The Risk of Dog Bites Among Chicago Postal Workers

Due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic increasing the total number of online orders and deliveries, the number of postal workers in Chicago has increased substantially. Necessarily, this resulted in a corresponding increase in the rate of USPS workers who suffered dog bite injuries. In fact, in 2020, more than 5,800 mail carriers were attacked by dogs. A shocking 59 of these attacks—or more than 25 percent—occurred in Chicago, making Chicago the second most dangerous city for mail carriers in terms of dog bite injuries. Illinois as a whole ranked 6th on the USPS list of states with the most postal worker dog bite, with 290 workers experiencing an attack.
Tips for Preventing Dog Bites While Delivering Mail and Packages
The nature of a mail carrier’s job requires they approach homes and businesses, as well as any dogs that are located on-site. Dogs act instinctively to protect their territory, and USPS workers are trained on how to act around dogs to reduce the chances of an attack.
If a dangerous dog approaches a postal worker, they should stand their ground and protect themselves with whatever object they are carrying. Often, mail carriers have satchels they can use to shield themselves from an approaching animal. However, any object, such as a package or jacket, can also work in a pinch.
Additionally, it is important to follow the following tips when a dangerous dog approaches:
1.) Do not startle a dog, as it can trigger the animal’s aggressive instincts.
2.) Do not assume that an animal looks harmless or that you’ve encountered before will not bite;
3.) Do not attempt to pet or feed an unknown dog;
4.) Look in the animal’s general direction, but avoid making direct eye contact with the dog.
Responsible Dog Ownership
While mail carriers can take certain steps to reduce the likelihood of a dog attack, it is not their job to prevent an attack. That burden rests with the animal’s owner.
Unlike many other states, Illinois does not have a “one bite” rule. The one-bite rule provides that a dog bite victim can only recover compensation from an animal’s owner if they can prove that the owner knew their dog was dangerous. Instead, Illinois courts allow dog bite victims to hold animal owners strictly liable for any injuries caused by their dog, regardless of whether the owner was negligent. This also means that there is no requirement to prove that a dog has bitten someone else in the past.
Dog owners can—and should—take certain steps to reduce the chances that their pet will attack a mail carrier.
1.) Owners should not allow their children to give or receive mail from a mail carrier directly, as the family’s dog may perceive the carrier as a threat to the child.
2.) When a mail carrier approaches, dog owners should keep their pets away from the door, either behind a closed door, in the back yard, or on a leash.
3.) Dog owners should sign up for and use Informed Delivery, a free service that provides customers with a preview of the items that will be arriving that day.
Pursing Compensation Following a USPS Dog Attack
Being attacked by a dog results in both physical and psychological injuries, which often have a profound impact on victims’ lives. In Illinois, USPS workers who were attacked by a dog have two years to file a dog bite lawsuit against an animal’s owner.
If you are a USPS worker who was recently bitten or attacked by a dog while on your route, it is imperative that you reach out to an experienced Chicago dog bite lawyer for assistance with your claim. For more than 35 years, the dog bite attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg have advocated on behalf of individuals and families who suffered as a result of others’ negligence—including dog owners. Our dog bite attorneys are compassionate, dedicated advocates who can explain your rights and effectively pursue fair compensation from the party responsible for your injuries. For Details Visit: https://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/practice-areas/chicago-dog-bite-lawyer/