Average Settlements for Assault Cases in 2026


We analyzed average settlement amounts for assault cases in 2026 to create a dataset based on key factors such as assault type.

In the U.S., assault settlements in 2026 ranged from $35,000 to over $2.5 million, depending on several variables. The most influential factors include the type of assault, severity of injuries, expected medical expenses, and how clearly liability can be established. Settlement amounts can vary significantly depending on these and other circumstances.

Key Findings:

  • Assault settlements in 2026 range from $35,000 to over $2.5 million, depending on assault type, injury severity, and the strength of liability.

  • Sexual assault cases carry the highest average settlement values of any assault type, ranging from $250,000 to $3,000,000+.

  • Cases with clear and undisputed liability, supported by video evidence, police reports, and medical documentation, settle for $125,000 to $2,500,000+.

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are the highest-value physical injury category in assault cases, with settlements ranging from $125,000 to $1,200,000+.

  • PTSD is the most significant psychological injury in assault cases, with average settlements ranging from $125,000 to $600,000+.

Disclosure: The settlement ranges and case outcome information provided on this website are for general informational purposes only. All data has been compiled from publicly available sources, industry research, and third-party reporting. This information is not based on the outcomes of cases handled by our firm and should not be interpreted as a promise or guarantee of any specific result in your case.

Please note: This page discusses assault-related settlements for informational purposes only. Eric Richman, Esq. represents victims in negligent security cases and does not accept direct assault, sexual assault, domestic violence, or other crime-victim cases.

Average Assault Settlement by Assault Type

The following table breaks down the most common assault types and what the average settlement amount is for each, based on the severity and classification of the crime.

Assault Type Severity Crime Classification Average National Settlement Amount
Verbal Assault Low Misdemeanor or Infraction $35,000 – $155,000
Domestic Assault Moderate to High Misdemeanor or Felony $55,000 – $175,000
Assault With a Deadly Weapon High Felony $100,000 – $500,000
Aggravated Assault High to Extremely High Felony $275,000 – $1,200,000
Sexual Assault Extremely High Felony $250,000 – $3,000,000+

The greater the potential for injury during the assault, the higher the average settlement. There is a strong correlation between the severity of injuries sustained and the final settlement amount.

Key Takeaways:

  • Even verbal assault, the lowest severity category, can yield settlements of up to $155,000.

  • Sexual assault settlements reach nearly 20x the ceiling of verbal assault cases at the high end.

  • The jump from domestic assault to assault with a deadly weapon represents a potential ceiling increase of over $325,000.

  • Aggravated assault and sexual assault are the only categories where settlements routinely reach or exceed seven figures.

Average Assault Settlement by Injuries Sustained

An assault that results in bruises or trouble sleeping can expect a much lower settlement amount than an assault that leaves the victim struggling with internal injuries or PTSD.

The following table breaks down the most common injuries victims typically suffer as a result of an assault and compiles the average settlement amount for each, based on the severity of the injury, as we expected.

Physical Injuries

Injury Type Severity of Injury Average National Settlement Amount
Bruises & Contusions Mild to Moderate $5,000 – $50,000
Broken Bones Moderate to High $20,000 – $225,000
Internal Injuries High $75,000 – $500,000
Head Injuries (TBI) Very High $125,000 – $1,200,000+

Psychological & Emotional Injuries

Injury Type Severity of Injury Average National Settlement Amount
Sleep Disorders / Nightmares Mild to Moderate $10,000 – $30,000
Fear, Hypervigilance & Trust Issues Moderate $30,000 – $75,000
Anxiety & Depression High $50,000 – $120,000
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) Very High $125,000 – $600,000+

It’s important to note that both physical and psychological injuries resulting from assaults can cause long-lasting impacts to the victim and are both worth pursuing.

Average Assault Settlement by Liability

In addition to the assault type and injuries sustained as a result, clear and undisputed liability is one of the most important factors in determining the outcome of an assault case.

Liability is not always black and white, often varying between clear and unclear liability, based on several factors surrounding the case, witnesses, evidence, medical records, and more. How clear or unclear the liability of the assault is makes a strong impact on the average settlement amount. This is evident as seen in the data in the table below:

Liability Description Average National Settlement Amount
Clear & Undisputed Liability Video Evidence
Eye Witnesses
Police Reports
Medical Documentation
Defendant Admission		 $125,000 – $2,500,000+
Substantiated Liability Strong Medical Evidence
Strong Circumstantial Evidence
No Direct Video Evidence		 $75,000 – $200,000
Disputed Liability Conflicting accounts
No Eye Witnesses
Self-Defense Claim		 $10,000 – $75,000
Unclear or Weak Liability Delayed reporting by victim
Defendant denies that the assault happened at all
No witnesses or physical evidence		 $0 – $15,000

Key Takeaways:

  • The gap between clear and disputed liability at the ceiling is over $2.4 million, making liability clarity the single biggest lever in settlement value.

  • Cases with disputed liability top out at just $75,000, meaning even serious injuries may recover far less when accounts conflict or a self-defense claim is raised.

  • Weak or unclear liability can result in zero recovery, regardless of how severe the injuries are.

  • Video evidence, police reports, and medical documentation together represent the strongest combination of factors for maximizing a settlement.

Top Legal Representation for Assault Victims

Eric Richman, Esq. has over 25 years of experience in personal injury law and has dedicated his career to fighting for assault victims and their families. We know how overwhelming it can be to deal with the long-lasting impacts of an assault, and are here to make the legal process as simple and pain-free for our clients as possible.

Call us at (800) 801-9655 or request a free consultation online.

Important Notice: Eric Richman, Esq. and Richman Law Firm do not handle direct assault, sexual assault, domestic violence, or other crime-victim claims described on this page. The firm handles negligent security cases, including cases involving injuries caused by inadequate security at apartments, hotels, businesses, parking lots, and other properties. The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not indicate that the firm handles these types of claims or that any particular result can be expected. If your case does not involve a negligent security claim, we may be unable to represent you.

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