bite treated with a bandage settles for far less than a child's face bite that needs a plastic surgeon. Keep every bill and photo of the scar.
Injury attorneys are paid from the settlement, and only if money comes in. The fee and costs go into a written agreement you sign first. Stitches, a scar, a child or a denial letter usually change the number. See what dog bite claims pay or try the settlement calculator.
Guides for the days after a bite
If a bite is deep, bleeding or on the face, get medical care first. Then use these guides.
| State | Year | Claims | Average paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2024 | 2,417 | $86,229 |
| Texas | 2024 | 1,190 | $75,674 |
| Florida | 2024 | 1,821 | $55,680 |
| New York | 2024 | 994 | $110,488 |
| Georgia | 2024 | 671 | $46,724 |
| Illinois | 2024 | 940 | $64,941 |
| Ohio | 2024 | 985 | $44,885 |
| Pennsylvania | 2024 | 1,004 | $88,668 |
| Michigan | 2024 | 1,138 | $63,656 |
| New Jersey | 2024 | 782 | $72,375 |
Dog bite claim questions
Can you sue for a dog bite?
Yes. In a strict liability state you show the dog bit you where you had a right to be. In a one-bite state you also show the owner knew the dog was dangerous or was careless. Most claims settle with the insurer, so a lawsuit comes only when the offer is too low or the deadline is near.
Do I have to sue my neighbor personally?
Usually not out of their own pocket. Even when a lawsuit names the neighbor, their homeowners or renters insurer usually pays, up to the policy limit of typically $100,000 to $300,000. Read who pays for a dog bite.
How much is a dog bite claim worth?
The 2025 average was $65,450 per claim. Bills, scars, a child's age and your state's rule move it up or down. Enter your own bills in the settlement calculator for a range.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim?
It depends on the state. Arizona gives 1 year under its dog bite statute, California and Texas 2 years, New York and Michigan 3 years. A child's clock often pauses until age 18. See your deadline by state.
What does a dog bite attorney cost?
Nothing up front. Injury attorneys are paid out of the settlement, and only if there is one. The fee goes into a written agreement before you sign.
What if the dog bit my child?
A parent files for the child, and in many states the child's own deadline waits until age 18. Face bites and scars weigh heavily in the value. Read when a child is bitten.