How Much is a Dog Bite Claim Worth in Missouri?
About the Author
Ethan Charles (“EC”) Duckworth is the founding attorney of Duckworth Injury Law. EC earned his law degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia, where he graduated in the top 10 of his class and served as an Editor of the Missouri Law Review. EC currently serves as a member of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (MATA) and is a graduate of the Ross T. Roberts Trial Academy. EC has represented many dog bite injury victims throughout his career, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation recovered on behalf of dog bite victims.
Duckworth Injury Law Is Here to Help You Recover the Economic & Non-Economic Damages You Deserve After Suffering a Dog Bite in Missouri
With an estimated 90 million dogs living in homes across the United States, it’s no surprise that dog bite incidents lead to a large number of personal injury claims every year – including in Missouri. In fact, across the nation, it’s estimated that there are around 4.5 million dog bite incidents annually. At Duckworth Injury Law, my firm frequently handles dog bite claims across the mid-Missouri region. In doing so, the most common question I receive from dog bite victims is: “How much is my dog bite injury claim worth?” While the value of a Missouri dog bite claim depends on several factors (discussed below), the national average for a dog bite claim settlement in 2024 was $69,272 (according to the Insurance Information Institute).
While this figure provides a broad overview of the average dog bite claim settlement across the country, the true value of your dog bite personal injury claim depends on the following factors, which are unique to your own particular claim:
The Nature & Severity of Your Dog Bite Injuries in Mid-Missouri
Simply put, the more egregious a dog bite injury, the higher the settlement value will typically be. Bites that do not puncture the surface of the skin will be valued much less than a bite that causes a large laceration. The location of the bite can also play a role in settlement value. Bites to the face, neck, and other visible parts of the body will often have a higher settlement value than bites to parts of the body that are not as visible.
Further, bites that lead to additional complications such as nerve damage, tendon damage, or bone fractures will be valued higher than those that involve only the wound itself. If an infection develops (including rabies risk, MRSA, Pasteurella, etc.), this must be accounted for in value as well.
Economic Damages in Missouri Dog Bite Claims, Including Medical Treatment & Lost Wages
As with other personal injury claims, Missouri law permits you to recover the economic damages incurred from the incident (i.e., tangible damages in which a dollar value can be more easily ascertained). Generally, economic damages include past and future medical bills and past and future lost wages caused by the dog bite. It’s important to note that there is often a strong correlation between the total amount of your economic damages and the total amount of your settlement.
As such, after a dog bite attack, your dog bite lawyer will gather all of your medical bills and all of your lost wages (pay stubs, tax returns, etc.) to calculate your economic damages to include in settlement negotiations. If your injuries sustained in the dog attack will lead to future medical treatment or future lost wages, your dog bite lawyer may want to have an expert project the costs of such damages moving forward.
Scarring, Disfigurement & Permanent Complications May Arise From a Missouri Dog Attack
Another important factor in the value of a dog bite injury claim is whether the dog bite injury causes scarring, disfigurement, or other permanent complications. Scarring across the body (especially in highly visible areas such as the face, hands, and legs) is a compensable damage in a Missouri dog bite case. Scarring can also be associated with psychological impacts, including body insecurity, anxiety, and depression.
Pain, Suffering & Emotional Trauma After a Dog Bite
Often, the greatest impact of a dog bite attack is the pain, suffering, and emotional trauma associated with the incident. From the pain experienced during the attack itself to the discomfort and aching during the time necessary for your wounds to heal, the “non-economic” damages associated with a dog bite incident often out-value the economic damages. Other non-economic damages associated with a Missouri dog bite personal injury claim include emotional distress, anxiety, fear of dogs moving forward, post-traumatic stress disorder (if diagnosed), nightmares, sleep disruption, and other lifestyle effects from the attack.
Other Factors Influencing the Value of a Dog Bite Claim Filed in Missouri
Age of Victim
Dog bite injuries involving children are generally valued higher than those involving adults. Children are more vulnerable to severe injuries, are more likely to suffer facial bites, and may experience lifelong physical and emotional effects.
Prior History of Aggression and/or Attack by the Dog
If the dog has a known history of aggression or prior attacks, this can significantly increase the value of a claim and may support a claim for punitive damages against the dog owner.
Comparative Fault and/or Provocation
Missouri follows a comparative fault system, meaning your recovery may be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you, but your claim is not automatically barred. As such, if you did something to cause the dog to bite you (e.g., kicking or punching the dog), your case value may be reduced based upon your own allocation of fault
Where the Dog Bite Occurred
Your status as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser may impact whether the dog owner is liable for your damages
Some mid-Missouri counties are better venues for pursuing personal injury claims (such as dog bite claim) than others
Liability Insurance Coverage Available
Once the total value of your dog bite personal injury claim is calculated using the factors outlined above, the actual settlement value of your claim may be limited based upon the applicable liability coverage insurance available to pay your claim. In mid-Missouri dog bite claims, the at-fault party/dog owner’s liability will typically be covered under their homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance policy. These insurance policies often have bodily injury liability limits ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 (with some having more and some having less). Oftentimes, the liability insurance coverage limits of the at-fault party will cap the practical recovery on your dog bite injury claim. While you may have the option to go after the at-fault party personally (for compensation above their applicable liability insurance policy limits), recovering on an excess judgment claim can be difficult. As such, your dog bite lawyer should be able to outline for you the practical cap on your dog bite claim based upon the applicable insurance coverage available.
Put Your Dog Bite Claim in the Hands of an Experienced Dog Attack Attorney. EC Duckworth Is the Personal Injury Lawyer Mid-Missouri Trusts
At Duckworth Injury Law, our firm takes pride in being The Dog Bite Injury Firm for Mid-Missouri. Attorney EC Duckworth has handled dog bite claims all across Missouri, including in Columbia, Jefferson City, the Lake, and surrounding communities. If you are looking to maximize your recovery after a dog bite incident in Mid-Missouri, you need Mid-Missouri’s dog bite lawyer EC Duckworth on your team.
To learn more about Missouri’s dog bite liability law, be sure to check out our post “What You Should Know About Missouri’s Dog Bite Liability Laws”.
If you’d like to discuss what your Missouri dog bite claim is worth, reach out to Duckworth Injury Law today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation and consultation.
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