Millions of Americans are bitten by a dog each year, and many victims are bitten while on the job.
Postal carriers, meter readers, landscapers, delivery employees, and home-maintenance workers are just a few examples of people whose jobs more frequently lead to canine encounters.
If you’re bitten or knocked down by a dog while working, you’re entitled to workers’ compensation through your employer. Workers’ compensation covers medical bills, two-thirds (66.67%) of your regular paycheck, permanent impairment and sometimes costs for rehabilitation and retraining.
In addition, you can file a personal injury claim against the dog’s owner. A personal injury claim will cover additional damages that aren’t covered by workers’ compensation, such as your pain and suffering, emotional distress, scars and disfigurement and loss of enjoyment of life.
A dog owner can be subject to strictly liability in Maryland if the dog was at large or if the owner cannot prove he or she did not know or could not have known that the dog had vicious tendencies.
A dog owner can also be liable to pay damages based on the owner’s negligence in failing to exercise reasonable care to prevent the dog attack.
Homeowners' insurance and renters' insurance often cover the personal injury claim, even those that do not happen on the dog owner's property.
If you're injured by a dog in the course of your employment, report the incident to your employer and request immediate medical attention.
Whether you’re injured at work or on your own time, contact us immediately to secure all the compensation you deserve.
Dedicated to advancing and protecting your rights,
Rick Lundin