As a UPS driver and delivery person, you face many daily challenges, from traffic-related issues to aggressive dogs that can charge out of nowhere when you approach a house to deliver a package. And it is vital to know that should you ever suffer a dog bite while working as a UPS delivery driver, you need to seek legal guidance to ensure that you are protecting your rights and exploring all options to receive the compensation you deserve.
The team at Normandie Law Firm is available 24/7 to answer any questions you might have about protecting your rights while getting the care and treatment you need for any injuries sustained. We also offer a free consultation to answer any further questions you might have, explain your rights in detail, and provide guidance related to the specifics of your injuries and situation. So contact our office today, and know that our lawyers will provide the information you need to make a wise choice about seeking compensation for your injuries and losses due to a dog bite injury while working as a UPS delivery driver.
Important Facts About Dog Bites
Tens of thousands of dog bites occur in California each year. And frequently, the victim is just doing their job delivering packages, mail, or a pizza. But sadly, not every dog bite victim understands that the injury could become life-threatening, even if it is just a tiny puncture wound.
The primary concern when a dog bite appears minor is infection. Dog’s mouths and saliva are loaded with germs and bacteria that can be fatal to humans. So when even a single tooth breaks the skin’s surface, there is the possibility of a severe infection, including bone, blood, staph or strep, or cellulitis. And without proper medical care, these infections can require surgery or a lengthy hospital stay to overcome. So regardless of how minimal the damage appears, have any dog bite injury examined by a medical professional to ensure your long-term health and safety.
Who Will Assist You In Paying Your Medical Bills After Suffering A Dog Bite
As a UPS delivery driver in California, you are covered under the worker’s compensation insurance program. This insurance is required by the state and is paid for by your employer. The purpose of the insurance is to protect both the employer and employee in the event of an injury accident. So this is one option that you have to ensure that your medical expenses are paid if you are bit by a dog while on the job as a UPS delivery person.
The other person who could be held liable for your injuries is the owner of the dog that bit you. California is a strict liability state, meaning the dog’s owner is almost always responsible for the injuries and damage caused by the dog. So if you can identify the owner of the dog that bit you, then you have a second option to seek compensation for your dog bite injuries. The expert personal injury dog bite and worker’s comp lawyers at Normandie Law Firm can answer all your questions related to the processing of these claims and what you can expect to receive from the dog owner and worker’s comp.
The Facts About Worker’s Compensation Claims
As an employee of UPS, you are covered under their worker’s comp insurance policy. So you can open a claim to pay for the medical care needed to treat any injuries that occur while you are at work. When you notify your supervisor of the injury, they can advise you on the process to open your claim, or the staff at Normandie Law Firm can assist you. You must understand that you have only 30 days from the date of the incident to open your worker’s comp claim.
In most cases, your benefits will cover all of your medical bills related to the dog bite injury you sustained and could cover part of your lost wages if you cannot return to work immediately. You might receive additional benefits if you are partially or fully disabled due to the injuries. While these benefits are not as substantial as what you could receive from the dog’s owner, it is a viable option if you cannot locate the dog or its owner, such as if you were bit by a stray dog.
The Time You Have To File A Civil Lawsuit
If you were bit by the homeowner’s dog when you were delivering a package, you could sue the dog owner for your injuries. If you opt for a civil case, you have two years from the date of the injury to file the claim with the court system. If you miss that deadline, you will lose your right to seek compensation for the injuries and losses due to the dog bite.
It is also vital to realize that the lawsuit could take months to complete or longer. So the sooner you speak to the experts at Normandie Law Firm and begin preparing your case, the sooner you can expect to have your settlement or verdict to start paying your bills and expenses.
The Potential Value Of A Civil Dog Bite Lawsuit
The value of a civil lawsuit is often based mainly on the losses or expenses incurred by the victim. For example, in the case of your dog bite injury suffered while working as a UPS delivery driver, you could include the following costs in your claim:
- The total of all your medical bills related to the care of your dog bite injuries
- The amount of any lost wages if you were unable to return to work while you heal from the injuries or work time missed to attend medical appointments
- The value of any damaged or destroyed personal property
- The total of your legal fees for the lawsuit
- In some cases, you can include a dollar amount to represent your pain and suffering from the injuries you sustained
Can I File A Worker’s Comp Claim And A Civil Claim?
Typically, you can file two claims when the dog bite occurs while you are on the clock, and you can identify the owner of the dog that bit you. However, you cannot be reimbursed for the same expenses on both claims. For example, you can claim the medical bills on the worker’s comp claim and accept their payment for part of your lost wages. Then you can sue the dog owner for the rest of your lost wages not reimbursed by worker’s comp. In addition, you can seek compensation for your pain and suffering in the civil lawsuit because worker’s comp does not cover that payment.
Why Hire Normandie Law Firm As Your UPS Delivery Dog Bite Lawyer?
If you have never been involved in a lawsuit, it can be a fairly intimidating process. And the same can be said for managing a lengthy worker’s comp claim. So when you face the choice of one or two claims to seek compensation for your dog bite injuries, it is wise to seek the help of experts. And in this case, the personal injury lawyers and worker’s comp lawyers at Normandie Law Firm are the best resources you can have to represent you and protect your rights.
Our staff brings decades of combined experience and success to each case we manage for our clients. In addition, we have the most dedicated and compassionate team in the industry. Our lawyers are proud to represent our clients and their families. And we want to get to know you and have you feel welcome and comfortable working with us. Only with that close working relationship and trust can we be sure we meet all your immediate and long-term needs.
We hope that when you contacted our office initially, you were impressed with the level of service and respect you received. And as your case continued, you experienced personal service and genuine interest from the legal staff and lawyers working with you. Not only are we proud to have the best legal minds, but we are equally as proud of the dedication and compassion of our team. That rare combination sets Normandie Law Firm apart from other firms and results in the highest satisfaction from our clients.
No Upfront Legal Fees
When you hire most law firms, there are upfront fees and expenses you need to pay. However, when you work with Normandie Law Firm, there are never any upfront or hidden legal fees. Instead, we only get paid for our services after we have gotten you the settlement or verdict you need to pay your bills and expenses related to your dog bite injuries.
We know that suffering an injury can create added stress and financial challenges. So we have a long-standing policy only to get paid after our client has gotten paid. And if we fail to get compensation for you, then you owe us nothing for our failure. We believe this shows every client how dedicated and confident we are in winning their case and helping them to get the full compensation they deserve. So please contact Normandie Law Firm today to learn more about your rights as a UPS dog bite injury victim.
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