Chicago UPS Driver Dog Bite Attorney

Experienced Chicago Injury Lawyers Help UPS Drivers After a Dog Bite Injury

Chicago residents and businesses rely on UPS drivers to move packages quickly and efficiently. Many UPS drivers have the skills to meet this demand. 

When an UPS driver encounters an aggressive dog, however, the situation changes quickly. The driver may not have time to spot the dog or prevent the attack. The UPS delivery driver may suffer serious injuries. 

If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a dog attack, don’t wait. Talk to an experienced Chicago UPS driver dog bite injury lawyer today. The team at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg can answer your questions and help you fight for compensation. 

Package Delivery Driver Dog Bite Statistics

Approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About 885,000 people need medical care for a dog bite. Just under half, or about 370,000, need emergency room treatment. About sixteen people die in the US each year due to dog attacks.

The US Postal Service (USPS) tracks dog bite statistics among postal workers. In 2024, the USPS ranked Chicago the third most dangerous city in the US for postal workers facing dog bites. In 2023, Chicago postal workers reported 48 dog bites – more than any other major US city except Houston, Texas (56 bites) and Los Angeles, California (65). 

The USPS does not collect statistics on injuries to other delivery drivers like UPS workers. However, its information illustrates the risk that delivery workers face, no matter which employer they represent. 

Dog bites can be expensive. One study estimates that emergency room visits for dog bite injuries cost the US healthcare system $120 million annually. Other costs, like outpatient medical care and lost wages, raise the estimate to $250 million or more each year. 

These costs are not spread evenly among the US population, however. Rather, those who suffer dog bite injuries often face hefty medical bills, substantial lost wages, and other losses. An experienced attorney can help you recover compensation for these losses. 

Risks UPS Drivers May Face When Delivering Packages To Chicago Homes

Injury from animals is more common in some industries than others. Package delivery ranks among the top ten industries in which workers are most likely to be injured by animals in the US. A study of workplace animal injuries internationally found that package delivery drivers ranked in the top four jobs where workers were most likely to be injured by animals. 

One study found that many employers offer workers advice or training on protecting themselves from dog bites and similar injuries. However, researchers noted that the training often focused on scenarios that managers expected rather than on scenarios that delivery drivers actually faced. The discrepancy between the training focus and real-world conditions left some delivery drivers unprepared for the realities of a dog attack. If you are a part-time or full time delivery driver for UPS, you may be entitled to compensation for your serious facial, arm, leg, or other injury. 

What Are The Chances of Sustaining A Dog Bite Injury During A UPS Delivery?

Dogs are the second most common animal that causes non-fatal injuries to US workers, after insects. Approximately 30,000 people need reconstructive surgery for dog bite injuries each year, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

One study of animal attacks in the workplace found that between 2015 and 2021, 60 percent of animal-related workplace injuries were inflicted by mammals, including dogs. Over 67 percent of these incidents resulted in serious injuries.

Bites are not the only way dogs can injure UPS workers. A worker knocked over by a dog can also suffer injuries. These injuries may occur from the impact of the dog or from the worker hitting the ground or another object. A dog’s nails can also cause scratches or other lacerations. 

Postal Employee Dog Bite Injuries Infographic

3 Common Consequences of Dog Bite Injuries

The most common consequences of dog bite injuries include infections, pain, and scarring. Other injuries can occur as well. Lost time from work, fear, and anxiety are also common aftereffects of a dog bite injury.

1. Infection

Infections are a common result of dog bite injuries. A dog’s mouth carries many types of bacteria, which can be transferred to the human body through the deep puncture wounds of a severe bite. 

Serious infections occur in about 16 percent of dog bite cases. For some patients, the infection spreads through the body. This condition, called “sepsis,” can be difficult and expensive to treat. 

2. Pain

Dog bites can cause significant pain. The piercing action of a dog’s teeth, the force of its jaw clamping around a body part, and the tearing of skin via a dog’s teeth or nails can all cause acute pain. Nerve damage or other tissue damage can cause ongoing pain even after the initial wound heals.

Pain management is a common part of treatment after a dog bite or dog attack injury. Ongoing pain can cause lingering problems with motor function, making it harder to do one’s job effectively. 

3. Scarring

Dog bites frequently cause scarring. Dog bite wounds often have jagged, irregular edges due to the puncturing and tearing action of a dog’s teeth. It is difficult even for a skilled surgeon to match these edges together cleanly to minimize or prevent scarring.

While the appearance of a scar can change over time, its presence is typically permanent. Scarring and disfigurement can cause ongoing issues with pain, mobility, and mental and emotional anguish.

Other Serious Injuries from Dog Attacks

Dog bites account for 90 percent of all animal attack injuries treated in US emergency rooms. The number of people who need inpatient hospital care after a dog bite or injury has also increased in recent decades.

Other serious injuries from a dog attack can include broken bones and head or spine trauma. These injuries are more likely when a dog knocks a UPS driver down during an attack. These injuries may also require emergency room or inpatient hospital care to treat. 

Seeking Compensation After a Dog Bite in Chicago 

UPS works with both employees and independent contractors. While UPS focuses on employment, the company may bring in temporary or contract workers during rush seasons.

Employees can typically seek workers’ compensation if they suffer a dog bite injury during a work-related event, such as delivering ordered packages. Independent contractors will not have access to workers’ compensation benefits. However, both contractors and employees may seek compensation from the dog’s owner or another negligent party if their actions caused or contributed to the injury. 

If you work for UPS in Palatine, Springfield, Ozark, North Chicago, Chicago Heights, and other Illinois locations, you have legal rights and do not have to face the aftermath of an unexpected dog bite alone. Contact our firm today to get started on your recovery process and hold those responsible for your injuries accountable. 

How Workers’ Compensation Applies After a Chicago Dog Bite Injury

Workers’ compensation provides benefits to employees who suffer a work-related injury or occupational illness. Workers’ compensation benefits are paid regardless of who was at fault for the injury. 

In Illinois, workers’ compensation provides benefits for several types of loss, including:

• Medical costs for treating your work-related dog bite injury,
• Disability benefits help compensate you for time away from work to heal or if you cannot return to your usual work after an injury. These benefits come in various types to cover various situations. An attorney can help you determine which benefits apply in your situation. 
• Vocational rehabilitation if you need rehab to help you recover from your injuries. 
• Death benefits for surviving family members if your injuries prove fatal. 

If you’re injured by a dog, notify your supervisor as soon as possible. Your supervisor can provide information, including information for medical providers and necessary paperwork. If you experience delays or denial of your claim, talk to an experienced Chicago work-related dog bite injury lawyer.

Seeking Compensation From An Owner of an Aggressive Dog

Illinois is a “strict liability” dog bite state. A dog owner may be held liable even if the dog has not acted aggressively in the past. 

In Illinois, dog owners must use reasonable care to restrain their dogs from harming others. For example, a dog owner must keep the dog in the house or yard. Many places in Illinois have leash laws as well. If a dog harms someone who has the legal right to be present, the dog’s owner can be held liable.

UPS and other package delivery workers typically have a legal right to approach a house to drop off a package. If the delivery person suffers a dog bite or another injury, the delivery person may file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner.

A lawsuit can help you recover compensation for losses that workers’ compensation doesn’t cover. An injured driver can file a lawsuit whether they are an employee or an independent contractor working for UPS or another company. 

Speak To An Experienced Chicago UPS Driver Dog Bite Injury Attorney Today

Dog bite injuries can be severe, painful, and terrifying. The situation becomes more difficult when your injury prevents you from working and supporting your family.

Speak to a dedicated Chicago dog bite injury attorney today. The team at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg has experience handling dog bite claims on behalf of UPS and other delivery drivers. Our attorneys will help you secure the compensation you need so that you can focus on healing. To learn more, contact our office today to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation.