Can a Postal Worker Sue for Dog Bite Injuries?
A letter carrier who sustains an injury while working has to comply with the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). Under this law, the federal government compensates an employee for any disability, death, or injury suffered in the performance of their duties.
Postal workers have to give formal notice to the employer of their intent to file a compensation claim within 30 days. Also, the employee has to notify a supervisor of the injury immediately. You cannot collect if you miss these deadlines.
In addition to contacting your supervisor, you should inform the police.
However, keep in mind that Section 8131 of FECA demands that federal employees file claims against third parties for damages when the third party is responsible for the employee’s losses. In other words, the injured postal worker can file a claim for damages from a dog bite against a dog owner. However, the federal government retains subrogation rights. This means that you have to pay the federal government back for any workers’ compensation benefits you’ve received if you win your dog bite claim against the dog owner.
What Type of Injuries Can Dog Bite Victims Suffer?
Dog bites and attacks cause a variety of injuries. Many factors play a role in determining injury severity. For instance, the victim’s size, the dog’s size, the dog breed, and the circumstances of the attack are significant factors determining the injury’s type and severity.
At Henderson Law, our dog bite attorney has represented many clients who sustained the following types of injuries:
Sadly, a dog attack could end in death as well.
Current medical literature suggests that every dog bite has the potential to develop an infection, but only 15 to 20% actually result in infection. Crushing injuries and puncture wounds tend to be more susceptible to infection than others, but treating physicians will take steps to prevent an infection from setting in.
The literature also suggests that people with certain medical conditions have a higher than typical risk of developing an infection. Doctors are aware of this and often treat the possibility of infection more aggressively in higher-risk patients.
Doctors will also ensure that the victim has a current tetanus shot and the attacking dog has a current rabies vaccination.