Average Dog Bite Settlement in Georgia
How a Dog Bite Settlement Is Calculated
If a dog has bitten you or someone you love in Georgia, the first question is usually: how much is my case worth? There is no official Georgia average — what your claim is worth depends on your injury and on Georgia’s dog-bite law (below). Across the dog bite cases our firm has resolved, settlements have averaged about $49,900 (median $22,700), ranging from $1,000 to $505,000. If you’d rather just talk it through, we’re here 24/7 — call 866-592-4837.
What is the average dog bite settlement in Georgia?
Across the dog bite cases our firm has resolved nationwide:
- Average settlement: ~$49,900
- Median settlement: ~$22,700 (the “typical” case)
- Range: $1,000 to $505,000
The average is higher than the median because a handful of severe-injury cases (facial wounds, surgeries, permanent scarring) pull the average up. For most people, the median is the more realistic benchmark for what an everyday dog bite claim looks like.
A quick word on these numbers: every case is different, and past results never guarantee a future outcome. These figures are gross recoveries from real cases before attorney’s fees and costs, shared to give you a realistic starting point, not a promise.
Dog bite law in Georgia
Georgia is not a strict-liability state. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7, an owner is liable only if the dog had a vicious or dangerous propensity — shown either by the owner’s prior knowledge or by proof that a local leash ordinance was violated — and the owner managed the dog carelessly, and the victim did not provoke it. You have two years to file (§ 9-3-33), and Georgia uses modified comparative fault with a 50% bar (§ 51-12-33): a victim who is 50% or more at fault recovers nothing.
How our dog bite settlements break down
We don’t yet have enough resolved Georgia cases to publish a Georgia-specific average, so here is how our dog bite settlements break down nationwide:
About half of all dog bite cases settle between $10,000 and $50,000, while roughly 1 in 7 exceed $100,000 when injuries are severe. For a state-specific benchmark, State Farm reported paying $6.7 million across 110 dog-bite injury claims to its Georgia policyholders (State Farm’s most recent state figures, 2022) — about $60,900 per claim, an insurer payout rather than a settlement. Nationally in 2025, insurers paid an average of about $65,450 per dog-bite claim across 28,450 claims (Insurance Information Institute).
Real dog bite settlement examples
Illustrative outcomes from real cases our firm has resolved (nationwide). Details are generalized to protect client privacy; amounts are gross recoveries before fees and costs.
- $505,000: Severe attack with multiple surgeries and permanent disfigurement
- $275,000: Significant scarring and lasting nerve damage
- $151,000: Deep puncture wounds requiring surgical repair
- $100,000: Facial injury to a child
- $50,000: Moderate injury with visible scarring
- $22,500: Single bite requiring an ER visit and follow-up care
- $5,000 – $10,000: Minor bite, treated and healed without lasting injury
What affects how much your dog bite case is worth
- Severity of your injuries. Puncture wounds, broken bones, nerve damage, and infections all raise a claim’s value.
- Scarring and disfigurement. Permanent or visible scars (especially on the face) significantly increase compensation.
- Medical bills and future care. Surgeries, reconstructive procedures, and ongoing treatment are all recoverable.
- Lost wages. Time missed from work, and any lasting impact on your ability to earn.
- Emotional trauma. Anxiety, PTSD, and fear of dogs are real injuries the law recognizes.
- Insurance coverage. Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. If the owner has no insurance, recovering money becomes much harder.
- Your state’s dog bite law. “Strict liability” states (like Illinois) make it far easier to recover than “one-bite” states.
Because the severity of the bite matters most, see typical settlements by Level 3, Level 4, or Level 5 bites, or see average dog bite settlement amounts across all cases.
Two cases that sound similar can settle for very different amounts. The biggest factors are:
How to find out what your dog bite case is worth
Try our Dog Bite Settlement Calculator for an instant ballpark based on your injuries.
Talk to us directly. A free case review gives you a far more accurate picture than any calculator, because we’ll look at the specifics insurance companies care about.
You don’t have to guess. There are two easy ways to get a real estimate:
Bitten by a dog? Find out what your case is worth.
Our team is available 24/7. Contact us via call, email, text, or chat.
Georgia Dog Bite Settlement FAQs
There is no official Georgia average, and Georgia’s fault-based law makes proof important. Across all the dog bite cases our firm has resolved, settlements have averaged about $49,900 (median $22,700), from $1,000 to $505,000.
Neither, exactly. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7 you must show the dog had a vicious propensity (through the owner’s knowledge or a violated leash ordinance) plus careless management.
Two years from the date of injury (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33).
If a local leash or at-heel ordinance was violated when you were bitten, you may not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous — the ordinance violation can establish the required propensity.
Georgia cases turn on proving propensity and management, so evidence matters. Our consultation is free and you pay nothing unless we win.