Every June the USPS reminds the public of the growing danger facing mail carriers with its Dog Bite Awareness Campaign. The focus this year is on how important it is to secure pets during delivery times to protect both pets and delivery workers.
USPS data show more than 6,000 dog related attacks on mail carriers were reported in 2024. California had the highest number of reported incidents at 701, with Los Angeles city alone reporting 77 attacks, more than any other city in the country.
These incidents are not just statistics. Many victims suffer puncture wounds, permanent scarring, emotional trauma, or disabling orthopedic injuries after being bitten, chased, or knocked down by dogs.
USPS urges homeowners to secure their pets using leashes, gates, or keeping dogs indoors. They also recommend avoiding letting children answer the door for deliveries. As a community everyone plays a role in keeping delivery workers safe.
What Rights Delivery Workers Have When Attacked
If you work delivering mail or packages and a dog injures you while on the job there may be more than one way to seek compensation. Workers often believe they only have workers compensation but that is often just one part of the solution.
1. Workers Compensation Benefits
Federal employees such as USPS carriers are covered under the Federal Employees Compensation Act for injuries on the job. Other delivery workers working for Amazon, UPS, FedEx, or private courier services typically rely on California’s state workers compensation system. Each system covers medical treatment, partial wage replacement during recovery, and disability benefits if the injury is permanent. However neither system compensates for pain and suffering or emotional distress.
2. Third Party Claims Against Dog Owners or Property Owners
If a private individual or business owns the dog that injured you, you may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit in addition to any workers compensation claim. Such a lawsuit may allow recovery of full medical costs, lost income including future earnings, pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, or permanent scarring.
3. California’s Strict Liability Law for Dog Bites
California’s dog bite law holds dog owners automatically liable for bite injuries when a person lawfully present on the property is bitten. You do not have to prove the dog had previously shown aggression or that the owner knew about its dangerous tendencies. This law can apply to you even if you were only briefly on the property when the attack happened.
4. Non Bite Injuries: Chases, Knocks, or Falls
Some attacks do not involve a bite but happen when a dog lunges, chases, or knocks a delivery worker down causing injury. In those cases you may still have a valid personal injury claim under theories of negligence or premises liability if the property owner failed to control the animal or provide a reasonably safe environment.
How Hillstone Law Can Help
If you have been injured by a dog while delivering mail or packages we can help evaluate your rights beyond workers compensation, identify and pursue third party liability claims, gather evidence, medical records, and property owner’s actions, negotiate with insurance or responsible parties, and work to secure full compensation including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and long term losses.
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Disclaimer: The material provided in these blogs is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Reading these posts does not create, and is not intended to create, an attorney-client relationship with Hillstone Law. Our intent is to share knowledge, raise awareness, and provide helpful resources to the public; however, Hillstone Law makes no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided, and expressly disclaims liability for any actions taken in reliance on it. The photos used in these posts are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict actual clients, individuals, or incidents unless expressly stated. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please contact Hillstone Law at (855) 691-1691. Our attorneys are available to answer your legal questions and help you understand your rights.
