Washington Personal Injury Settlement Calculator
Get a rough estimate of what a Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington's fault rule, because how fault is shared directly changes what you can recover.
Washington's Fault Rule: pure comparative negligence
RCW 4.22.005 provides that contributory fault "diminishes proportionately the amount awarded as compensatory damages... but does not bar recovery." There is no fault-percentage cutoff, so a plaintiff who is 99% at fault can still recover 1% of damages. Washington adopted this pure comparative-fault system by statute in 1981 (and pure comparative negligence in 1973), replacing the old contributory-negligence bar. Liability among multiple defendants is generally several (proportionate), per RCW 4.22.070.
Damage Caps in Washington
No cap on general personal-injury damages. Washington's statutory cap on noneconomic damages (former RCW 4.56.250) was struck down as unconstitutional in Sofie v. Fibreboard Corp., 112 Wn.2d 636 (1989), as violating the right to a jury trial (Wash. Const. art. I, § 21) — so there is NO med-mal or general noneconomic-damages cap. Punitive damages are generally not available in Washington unless expressly authorized by statute.
Dog-Bite Liability in Washington
RCW 16.08.040: the owner of any dog that bites a person who is in/on a public place or lawfully in/on a private place (including the owner's own property) is liable for damages "regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness." This is statutory strict liability — no prior-bite/scienter requirement, so it is NOT a one-bite rule. Exceptions: the victim must be lawful (trespassers are not covered) and the statute does not apply to the lawful application of a police dog (RCW 4.24.410). Washington common-law negligence and scienter claims also remain available alongside the statute.
Deadline to File a Claim in Washington
Washington generally requires a personal-injury lawsuit to be filed within 3 years of the injury (the statute of limitations). RCW 4.16.080(2) sets a 3-year limitations period for "any other injury to the person or rights of another," which Washington courts apply to general negligence/personal-injury claims (car accidents, slip-and-falls, etc.). Note: assault/battery and other intentional-tort claims under RCW 4.16.100 carry a shorter 2-year period, but the standard PI/negligence SOL is 3 years. The discovery rule can delay accrual in some cases. Miss it and your claim is usually barred no matter how strong it is, so do not wait to talk to an attorney.
- Pure comparative fault (RCW 4.22.005): recovery is reduced by the plaintiff's fault percentage but is never barred, even at 99% fault.
- Standard personal-injury/negligence lawsuits must be filed within 3 years (RCW 4.16.080(2)); intentional torts like assault/battery have a 2-year deadline (RCW 4.16.100).
- Dog-bite liability is statutory strict liability (RCW 16.08.040) — owner liable from the first bite regardless of the dog's prior history, if the victim was lawfully present; trespassers and lawful police-dog use are excepted.
- No statutory cap on general personal-injury or noneconomic damages — Washington's med-mal/noneconomic cap was held unconstitutional in Sofie v. Fibreboard (1989).
- Punitive damages are not recoverable in Washington absent specific statutory authorization.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is my Washington 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 Washington's pure comparative negligence 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 Washington settlement?
Yes. RCW 4.22.005 provides that contributory fault "diminishes proportionately the amount awarded as compensatory damages... but does not bar recovery." There is no fault-percentage cutoff, so a plaintiff who is 99% at fault can still recover 1% of damages. Washington adopted this pure comparative-fault system by statute in 1981 (and pure comparative negligence in 1973), replacing the old contributory-negligence bar. Liability among multiple defendants is generally several (proportionate), per RCW 4.22.070.
How long do I have to file in Washington?
Generally 3 years from the injury. RCW 4.16.080(2) sets a 3-year limitations period for "any other injury to the person or rights of another," which Washington courts apply to general negligence/personal-injury claims (car accidents, slip-and-falls, etc.). Note: assault/battery and other intentional-tort claims under RCW 4.16.100 carry a shorter 2-year period, but the standard PI/negligence SOL is 3 years. The discovery rule can delay accrual in some cases.
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 Washington 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.