Hawaii applies the strict liability to dog-bite cases.
Authority: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 663-9. Filing deadline: 2 years from the date of injury under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-7.
How Hawaii dog-bite liability works
Hawaii dog-bite law allocates responsibility between dog owners and victims. The rule the state has chosen , strict liability, "one bite," or a hybrid , determines whether a bite victim has to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
Hawaii imposes strict liability on dog owners. Under the statute (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 663-9), the owner is liable for injuries the dog inflicts on a person in a public place , or lawfully in a private place , regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous and regardless of any prior bites. The victim must only prove the bite occurred and the resulting damages.
Damages in a Hawaii dog-bite case
Recoverable damages in a Hawaii dog-bite case typically include the cost of emergency care, follow-up surgeries (scar revision, plastic surgery, sometimes nerve repair), psychological therapy, and pain and suffering. Pediatric facial-bite cases tend to drive the highest verdicts because of the long-term cosmetic and emotional impact.
Insurance coverage for Hawaii dog-bite claims
Most dog-bite claims in Hawaii are paid by the dog owner's homeowners' or renters' insurance. Insurers Average payout per claim has trended upward as medical costs and emotional-distress awards have grown. Plaintiffs' counsel verifies coverage early and identifies any breed-exclusion endorsements.
Evidence preservation in a Hawaii dog-bite case
Building a winning Hawaii case starts with documentation. The most successful plaintiffs are those who, within the first 72 hours, take photographs of every visible injury, save every emergency-room discharge document, write a contemporaneous narrative of the incident, and identify every potential witness. The Hawaii rules of evidence reward contemporaneous documentation , a written note made the day of the incident carries far more weight at trial than a recollection three years later.
How long does a Hawaii dog-bite case take to settle?
The settlement timeline in Hawaii is driven by three factors: treatment duration, liability strength, and the at-fault carrier's historical practice. State Farm and Allstate cases in Hawaii routinely settle 30-60 days after a demand package is submitted; GEICO and Progressive cases often take longer because of their reserve-setting protocols. Cases involving Berkshire-owned carriers (GEICO) or self-insured fleet defendants typically require litigation filing to break the settlement deadlock.
Common Hawaii dog-bite case scenarios
A common Hawaii scenario involves a slip-and-fall at a chain retailer where the defendant initially denies liability based on the "open and obvious" defense. The plaintiff's case is built through surveillance-video preservation letters (sent within seven days of the fall), photographs of the unsafe condition before it is repaired, witness statements from store employees, and Hawaii's premises-liability case law on the storekeeper's duty of care. Cases that look unwinnable based on initial police-report-style summaries often resolve at six- or seven-figure values once a complete record is built.
Mistakes that reduce Hawaii dog-bite case value
The most common mistakes Hawaii injury plaintiffs make are: (1) giving a recorded statement to the at-fault carrier without counsel, (2) signing medical authorizations that are broader than the case requires, (3) settling the property-damage claim and not realizing it can affect the bodily-injury claim, (4) waiting too long to seek treatment (creating "gap-in-treatment" arguments for the defense), and (5) posting about the incident or their injuries on social media. Each of these can substantially reduce settlement value.
Defenses a Hawaii dog owner can raise
Common defenses include trespass (the victim was unlawfully on the property), provocation (the victim teased, hit, or otherwise antagonized the dog), and assumption of risk (the victim was a veterinarian, dog groomer, or other professional handling the dog in their work capacity). Under Hawaii's comparative-fault rule, provocation reduces (but rarely eliminates) recovery in proportion to the victim's fault.
Hawaii dog-bite FAQ
Is Hawaii a strict-liability state for dog bites?
Yes , Hawaii imposes strict liability under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 663-9. The owner is liable regardless of prior knowledge of dangerousness.
Can I sue if the dog had never bitten anyone before?
Yes. Under Hawaii's strict-liability rule, prior bite history is not required for liability.
How long do I have to file a Hawaii dog-bite lawsuit?
2 years from the date of the bite, under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-7. Minors generally have until they reach majority plus the standard SOL period.
Does homeowners\' insurance cover dog bites in Hawaii?
Typically yes, but many policies exclude specific breeds (pit-bull types, Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds) or require breed-specific riders. Renters\' policies and umbrella policies frequently provide additional coverage layers. Hawaii insurance law does not require breed-neutral coverage.
What damages are recoverable in a Hawaii dog-bite case?
Medical bills (including reconstructive surgery), psychological treatment for PTSD or animal phobia, lost wages, pain and suffering, and (in egregious cases) punitive damages. Pediatric facial-bite cases typically drive the highest verdicts because of long-term cosmetic and emotional impact.
Related Hawaii topics
Sources
- Hawaii dog-bite rule: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 663-9.
- Personal-injury SOL: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-7.
- Comparative-fault rule: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 663-31.
Last verified against primary sources on 2026-05-16.