FedEx Driver Suffers Severe Dog Bite Injuries in Illinois

 Posted on June 14, 2021 in Dog Bite Injuries

Dog attacks are often unpredictable, and in the most severe cases, dog bites can leave life-altering or even life-threatening injuries. Never has this been more apparent than in a recent incident in which a FedEx driver was attacked by two dogs while delivering a package to a home in southern Illinois. The dogs, who had no known history of violence, managed to escape their home and left the driver with serious bite wounds on the arms and legs, ultimately requiring his left hand and wrist to be amputated. This horrifying case brings to light several important issues that all Illinois residents should be aware of in the event that they fall victim to dog bite injuries themselves.

The Risks of On-the-Job Dog Bite Injuries

Many occupations are at risk of dog bite injuries in the course of their work. Delivery drivers, postal workers, and any employees who provide services in homes or residential areas can be exposed to dog attacks. The same is true for employees in occupations that work directly with dogs, including veterinarians, groomers, trainers, and employees at boarding kennels or animal shelters. Employees who suffer work-related dog bite injuries are often entitled to Illinois workers’ compensation benefits through their employer, whether the injuries happen at their primary workplace, a dog owner’s home, or any other location. These benefits can cover medical expenses, as well as lost wages in cases of temporary or permanent disability.

Illinois Dog Owner Liability

Anyone injured by a dog in Illinois, including an employee who is bitten while working, also has the right to pursue compensation from the dog’s owner. Because of Illinois’s strict liability law, dog bite victims do not need to show that the dog had a history of attacks, that the owner was aware of such a history, or that the owner’s negligence in any way contributed to the attack. A victim will, however, need to demonstrate that they had the legal right to be in the location where the attack occurred and that their behavior did not provoke the dog to attack.

Strict liability means that the dog’s owner is liable for all civil damages resulting from the dog attack. This includes medical bills and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages for scarring, disfigurement, and physical and emotional pain and suffering. A dog owner can also be liable for a dog attack victim’s wrongful death if the injuries suffered prove to be fatal.

Contact an Illinois Dog Bite Injury Attorney

At Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, we sympathize with all victims of dog bite injuries throughout the state of Illinois, and we can help you recover fair compensation for your damages if you have been injured. Contact our Illinois dog attack lawyers at 630-552-6860 to schedule a free consultation today.

Sources:

https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/illinois-fedex-driver-faces-serious-damage-after-dogs-attack-and-bite-him/63-822a7eef-7d9b-45dd-8c1b-21426af60f9d

https://www.newsweek.com/dog-attack-illinois-fedex-driver-arm-amputated-1598956

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1704&ChapterID=41