The latest data from USPS reveals more than 5,400 dog bites on postal workers in the U.S. occurred in 2021. Philadelphia ranked 10th out of all U.S. cities for dog bite claims. Reports from other delivery companies, including Amazon and food delivery service providers, show a rise in dog bites on delivery drivers in recent years. As a driver, these incidents impact your ability to work and may also require costly medical treatments.
You require legal protection when you’re bitten by a dog while working. So, let’s explore the steps you can take after a dog bite injury.
The Steps To Take After a Dog Bite Injury at Work
After a dog bite at work, you may have a workers’ compensation claim and so to protect your rights to workers’ compensation, follow these steps:
Notify your employer
Notify your employer about the bite as soon as possible. They can then begin the paperwork for the claim using the details you provide. When notifying your employer, provide the circumstances for the attack. For example, was the dog running free within the home? What actions did you and the owner take when the dog bit you?
Request an injury report
Your employer will complete an injury report detailing each element of your case. This report will be crucial evidence for your dog bite lawyer and legal support team in any forthcoming legal action.
Get Bite Treatment
Next, seek treatment for the dog bite and undergo analysis from a healthcare professional. While you might not believe you need medical treatment, the bite location could become infected over time, causing long-term health issues. The dog may also have diseases such as rabies. And so you should book a rabies shot as soon as possible.
Find Out If the Bite Prevents You from Working
If the bite injury is severe, you may be unable to work for several days. For example, the data shows many dog bites are on the arms and face. Injuries to the arms and around the eyes may prevent you from safely driving your work vehicle.
Detail your injuries and the healthcare professional’s report to your employer. If your doctor recommends you take time off work, follow their orders precisely to protect your rights to dog bite compensation.
Discuss Your Legal Options with a Lawyer
In addition to your workers’ compensation claim, you may also have a personal injury claim against the dog’s owner for your injuries. Book a consultation with a local dog bite attorney to determine whether there’s a case to pursue and how best to ensure a fair settlement for the impact of the bite injury.
What If I Was Working a Side Gig in the Home?
Gig workers, such as a handyman or pet sitter, may not have comprehensive workers’ compensation insurance. You may have been inside a home working a side gig. Or you might have been helping a friend in need. In these circumstances, you have legal recourse through Pennsylvania’s dog bite laws.
A Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You Negotiate and Recover Compensation
While your workers’ compensation claim will help you recover losses related to medical care and loss of work, a dog bite injury lawyer can help recover fair compensation for non-economic damages.
Your dog bite lawyer will help you with:
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Pain and suffering
If you’re still experiencing significant pain, you may be unable to enjoy your everyday routine or spend time with family and friends. Your dog bite lawyer will evaluate your claim and determine whether you’re due compensation for your pain and suffering.
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Emotional impact
After a dog bite, you may fear going into a new home or be worried about going to a park where you might encounter off-leash animals. Your dog bite lawyer can help connect you with a psychologist to determine the emotional impact of the dog bite. Your lawyer can then use the psychological evidence to help support your compensation claim.
Turn to Jeffrey Penneys After Dog Bites on Delivery Drivers
If you were bitten while working, you have the right to fair compensation. Jeffrey Penneys works with dog bite victims and their families to evaluate their claims and ensure they settle dog bite cases fairly with the responsible parties. He has decades of experience negotiating injury compensation with insurance firms and will be your firm advocate throughout your bite case.
Ready to fight for your dog bite rights? Give Jeffrey Penneys a call now to book a free case review.