Can Postal Carriers Seek Compensation After a Dog Bite Attack? 

 Posted on June 25, 2020 in Personal Injury

Dogs can be some of the most friendly, giving, and loving companions. They can be there by your side on your worst and best of days. However, there are times when dogs can be provoked or have continual behavior issues that cause them to be aggressive and lash out at whoever is around. In many cases, the individuals who are most prone to dog attacks are postal service carriers trying to deliver mail. Although this may seem like a cliche, it exists for a reason. According to the United States Postal Service (USPS), over 5,800 postal carriers were victims of dog attacks in 2019. Under children and the elderly, they are third on the list of the highest number of dog attack victims. This makes delivering mail a potentially dangerous job due to the vast amount of houses they visit each day, many of which will have a pet. Dog bites can be serious, causing not only severe physical injuries but emotional and mental damages as well.

Physical Damage

There is no denying that dogs have very sharp teeth. They can use them to bite down into hard-as-rock bones and chew through their favorite toys. These same teeth can cause massive damage to the human body. If severe enough, bites can lead to stitches, hospitalization, nerve damage, and in some cases, amputation. The pain and physical suffering may linger long after the initial bite. Victims of a dog attack may require extensive rehabilitation or physical therapy to overcome their injuries. 

Emotional Trauma

Getting bitten by a dog can be a traumatic experience, and can lead to emotional and mental distress that can take years of therapy to work through. Traumas such as these can live in the body and make it difficult to move forward in life. Experiences like this may affect a victim’s everyday living, ability to be near dogs, and feelings of security while performing his or her job. According to Illinois law, if a dog or other animal attacks someone without provocation and the victim sustains injuries, the owner is liable for civil damages. Unfortunately, someone who is simply trying to do his or her job by delivering mail to the community can be susceptible to such an attack when going from door to door.

Contact a Joliet Personal Injury Lawyer

The antagonistic relationship between postal carriers and family dogs may not be as fictitious as it sounds. Statistics show that these community-based employees are prone to being attacked by dogs while doing their job. The legal team at McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC has worked with a number of Illinois clients who have suffered injuries from a family pet. Animal attacks should be taken seriously since injuries can lead to medical bills, time away from work, and emotional damage. If you are a USPS carrier who has been bitten by a dog, we are here to help make sure you receive the compensation you need and deserve. Call our accomplished Will County dog attack attorneys at 815-727-0100 for a free consultation.

Sources:
https://about.usps.com/what/corporate-social-responsibility/activities/dog-bite-awareness.htm
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=051000050K16