As a FedEx delivery driver in Kentucky, you deal with tight schedules and frequent stops at homes, especially during busy holiday seasons. Many of these stops involve interacting with dogs. While most dogs are friendly, there’s always a risk of getting bitten.
If a dog bite happens, taking quick action is crucial. Understanding your legal rights and what steps to take is essential for your recovery. At Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, we know that FedEx drivers can face dog bites. Our experienced Kentucky dog bite lawyers are here to protect your legal rights and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries. Contact us for a free consultation today.
What Do You Need to Do As a Kentucky FedEx Delivery Driver After a Dog Bite?
If you work as a FedEx delivery driver, you are probably pretty aware of the encounters you have with unsafe conditions at the many houses along your route. One of the most common is interacting with a dog. While the vast majority of these pets are well-behaved and trained, they still have an instinctual drive to protect their territory and owners. Sometimes, this causes them to bite you. This is extremely unfortunate, but not unheard of. In fact, being prepared for these situations is very important.
As a FedEx delivery driver who has experienced a dog bite on the job, it’s vital to act promptly and responsibly to make sure your well-being is taken care of and to protect your rights. Here’s a quick overview of what you should do:
- Prioritize your safety – If the dog is still aggressive, move to a safe location to avoid further harm.
- Seek medical care – Regardless of the bite’s severity, promptly get medical help to prevent infections and complications. Have a healthcare professional examine the wound.
- Report the incident – Inform your supervisor and FedEx management about the dog bite, and document this report for reference.
- Find the dog’s owner – If possible, find out who the dog’s owner is, as their information may be necessary for reporting and potential compensation, such as medical expenses. Usually, this will be with the owner of the house you’re making a delivery at.
- Gather witness information – If there were witnesses, collect their contact details; they may provide valuable testimony later.
- Document the incident – Take photos of the dog bite and your injuries. Make a detailed note of the time, location, and circumstances.
- Report to animal control – Inform local animal control or authorities about the dog bite to ensure public safety and check the dog’s vaccination records.
Taking these steps safeguards your health and provides crucial information for potential legal or insurance claims. Once you’ve addressed your health and safety, consider consulting with our team of experienced dog bite lawyers to determine what your options are.
Determining Responsibility After a Kentucky Dog Bite
In Kentucky, dog bites fall under “strict liability,” which means the dog’s owner is:
- Responsible for the harm, regardless of the dog’s history or the owner’s knowledge of aggression.
So, if you’re bitten while delivering a FedEx package, the homeowner is likely responsible for covering your injuries. If the dog is a stray or owned by someone else at the residence, the dog’s “keeper” is liable. A “keeper” is anyone who assumes responsibility for the dog, even if they’re not the legal owner.
Dog bites in Kentucky can result in various injuries, including:
- Puncture wounds
- Tissue damage
- Broken bones
- Nerve injuries
- Emotional and psychological impacts are common, potentially leading to fear of dogs or post-traumatic stress disorder, especially for FedEx drivers.
Infections are a significant risk due to bacteria in a dog’s mouth, leading to concerns like rabies and tetanus. There’s also the potential for a loss of income due to time off work for recovery, medical appointments, or disability, affecting both your professional prospects and personal life. This makes the legal process extremely important to your overall recovery.
What is the Legal Process After a Kentucky Dog Bite?
In Kentucky, dog bite victims typically have two avenues for seeking compensation from the owner: filing an insurance claim through their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance or pursuing a lawsuit. This process may become more complex if the dog was off its leash, but the fact remains that the owner or keeper of the dog is liable.
Regardless of the path you choose, which may involve both, you can secure vital financial support for your injuries and losses, legally termed as “damages.” In a standard Kentucky dog bite claim, these damages typically include:
- Coverage for medical expenses and ongoing care, which can include surgeries, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.
- Financial considerations for the pain and suffering you endured.
- Recovery of damages for the emotional distress caused by the incident.
- Financial support for lost income or earning potential due to the incident.
- Support for any property damage resulting from the dog bite.
- Potential punitive damages if the dog owner’s conduct demonstrated significant negligence.
How We Can Help
While strict liability laws are in place, every dog bite case is unique, and claim outcomes can’t
be guaranteed. Nonetheless, working with our skilled and dedicated dog bite lawyers can ease the burden on you and your family. We can handle the daily tasks associated with your claim, allowing you to focus on your recovery. Specifically, though, we’ve developed a proven system of success in handling these cases, which includes:
- Legal guidance – Our lawyers have a deep understanding of Kentucky’s dog bite laws, liability rules, and the legal process. We can provide effective guidance on the best approach to your case.
- Investigation – We will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the dog bite, gather evidence, and interview witnesses to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Negotiation – Our team will negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation.
- Litigation – If necessary, our lawyers can represent you in court and present a compelling case before a judge and jury to secure the financial support you deserve.
- Handling documentation and paperwork – They will manage the paperwork, documentation, and legal procedures associated with your claim, reducing the stress on you.
- Maximizing results – Our lawyers will work to maximize the financial support you receive, ensuring all your losses and injuries are accounted for.
- Peace of mind – Having our lawyers by your side can provide peace of mind, knowing that a dedicated team is handling your case and fighting for your rights.
- Contingency fees – Our team works on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing up front, and we take our fee from whatever result we get for you. This makes our legal representation accessible.
Our lawyers can provide valuable support throughout the entire process, from the initial investigation to negotiating with insurance companies and, if necessary, representing you in court. Our expertise and experience can significantly increase your chances of receiving fair results for your injuries and losses.
Count on Kaufman & Stigger After a Kentucky Dog Bite
Experiencing a dog bite can be highly traumatic, particularly for FedEx delivery drivers merely doing their job. Although liability is typically clear in such cases, the claims process can still pose challenges for you and your family.
At Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, we’ve built a track record of helping Kentucky dog bite victims. Our team of skilled and committed lawyers is ready to explain your legal rights and guide you through the claims process, making sure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to and you can get back to work at FedEx. If you’ve suffered a dog bite, contact us today to set up your free consultation.
