Dog attacks on postal workers increasing

Illinois residents may be interested to learn that dog attacks involving postal workers are on the rise. According to reports, the number of dog attacks on postal workers was up to 6,755 in 2016, an increase of 206 attacks from the previous year. In fact, the number of dog attacks involving postal workers reached the highest in 30 years.

It is estimated that, every year, 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs across the nation. Postal workers may be more at risk of suffering dog attacks. Although only approximately 2 percent of postal workers have been bitten by dogs, a 17-year veteran worker noted that every worker had stories of experiences with dogs, whether that means having to outrun or cajole a territorial animal.

It is believed that the growth of online sales has contributed to the rise in dog attacks on postal workers. Postal workers and other delivery workers are visiting more houses in a day than ever before, and specialty delivery services often require workers to visit homes at different times instead of a set schedule. As such, it is important that all dog owners and their pets undergo dog bite prevention training to help keep everyone safe.

If a person suffers a dog bite injury, the owner of the dog is responsible for any damages. In many cases, the person’s homeowner insurance will actually cover the cost of medical bills and any other damages that were sustained in the attack. A personal injury attorney may help the injured person prove the amount in damages the injured person sustained. This may include working with the doctors who treated the injured person for both physical and emotional trauma they may have suffered. If the insurance company refuses to pay, the case could go to court.