When Home Visits Turn Dangerous: Dog Bites, Delivery Drivers, and Your Rights in Chicago  

The holidays should be about family, celebrations, and giving – not emergency rooms, infection scares, and insurance calls. Yet every December, dog bite incidents spike as more people come to the door: delivery drivers, postal workers, party guests, and visiting relatives.

If you were bitten or attacked by a dog this holiday season, you are not alone – and you are not overreacting by being worried, in pain, or confused about what to do next. The data show that dog bites are a serious and growing problem in Illinois, especially in Chicago.

This post uses findings from Briskman Briskman & Greenberg’s study, “Postal Worker Dog Bites: How Chicago Compares to Every Major U.S. City,” together with national data, to explain:

• Why dog bites are rising  
• Why the holidays are a high‑risk time  
• What your medical and legal options look like if you’ve been bitten  
• How our firm helps victims – whether you’re a postal worker, delivery driver, guest, neighbor, or passerby  

Dog Bites Are Rising. Is Chicago, Illinois a Hot Spot for Dog Attacks?

The USPS tracks every dog bite incident involving its letter carriers and publishes annual rankings by city and state. Because postal workers visit nearly every home, their data gives a rare, reliable window into dog bite risk in everyday neighborhoods.

Key findings from the firm’s report and related data:

• Illinois recorded the highest year-over-year increase in postal worker dog bite attacks in the country from 2022 to 2023, according to USPS data, a 29% jump that outpaced every other state. Illinois also consistently ranks among the top states nationally for total dog bite incidents on postal workers.
• Postal workers face hundreds of dog attacks nationwide every year. The USPS’s National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign reports thousands of bites annually, with Chicago consistently ranking among the top cities for carrier attacks.  
• Chicago recorded 48 animal attacks on carriers in 2023, ranking it among the top three cities nationally for USPS dog attacks, according to the USPS annual dog bite rankings. 
• Among children in the U.S., mordeduras de perro are consistently one of the leading causes of non-fatal emergency room visits, ranking second among common childhood injury causes for ER visits.

When a dog bites you, you’re not dealing with a “minor” incident. You’re part of a growing public‑safety problem that disproportionately affects ordinary people just doing their jobs or visiting friends and family.

Why Dog Bites Surge Around the Holidays  

The firm’s dog bite report focuses on postal workers, but the same risk factors that harm carriers also come together in December:

• More foot traffic at the door. USPS carriers, Amazon, UPS, FedEx, food delivery, ride‑share drivers, and guests all approach front doors more often during the holidays. Each knock or ring is a potential trigger.
• Stressed, overstimulated dogs. New people, noise, parties, decorations, and changes in routine can make even normally calm dogs anxious or territorial. A stressed dog is more likely to lunge, nip, or bite.
• Crowded homes and children. Kids are statistically at higher risk of severe dog bite injuries. During December, children and pets often share tight spaces with reduced supervision, especially at gatherings.
• Cold weather and bundled clothing. In Chicago winters, heavier clothing can mask early warning signs like skin reddening or swelling after a bite – and icy steps or sidewalks can turn a bite into a fall, multiplying injuries.

The bottom line: the same conditions that cause postal worker dog attacks, frequent door approaches, unfamiliar visitors, and protective dogs, are amplified in December for everyone, not just carriers.

*Disclaimer: Viewing this content does not create a lawyer-client relationship. This blog is for educational and informational purposes only.

The Hidden Costs Associated With Dog Bites 

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg’s study highlights that postal workers and other victims face more than just the initial pain of a bite. In Illinois, the true cost of a dog attack can be substantial:

• Facturas médicas. Even “minor” bites often require professional cleaning, stitches, antibiotics, and sometimes rabies prophylaxis. Infections can set in quickly. Nationwide, dog bites contribute to millions of dollars in medical spending each year.
• Lost wages and disruption. Postal carriers and delivery drivers who are bitten frequently miss workdays. The same is true for other workers: if your job involves driving, standing, lifting, or using your hands, a dog bite can sideline you.
• Long‑term scarring and disability. Deep bites to the face, hands, or legs can leave permanent scars, nerve damage, or limited movement, especially concerning for children and people in physically demanding jobs.
• Emotional trauma. Many victims experience ongoing anxiety around dogs, nightmares, or panic when they approach homes or yards. For postal workers and delivery drivers who must return to these environments daily, that stress is constant.

The firm’s report underscores that, as dog bite numbers rise, the economic and emotional burden on victims is rising with them, particularly in cities like Chicago that appear high on USPS dog bite rankings.

Illinois Dog Bite Law Is on Your Side  

If you were bitten in Illinois, whether while working or simply visiting someone’s home, you have rights. Under Illinois law (the state’s “animal control” statute), a dog owner is usually liable when their dog attacks and injures someone who:

• Was lawfully on the property (postal workers, delivery drivers, invited guests, tenants, neighbors, etc.), and  
• Did not provoke the dog  

You generally do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous or had bitten before. For postal workers and other delivery drivers, this is critical:

• Carriers are on the property lawfully, performing their jobs.  
• Many bites occur without any provocation, as the carrier is simply approaching a door or mailbox.

This means that if you were bitten while delivering or receiving mail or packages in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)  
• Pérdida de ingresos  
• Dolor y sufrimiento  
• Cicatrices y desfiguración  
• Loss of normal life or function  

Indemnización de los trabajadores may also apply if you were injured on the job, but it does not necessarily replace a claim against the dog’s owner. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg routinely handles both types of claims and can coordinate them to maximize your recovery.

What To Do Immediately After a Dog Bite  

In the chaos after a bite, especially during a busy holiday visit or delivery route, it is easy to downplay what happened. The study’s statistics show that many postal workers and other victims continue working despite injuries, which can lead to complications.

If you are bitten or attacked by a dog:

1. Get medical care right away. 

• Clean the wound thoroughly.  
• See a doctor or urgent care, even if the bite looks “small.”  
• Watch for signs of infection: redness, warmth, swelling, pus, and fever.

2. Informar del incidente.  

• Postal workers should follow USPS reporting procedures.  
• Other victims should report to local animal control or police.  
• Reporting helps document the attack and can prevent future bites.

3. Identify the dog and the owner.  

• Get names, addresses, and contact details.  
• Note any “Beware of Dog” signs, broken gates, or loose leashes.

4. Document everything. 

• Take photos of your injuries, torn clothing, the property layout, and the dog if safely possible.  
• Keep copies of medical records, bills, and any work restrictions.

Speak to an attorney before giving detailed statements to insurers. Dog owners’ insurance carriers may try to minimize your injuries or claim you provoked the dog. A lawyer can communicate with them on your behalf and protect your rights.

How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Can Help Dog Attack Victims  

The firm that authored the postal worker dog bite report does more than collect statistics. They use this data in real cases to show:

• Chicago and Illinois have a documented pattern of rising dog bites.  
• Postal carriers, delivery drivers, and other visitors face predictable risks when dog owners fail to control their animals.  

Victims suffer real, measurable losses, physically, emotionally, and financially. When you contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg after a dog bite, the team can:

• Analyze your case under Illinois’ dog bite and premises liability laws.  
• Determine all potential sources of compensation (homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, workers’ compensation, third‑party claims).  
• Use data from their postal worker study to counter arguments that your attack was an unforeseeable “freak accident.”  
• Handle all communication with insurers so you can focus on healing.  

You pay no upfront fees. The firm only gets paid if they recover compensation for you.

You Don’t Have To Go Through This Alone  

A dog bite can turn a happy December visit, a simple delivery route, or an ordinary day at work into months of medical appointments, anxiety, and financial worry. The USPS bite statistics and the firm’s study make one thing clear: You are not the only one this has happened to, and you are not expected to handle it by yourself.

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg ofrece un free consultation to dog bite victims, including postal workers, other delivery drivers, and private individuals. You can discuss what happened, get your questions answered, and learn your legal options with no obligation.

You do not have to choose between your health and your financial stability. If a dog owner’s negligence caused your injuries, Illinois law allows you to seek compensation, and the firm is ready to help you pursue it.

Contacto Briskman Briskman & Greenberg today for a free dog bite case evaluation.