As the gig mindset and economy continue to grow, many residents in California have turned to food delivery services as their primary source of income. These jobs are more desirable after the passage of Prop 22, which requires employers to now cover delivery drivers on their worker’s comp policy to provide assistance in the event of a workplace injury. Tens of thousands of residents now work for Postmates, Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grub Hub services. They can invest as much or as little time as they wish to earn what they need to cover their living expenses as a primary job, earn some extra money to pay bills, build a nest egg, or add to their emergency fund.
With the cost of everything on the rise, you might think that consumers are going to stop ordering food for delivery. However, that is not what recent studies have found. People are more than happy to pay the small delivery fee for a hot and delicious meal so they can keep working or not face the expenses of driving to get their meal. Some even justify not owning a personal vehicle and the cost involved in operating and parking in a large city because they can have their meals delivered as a more cost-effective solution.
As more and more people are working as drivers for the major food delivery services, more is being learned about the pros and cons of these jobs. While most would think that a car accident is the greatest risk these food delivery people face, that is not the case. Instead, the greatest potential for harm comes once the delivery person has exited their vehicle and is walking to the door to deliver the food. At this time, they are typically carrying items and cannot quickly react or protect themselves when a dog approaches in an aggressive manner. The result is typically a dog bite or multiple bites that cause significant harm to the person trying to earn a living.
If you or a loved one works for Postmates, Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grub Hub and recently suffered a dog bite injury while on the job, please know that you are not alone. The hardships and issues you face have become much more common. In addition, you need to understand that there could be multiple ways to resolve many of the financial challenges you face. But you need to contact Normandie Law Firm today to get the information and answers you need. Our office staff can be reached 24/7 and is ready to help you understand your rights and the programs that can provide assistance. In addition, we hope that you will accept our generous offer for a free consultation with a Normandie Law Firm food delivery dog bite injury lawyer to discuss your options and opportunities.
After sharing the facts of the dog bite incident and your injuries, our experts will explain the legal merit of your claim and determine if you have grounds for a dog bite injury lawsuit. They can also answer any questions you have about a worker’s compensation claim and how that process functions. With all of this valuable information and guidance, you can make significant decisions about how to move forward and seek the assistance and compensation you deserve to reduce your losses, expenses, and stress. Please also know that even after attending a free consultation at Normandie Law Firm, you are never obligated to hire our firm, even if you choose to pursue legal action. Our purpose is only to ensure that all dog bite injury victims have the information and resources needed to get the financial help needed to overcome the issues created by their dog bite injuries and avoid unnecessary debt in the future. But please reach out to our staff immediately, as there are time limits for you to take action.
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Who Is Responsible For Dog Bite Injuries?
Many food delivery employees are unaware that California is a strict liability state concerning dog ownership. That means a dog owner is almost always liable for any harm or injuries caused by their dog. It also means that the dog owner is obligated to be in control of the animal at all times. Even if the dog is on a leash and then breaks loose, the owner can be held accountable for the harm the dog causes after running away. The only exceptions are when the dog bite victim is trespassing or if they are harming the dog when it retaliates and bites them. But when you are simply delivering Uber Eats to a house, and the owner’s dog bites you, the owner is completely responsible, and you have the right to sue them for your losses and expenses caused by the dog bite injuries.
What If I Get Bit By A Stray Dog Delivering Food For Grub Hub?
The situation gets more complicated when you suffer a bite from a stray dog. Not only is it difficult to locate an owner to hold accountable, but you can also face added health concerns due to the increased potential for the dog to carry rabies or other diseases. In these cases, it is best to ensure you get some help covering the cost of your medical bills and other losses by opening a worker’s compensation claim. This is certain to provide you with some help without limiting your ability to file a lawsuit later if you can locate the dog’s owner.
How Do I Know If I Am Covered By Worker’s Comp?
Thanks to Prop 22, all food delivery drivers in California are now covered under their employer’s worker’s comp injury insurance policy. All employers in the state are legally obligated to participate in the program and pay all fees required to ensure full coverage for their workers. As long as you work as a food delivery person when you suffer a dog bite, you can open a claim with worker’s compensation to help cover your expenses and losses.
What Help Does Worker’s Comp Provide?
When you are hurt on the job, worker’s comp will pay up to $1M in medical expenses for the care of your workplace injuries. In most cases, the medical care provider will bill their services directly to the program, and you never need to pay any deductible or copay. The program will also reimburse you for up to 66% of your regular weekly income to help pay your living expenses if you cannot work due to the dog bite injuries. In cases that involve severe harm and could result in permanent disabilities, the program offers extended compensation and free vocational training as needed by the dog bite victim.
What Is The Average Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit Worth?
As a victim of a dog bite, you could opt to sue the dog owner for the losses and expenses you incurred because they failed to control their animal and stop it from hurting you. If you are not opening a claim with worker’s comp, you can include all of your allowable expenses in the compensation demand for your lawsuit. The items used to calculate your compensation will often include but are not strictly limited to:
- All current and future medical expenses related to your treatment and rehabilitation of the dog bite injuries
- The cost of legal services to prepare, file, and litigate your dog bite injury lawsuit
- The replacement cost of any personal property that was damaged or destroyed in the dog bite injury incident
- Your lost income if the dog bite injuries prevented you from returning to your job delivering food until you made a complete recovery
- If your dog bite injuries were severe, you can also seek added compensation for your pain and suffering
Keep in mind that if you open a worker’s comp case and use those benefits to pay your medical expenses and part of your lost income, you can still file a lawsuit against the dog owner to seek additional compensation. In these cases, the victim will typically seek the rest of their lost income, their legal expenses, the value of damaged personal property, and possibly pain and suffering compensation from the dog’s owner.
How Long Do I Have To Open A Claim Or File A Lawsuit?
Your worker’s comp claim must be opened with the program within 30 days of the dog bite injury incident. If you wait longer than 30 days to attempt to open the claim, it will be immediately denied, and you will get no benefits. The legal system allows personal injury victims to file a lawsuit for two years after suffering harm. However, after two years have passed, the victim loses the right to seek compensation and justice for the losses and expenses caused by that specific injury event. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Normandie Law Firm to discuss the time remaining for you to take action to secure the financial assistance you need and deserve after suffering a dog bite while working as a food delivery person.
No Added Financial Stress
When you work with Normandie Law Firm, you never need to worry about upfront legal fees and expenses. Our firm only gets paid after your legal matter is resolved, and you have the compensation that includes funds to cover your legal costs. In addition, if the expert dog bite injury lawyers at Normandie Law Firm fail to win your case and deliver compensation, you owe the firm nothing for the time and investment made to prepare the case. Please make time to contact our staff today to learn more about these vital options to resolve the debt and losses you sustained due to dog bite injuries suffered while working your food delivery job.
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