One of Spokane’s foremost delivery services is DHL. However, the company’s success has led to a notable challenge for DHL delivery drivers–encountering numerous dogs during deliveries, increasing the risk of dog bites.
If you’re an DHL delivery driver who has experienced a dog bite, our dedicated legal team at Crary and Domanico, P.S. is ready to help you. We are committed to securing fair compensation for your medical expenses and the distress caused by the dog bite. Contact us for a free consultation that puts your needs first and gives you a better idea of your legal options.
Steps to Take After Being Bitten by a Dog in Spokane
If you experience a dog bite as an DHL delivery driver, the immediate aftermath is crucial for both your well-being and any potential claims. Here are the key steps to take after a dog bite:
- Seek medical care – Prioritize your health and safety by getting prompt medical attention for the dog bite. Even seemingly minor bites can lead to infections, so it’s essential to address the injury promptly.
- Report the incident to your supervisor – Inform your supervisor or the DHL logistics team about the incident promptly. Follow any specific procedures they have in place for handling such situations. Document key details, including the location, time, and any witnesses.
- File an incident report – Comply with company protocols, including filing an incident report for workplace accidents. Provide accurate details about the dog bite incident.
- Contact SCRAPS – In Spokane, report the incident to Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS). They can investigate and take appropriate actions if the dog poses a danger.
- Collect evidence and other information – If possible, gather details about the dog and its owner, including their name and contact information. This information may be crucial for potential legal or insurance claims.
- File a workers’ compensation claim – If you’re an DHL delivery driver, explore your coverage under workers’ compensation insurance. Contact your employer’s HR or workers’ compensation department to understand your rights and benefits related to the injury.
- Document your damages – Maintain records of medical treatment, including bills, prescriptions, and any time off work due to the injury. This documentation is crucial for potential workers’ compensation claims.
Remember, your safety is a top priority as a DHL delivery driver. Report the incident to protect other drivers, and consider consulting with our team to explore legal avenues for recovering from your injuries.
What’s the Claims Process For a DHL Driver After Being Bitten by a Dog in Spokane?
Even in the context of being bitten by a dog as a DHL delivery driver, the claims process is unique to your particular situation. However, there are some general guidelines for how your case will proceed once you decide to file a claim. Usually, the starting point is establishing liability.
Liability
As a DHL delivery driver, your daily routine involves delivering packages directly to doorsteps in Spokane. In the event of a dog bite during a delivery, the question arises: does being on what is essentially private property make a difference?
According to Washington law, the answer is no. The location of the bite doesn’t affect liability. Washington’s “strict liability” approach holds the dog’s owner responsible for your injuries and damages, regardless of where the bite occurs.
Legal Process
With liability established, you can then enter the claims process. While every case is unique, it generally includes the following steps:
- Filing an insurance claim – Many homeowners’ insurance policies cover dog bite incidents. Our lawyers assist in filing a claim to seek benefits for medical expenses, lost wages, and related costs from the dog owner’s insurance provider.
- Filing a lawsuit – If insurance coverage isn’t enough to cover your losses, you have the option to take legal action against the dog’s owner by filing a lawsuit. This allows you to seek financial support for your damages. Our lawyers guide you through presenting your case in court, including potential involvement with a judge and jury.
Our team supports your case by:
- Launching an investigation into the bite attack
- Aiding in the gathering and analysis of medical records and other documentation
- Conducting witness interviews
- Seeking guidance from medical experts with experience in dog bites
- Engaging in negotiations with insurance companies
- Managing your case through legal proceedings and, if needed, a trial
Effective legal assistance is crucial after a dog bite in Spokane. Even when liability is established, dealing with insurance companies can be complex. Working with our dog bite lawyers at CCD Law significantly reduces the burden on you and your family.
Damages in a Spokane Dog Bite Attack on a DHL Delivery Driver
When a dog bites you, there’s going to be damage. This doesn’t just mean real world damage, like physical injuries and emotional trauma, but also refers to what you can recover in a claim. Generally speaking, your legal “damages” is the available financial support that you can go after in a claim. While everything revolves around the circumstances of your particular case, you can potentially recover the following in a claim:
- Medical costs – Covering the costs of emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and other expenses related to treating injuries.
- Lost wages – Financial considerations for income lost due to an inability to work or reduced earning capacity resulting from the injuries.
- Pain and suffering – Damages for the physical pain and emotional distress experienced due to the dog bite.
- Disfigurement and scarring – These damages will be available if the dog bite results in permanent scars or alters your physical appearance, and is designed to cope with the impact on self-esteem.
- Property damage – Financial support for repairs or replacements of belongings damaged during the dog attack.
- Punitive damages – In specific cases involving extreme negligence or intentional harm, the court may grant punitive damages to penalize the dog owner.
Injuries
By far the most impactful outcome of a dog bite are the injuries you could suffer. This is doubly frustrating as a delivery driver, because not only do you encounter numerous dogs on your daily route, but any injury is likely going to affect your ability to work. While injuries, like legal damages, vary from case to case, it’s likely that a dog bite is going to result in the following injuries:
- Broken bones – Dog bites can cause fractures, particularly in the hands and feet.
- Bite wounds – Dogs’ teeth easily pierce the skin, causing deep wounds that may require stitches.
- Infections – Dog bites increase the risk of infection, potentially leading to severe health issues if untreated.
- Nerve damage – Injuries to nerves can result in numbness, tingling, or loss of function in the affected area.
- Lacerations – Dogs’ teeth can create deep cuts, often requiring surgical intervention for repair.
- Emotional damage – Dog bites can be traumatic, causing emotional distress and anxiety in the victim.
Trying to navigate the claims process alone can be extremely difficult, but can be totally overwhelming if you’re also dealing with your injuries. Medical treatment, missing work, and any other number of factors all come into play as a DHL delivery driver when you’re bitten by a dog. That’s where our team can be of assistance.
Legal Guidance After a Spokane Dog Bite
Seeking legal guidance after a dog bite incident is crucial, given the unfortunate and often tragic nature of these events. Dogs, as loyal companions, may sometimes overstep their bounds in defending their territory. If you or any other DHL delivery driver has experienced a dog bite in Spokane, our qualified dog bite lawyers at CCD Law are here to provide the experienced legal assistance you need.
We can guide you through the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and strive to secure the outcome you rightfully deserve for your injuries. Contact us today to set up your free consultation.
