Texas Personal Injury Settlement Calculator
Get a rough estimate of what a Texas personal injury or dog-bite claim might be worth, based on your medical bills and losses. This is an estimate to understand the factors — not a prediction or an offer.
This is a rough estimate, not a prediction or an offer.
There is no formula that predicts a settlement. This tool uses the common "multiplier method" to show the factors that drive value and a wide range — actual outcomes depend on the facts, insurance limits, the venue, and negotiation. Consult a Texas personal-injury attorney about your case.
Enter your medical bills and losses to see an estimated range
The multiplier method (pain-and-suffering as a multiple of your medical bills) is a common starting point, not a guarantee. Most personal-injury cases settle out of court; most attorneys work on a contingency fee (commonly around a third, but the rate is set by your agreement and some states regulate or cap it), and an attorney is the only way to value your specific claim. This tool is not legal advice and RecordingLaw.com is not a law firm.
How the Estimate Works
No tool can predict a settlement — every case is different and the number depends on the facts, the available insurance, the venue, and negotiation. What this calculator does is apply the multiplier method, the rough starting point insurers and attorneys use: it adds up your economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, property damage), then estimates pain and suffering as a multiple of those damages (about 1.5× for minor injuries up to 5× or more for catastrophic ones), and shows a wide range. It is a way to understand value, not a guarantee.
It then applies Texas's fault rule, because how fault is shared directly changes what you can recover.
Texas's Fault Rule: modified comparative negligence (51% bar)
Texas uses "proportionate responsibility" under Civil Practice & Remedies Code Ch. 33. Section 33.001 bars recovery only if the claimant's "percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent" — i.e., a plaintiff who is 50% or less at fault still recovers (damages reduced by their fault share), but a plaintiff who is 51%+ at fault recovers nothing. This is the modified-comparative "51% bar." A defendant found more than 50% responsible can be jointly and severally liable for the whole judgment (§ 33.013).
Damage Caps in Texas
No cap on general personal-injury damages (economic or noneconomic) in ordinary negligence cases. Notable exceptions: (1) Medical malpractice/health-care liability — noneconomic damages capped at $250,000 per claimant against all physicians/individual providers combined, plus $250,000 per health-care institution up to $500,000 total across institutions (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 74.301); economic damages are NOT capped. (2) Punitive/exemplary damages capped at the greater of (a) two times economic damages plus noneconomic damages up to $750,000, or (b) $200,000 (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 41.008). (3) Claims against governmental units are capped under the Texas Tort Claims Act (Ch. 101).
Dog-Bite Liability in Texas
Texas has NO dog-bite statute; liability is common-law. The leading case is Marshall v. Ranne, 511 S.W.2d 255 (Tex. 1974), which adopted the "one-bite"/scienter rule (Restatement (Second) of Torts § 509): an owner is strictly liable for an animal with known dangerous propensities (the owner knew or should have known the dog was vicious — a prior bite is not strictly required; prior aggression like growling/lunging can suffice). Absent that knowledge, a victim must instead prove ordinary negligence in handling/restraining the dog.
Deadline to File a Claim in Texas
Texas generally requires a personal-injury lawsuit to be filed within 2 years of the injury (the statute of limitations). Two years from the date the cause of action accrues, under Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003(a). Wrongful-death claims also run two years, accruing on the date of death (§ 16.003(b)). Note narrow exceptions/tolling (e.g., minors, discovery rule, and special periods under §§ 16.0031/16.0045). Med-mal has its own 2-year period under § 74.251. Miss it and your claim is usually barred no matter how strong it is, so do not wait to talk to an attorney.
- Modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar: a plaintiff 50% or less at fault recovers reduced damages; 51%+ at fault recovers nothing (CPRC § 33.001).
- Personal-injury lawsuits must be filed within 2 years of the injury/accrual (CPRC § 16.003).
- No specific dog-bite statute — Texas follows the common-law one-bite/scienter rule from Marshall v. Ranne (1974); owner liable if it knew or should have known of the dog's dangerous propensities, otherwise the victim must prove negligence.
- General personal-injury damages are uncapped; only medical-malpractice noneconomic damages (~$250k tiers) and punitive damages (CPRC § 41.008) are capped.
- A defendant found more than 50% at fault can be held jointly and severally liable for the entire judgment (CPRC § 33.013).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is my Texas injury claim worth?
No one can tell you a number in advance. A rough estimate adds your economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) and applies a pain-and-suffering multiplier, then adjusts for fault under Texas's modified comparative negligence (51% bar) rule. The real value depends on the facts, the insurance available, and negotiation — an attorney is the only way to value your specific case.
Does my own fault reduce my Texas settlement?
Yes. Texas uses "proportionate responsibility" under Civil Practice & Remedies Code Ch. 33. Section 33.001 bars recovery only if the claimant's "percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent" — i.e., a plaintiff who is 50% or less at fault still recovers (damages reduced by their fault share), but a plaintiff who is 51%+ at fault recovers nothing. This is the modified-comparative "51% bar." A defendant found more than 50% responsible can be jointly and severally liable for the whole judgment (§ 33.013).
How long do I have to file in Texas?
Generally 2 years from the injury. Two years from the date the cause of action accrues, under Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003(a). Wrongful-death claims also run two years, accruing on the date of death (§ 16.003(b)). Note narrow exceptions/tolling (e.g., minors, discovery rule, and special periods under §§ 16.0031/16.0045). Med-mal has its own 2-year period under § 74.251.
Is this calculator accurate?
It is a rough estimate to show the factors that drive value — not a prediction or an offer. Real settlements vary enormously. Treat any number here as a ballpark and consult a Texas personal-injury attorney.
Disclaimer
This estimator is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice or a prediction of any outcome. RecordingLaw.com is not a law firm. The value of a personal-injury claim can only be assessed by a licensed attorney reviewing your specific facts.