Dog bites can leave lasting physical and emotional scars. Each year, thousands of Americans are injured by dog attacks, many of them children. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), insurers paid over $1 billion in dog bite liability claims in 2022 alone.
But what many people don’t realize is that when it comes to settling these claims, insurance companies don’t evaluate dog bite cases based on the real harm suffered — they use an internal ‘rating scale’ system that often undervalues the true cost of these injuries.
At John J. Malm & Associates, we’ve seen how this process works from the inside. And we’ve seen too many victims settle for far less than they deserve simply because they didn’t understand how insurance companies calculate claims — or how to fight back.
How Insurance Companies “Rate” Dog Bite Claims
When an insurance adjuster receives notice of a dog bite claim, the case is rarely evaluated based solely on fairness, injury severity, or personal accountability. Instead, many insurers use a claims evaluation system that assigns a dollar value to the claim based on factors like:
– The location of the bite
– Whether the bite left scars
– The age of the victim
– The amount of medical bills
– Whether the victim received psychological counseling
– Permanent disfigurement
– Prior behavior of the dog
– Any documented negligence by the dog owner
Insurance companies use internal scoring formulas or specialized software to generate a settlement ‘range.’ This range often has little to do with what the victim’s experience is actually worth and everything to do with minimizing the insurer’s financial exposure.
The Typical Dog Bite “Rating Scale”
Though each insurer is different, many use a simple three-tier system behind the scenes:
Low Severity Claim ($5,000 – $20,000): Minor bites with no significant injury, no scarring, and no psychological trauma.
Medium Severity Claim ($20,000 – $75,000): Deeper wounds, scarring, stitches, or moderate emotional distress.
High Severity Claim ($75,000 and up): Severe injuries, disfigurement, nerve damage, surgery, or lasting trauma.
What’s important to know is that these ratings are not objective. They are negotiating tools insurance companies use to control payouts and limit settlements.
What the Rating Scale Misses
Insurance companies’ internal evaluation systems often fail to account for:
– The true emotional and psychological trauma
– Long-term impact of scarring or disfigurement
– The fear and anxiety victims may carry for life
– The cost of future medical care, therapy, or revision surgery
– The effect on a child’s self-esteem and mental health
Victims — and even inexperienced attorneys — often don’t realize that the insurer’s initial offer is typically based on a lowest-value projection, designed to settle quickly and cheaply.
Why Many Dog Bite Victims Settle for Too Little
Most people don’t know how insurance companies evaluate claims behind the scenes. When adjusters offer a settlement, they may sound reasonable and sympathetic, saying things like:
– ‘This is the best offer we can make.’
– ‘We’ve evaluated this claim carefully.’
– ‘It’s a fair settlement based on your medical bills.’
But what they don’t tell you is that their offer is based on a limited formula that ignores many of the real-life consequences of a serious dog bite injury.
Victims often accept these low offers because:
– They don’t know their rights.
– They don’t understand how much compensation they’re entitled to.
– They want to avoid conflict or a lawsuit.
– They are struggling financially and need a quick payout.
Unfortunately, once you sign a settlement agreement, you waive your right to pursue further compensation — even if your injuries worsen or future medical expenses arise.
How We Successfully Settle Serious Dog Bite Cases
At John J. Malm & Associates, we take a different approach. We don’t rely on insurance company ‘rating scales.’ We evaluate the full impact of the injury on your life, now and in the future.
Our team has successfully recovered millions of dollars for dog bite victims by:
- Investigating the incident thoroughly
- Gathering medical evidence
- Obtaining expert opinions
- Understanding Illinois strict liability laws
- Building a case for pain, suffering, and emotional distress
What Should You Do If You’ve Been Bitten by a Dog?
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious dog bite injury, you need to protect your rights immediately:
1. Seek medical attention right away.
2. Report the bite to local animal control authorities.
3. Document the incident thoroughly.
4. Do not talk to the insurance company without legal advice.
5. Contact an experienced dog bite attorney.
A Word from Naperville Dog Bit Attorney John J. Malm
“Too often, dog bite victims don’t realize how seriously their injuries will affect them — or how insurance companies undervalue these claims. We fight to ensure every client receives the full compensation they deserve for their physical and emotional scars.”
Why Choose John J. Malm & Associates for Your Dog Bite Case?
At John J. Malm & Associates, we have over 90 years of combined legal experience representing injury victims across Naperville, St. Charles, Chicago, and throughout Illinois. Our team of six award-winning Naperville dog attack attorneys has successfully handled complex dog bite cases, holding negligent dog owners and insurance companies accountable.
We’ve helped clients recover compensation for:
– Permanent scarring
– Emotional trauma
– Nerve damage
– Lost income
– Medical bills and future care
We know how insurance companies ‘rate’ claims — and how to break through their formulaic evaluations to get our clients what they truly deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, don’t settle for less. Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us help you get the compensation and justice you deserve.