Dog Bite at Work: Prevention and Response for Employers and Employees

As an employer, you have a responsibility to ensure a safe working environment for your employees, including protection from dog bites. According to the article, a dog bite can occur when an employee is working with a dog, even if the dog is a service animal.

Dog bites can cause serious injuries, including lacerations, puncture wounds, and even infections. In fact, a study cited in the article found that dog bites can result in an average of 20 stitches per incident.

If you work with dogs, it's essential to know how to prevent dog bites. The article suggests that employees should always approach dogs calmly and quietly, avoiding sudden movements that may provoke an attack.

Employers can also take steps to prevent dog bites by providing training on dog behavior and body language. This can help employees recognize signs of aggression and take steps to avoid a bite.

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If you're a veterinarian or work with animals, you may be more likely to get injured by a dog because you're taking the risk as part of your job.

A "Beware of Dog" sign might not be enough to hold the owner liable if you ignore it and get bitten.

In some states, courts have ruled that dog owners can't use the assumption-of-risk defense when they've been sued under a state's dog-bite law.

If you're a vet's assistant, groomer, pet sitter, or kennel operator, you might be considered to have voluntarily accepted the risk of getting hurt by an animal.

Some courts, like those in California, have agreed that owners are relieved from strict liability when injured people have accepted the risk of getting hurt by an animal.

Even if you have a prominent "Beware of Dog" sign, you might still be at risk of getting bitten if you don't take precautions.

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Dog bites can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts to life-altering disfigurement. These injuries can have long-lasting effects on a person's quality of life.

Some common types of injuries caused by dog bites include puncture wounds, post-traumatic stress disorder, infection, eye injuries, and scarring. These injuries can be severe and may require extensive medical treatment.

Broken bones, eye and facial injuries, and finger and hand injuries are also common in dog attacks. These injuries may heal, but they can leave permanent scars and disfigurement.

Medical expenses, including reconstructive surgery, lost wages, and rehabilitation, are all types of economic damages that can be sought in a personal injury lawsuit. These damages can help compensate a person for the tangible losses they've suffered as a result of a dog bite.

Here are some examples of damages that can be sought after a dog bite:

In Illinois, dog bite law is based on strict liability, which means the victim doesn't need to prove the owner was negligent. They only need to show they were harmed by the animal and it wasn't provoked.

The state's law eliminates the requirement that the owner knew about the animal's vicious or dangerous propensity beforehand. This means the owner is still liable even if they had no idea their dog was a risk.

If you're injured by a dog in Illinois, you may be able to seek damages through a lawsuit or insurance claim. The owner's liability is for the full amount of injury caused by the attack, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional injuries.

Illinois is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites, meaning a dog bite victim doesn't need to prove the owner was negligent.

In Illinois, a dog bite victim only needs to prove they were harmed by the animal and that the animal was not provoked.

The Illinois Animal Control Act eliminates the requirement that the owner have prior knowledge of the animal's vicious or dangerous propensity.

The Act encourages strict control over animals by imposing liability on their owners for injuries.

Prior to the Act, plaintiffs had to prove the dog owner previously knew their dog had a propensity to injure people, but this requirement is no longer necessary.

The Act also eliminates the "one bite rule", which previously required plaintiffs to prove the dog owner previously knew their dog had a propensity to injure people.

A class 3 dog bite is a serious single bite with deep puncture wounds that are deeper than half of a dog’s tooth. This type of injury can lead to scarring and requires medical attention to prevent infection.

Class 3 attacks often result in physical injuries with shallow wounds, which may seem minor at first but can still cause significant problems if left untreated.

For more insights, see: Types of Dog Bite Wounds

If you're unfortunate enough to get bitten by a dog at work, the first thing you should do is get medical treatment for your injuries. You'll need to report the incident to your local animal control office online or by phone, as Maricopa County laws require this for severe bites.

Take photos and videos of the dog, the scene, the dog's owner or controller, your wounds, and any other details that can help you show what happened. This can be crucial evidence later on.

Get contact information and statements from witnesses to the dog bite and the dog's owner or controller. This can help support your claim for compensation.

You can also file a claim if a dog attacks your pet. Keep copies of any medical bills and the time you miss from work.

If the dog's owner or controller doesn't regain control of the animal, get away from it as soon as possible after an attack. Don't try to kick or hit a dog during an attack, as this can further provoke the dog.

Here's a list of steps to take after an incident: