This calculator estimates what a dog bite claim could be worth under Texas law. It applies Texas’s 51% bar rule, the two-year deadline to file suit and the insurance that usually pays, then shows the math line by line, including what you might take home after a lawyer’s fee.
Texas does not make owners automatically liable for every bite, so the strength of the claim depends on what the owner knew about the dog or how careless they were. The calculator values the injury; proving liability is a separate step.
Texas rules behind this estimate
Fault. Texas uses modified comparative fault with a 51% bar. If you are found 20% at fault, your award drops by 20%. At 51% or more, you recover nothing. Insurers know this, so expect them to argue your share up.
Dog bite rule. No dog bite statute. The owner is liable if they knew the dog was dangerous (the one-bite rule) or were negligent, for example by breaking a leash law.
Deadline. You have two years from the bite to file a lawsuit in Texas. A claim against a city, county or state agency usually needs written notice much sooner, sometimes within months. Missing the deadline almost always ends the claim, and with it your leverage to settle.
Insurance. Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, which usually carries $100,000 to $300,000 of liability coverage. Some policies exclude certain breeds or dogs with a bite history, so ask for the policy early.
Damage caps. None on injury damages. Medical malpractice and punitive damages have separate caps.
Texas dog bite questions
Is Texas a strict liability state for dog bites?
No. No dog bite statute. The owner is liable if they knew the dog was dangerous (the one-bite rule) or were negligent, for example by breaking a leash law.
What if I was partly at fault for the bite?
Yes, as long as you were 50% or less at fault. Your award is reduced by your percentage, and at 51% or more you recover nothing. Provoking or teasing the dog is the usual argument.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Texas?
two years from the bite.
Who pays for a dog bite?
Usually the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. Report the bite to animal control and get the owner’s insurance details at the scene if you can.