A Level 4 bite is severe enough that settlement amounts reflect serious injury

A Level 4 dog bite means the dog's teeth broke the skin in multiple places, caused deep puncture wounds, or tore tissue. The injury usually requires stitches, antibiotics, or a hospital visit. Because the physical damage is significant and the medical costs are real, settlements for Level 4 bites tend to be substantially higher than for minor bites — often ranging from several thousand dollars into the tens of thousands, depending on where you live, the dog owner's insurance, and the specifics of what happened.

The settlement amount is not set by law. Instead, it reflects what the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance will pay, what a lawyer thinks a judge or jury would award if the case went to trial, and what both sides are willing to accept to avoid court. A Level 4 bite that required emergency surgery will settle differently than one that needed urgent care and antibiotics.

Key Takeaways

  • Level 4 settlements typically cover emergency room or urgent care costs, follow-up medical visits, antibiotics, imaging, and any reconstructive procedures needed for scarring or functional damage.
  • Most settlements also include compensation for lost wages if you missed work during recovery or treatment, and for pain and suffering — a dollar amount separate from medical bills.
  • The dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance usually pays the settlement, up to the policy limit, which varies widely by state and policy.
  • Your own health insurance may require you to reimburse them from the settlement if they paid your medical bills first, a process called subrogation.
  • A personal injury lawyer typically takes 33 percent of the settlement as their fee, though this is negotiable and should be discussed upfront.

What medical costs are typically included in a Level 4 settlement

A Level 4 settlement covers the actual bills you received for treating the bite. This includes the emergency room or urgent care visit where the wound was cleaned and stitched, any imaging (X-rays or CT scans to check for bone or nerve damage), antibiotics prescribed to prevent infection, tetanus shots if needed, and any follow-up appointments with your doctor or a surgeon.

If the bite left a scar or caused functional problems — such as reduced movement in a hand or arm, or nerve damage that affects sensation — the settlement may also cover reconstructive surgery or ongoing physical therapy. Plastic surgery to minimize scarring is sometimes included if the bite is on a visible area like the face or neck. The insurance company will ask for copies of all medical records and bills to calculate this portion of the settlement.

How pain and suffering is calculated in dog bite cases

Beyond medical bills, settlements include pain and suffering damages — money for the physical pain you experienced, the emotional distress of being attacked, any anxiety or fear of dogs that developed afterward, and the disruption to your daily life during recovery. This is not a medical bill; it is compensation for what you went through.

Insurance companies and lawyers often calculate pain and suffering using a multiplier: they take your total medical bills and multiply them by a number between 1.5 and 5, depending on how severe the injury was and how long recovery took. A Level 4 bite with significant scarring or nerve damage might use a multiplier of 3 to 5. A Level 4 bite that healed cleanly with minimal long-term effects might use 1.5 to 2.5. The exact number depends on the facts of your case and what a lawyer thinks a jury would award if the case went to trial.

Lost wages and other non-medical costs

If you missed work while recovering from the bite or attending medical appointments, the settlement includes compensation for those lost wages. You will need to provide pay stubs or a letter from your employer showing how many hours or days you missed and what you would have earned. If you are self-employed, tax returns or business records showing your typical income help establish what you lost.

Some settlements also cover the cost of transportation to medical appointments, childcare or pet care you had to arrange while you were unable to care for dependents, or other out-of-pocket expenses directly caused by the bite. Keep receipts and records of anything you spent money on because of the injury.

How homeowner's and renter's insurance affects the settlement amount

The dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance is almost always the source of the settlement money. Most policies include liability coverage that pays for injuries caused by the policyholder's dog, up to a limit — commonly $100,000 to $300,000, though this varies by state and by individual policy. If the policy limit is $100,000 and your damages total $150,000, the insurance will pay only up to $100,000 unless you pursue the dog owner personally for the remainder, which is often not practical.

If the dog owner does not have insurance, or if the policy has already been exhausted by other claims, you may need to pursue a judgment against the owner directly. This is slower and less certain, because you would need to collect from the owner's personal assets or wages, which can be difficult. A lawyer can advise you on whether pursuing the owner is worth the effort in your specific situation.

Subrogation: when your health insurance wants money back

If your own health insurance paid your medical bills before the settlement was reached, the insurance company may have a subrogation right — the legal right to be reimbursed from your settlement. This means that even though you received the settlement, you may have to pay back some of it to your insurance company.

The amount they can recover is usually limited to what they actually paid, not the full amount of your medical damages in the settlement. A lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company to reduce this amount or to structure the settlement in a way that minimizes what you owe back. Always tell your lawyer if your health insurance paid any of your bills, because this affects how much of the settlement you actually keep.

What happens if the case goes to trial instead of settling

Most dog bite cases settle before trial, but some do not. If the insurance company and your lawyer cannot reach an agreement, the case may go to court. At trial, a judge or jury decides whether the dog owner is liable and, if so, how much to award. A jury may award more or less than the settlement offer, and the process takes longer — often a year or more.

Going to trial also means more legal work and higher lawyer fees, though your lawyer's percentage of the award (typically 33 percent) usually stays the same. Before rejecting a settlement offer, discuss with your lawyer what a jury is likely to award in your area for a similar injury, and what the risks and costs of trial would be. Some cases are strong enough that trial is worth it; others are not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the settlement cover my plastic surgery for scarring?

Possibly. If the scar is on a visible area and affects your appearance or function, many settlements include reconstructive surgery. You will need a surgeon's estimate of the cost and a medical opinion that the surgery is necessary, not cosmetic. The insurance company may approve it as part of the settlement, or you may need to pursue it separately after the case closes.

What if I had a pre-existing condition that the bite made worse?

You can still recover for the additional injury the bite caused. For example, if you had a weak hand and the dog bite caused nerve damage that made it weaker, the settlement covers the damage the bite caused, not the pre-existing condition. Your lawyer will need medical records showing what your condition was before the bite and how it changed after.

Can I settle without a lawyer?

Yes, but the insurance company will likely offer less than a lawyer could negotiate. Insurance adjusters are trained to settle cases for the lowest amount possible. A lawyer knows what similar cases have settled for in your area and can push back on a low offer. Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of the settlement rather than charging you upfront, so there is no cost to you unless you win.

How long does a Level 4 settlement usually take?

Most Level 4 settlements take three to six months from the time you hire a lawyer, though it can be faster if the facts are clear and the insurance company is cooperative. If the case goes to trial, expect a year or longer. Your lawyer can give you a better timeline once they have reviewed the police report and medical records.

What if the dog owner says it was my fault for provoking the dog?

Many states have strict liability laws for dog bites, meaning the owner is liable even if the dog has never bitten anyone before and even if you were partly at fault. Other states use a "one bite" rule, where the owner is liable only if they knew the dog was dangerous. Your lawyer will know which rule applies in your state and how it affects your case. Provocation can reduce your settlement, but it usually does not eliminate it entirely.