According to data released by the U.S. Postal Service in May 2026, more than 5,200 postal employees were attacked by dogs nationwide in 2025. With Rochester being named the 32nd city in the United States with the most dog bites to postal workers, we know this is all too common in our community. If you are a delivery driver, including USPS or another delivery service, who has been bitten by a dog, you are not alone. Dog attacks are a serious occupational hazard for people who regularly approach homes and businesses.
When these incidents occur, it is important to seek immediate medical care for your injuries. Documentation of the bite, including its severity and date of occurrence, helps to connect the injury to the dog attack.
Speaking with an attorney is another key element in pursuing justice after any personal injury. Our dedicated dog bite lawyers at Richmond Vona can review your case during an initial consultation and determine whether you have a claim for compensation. Call our law office today to get started.
- Immediate Actions To Take After a Dog Bite
- Understanding How Liability Works in a New York Dog Bite Case
- When Does a Lawyer Become Necessary?
- How To Recover Damages From a Dog Bite Incident
- Filing Deadlines for New York Dog Bite Cases
- Our New York Dog Bite Lawyers Will Pursue the Compensation You Deserve
Immediate Actions To Take After a Dog Bite
After a dog bite, seek medical care as soon as possible, especially if the injury is severe. Even minor bites can become infected, so it is important to be evaluated by a healthcare professional right away. Keep records of your medical treatment and any documentation linking the injury to the dog attack.
Document the incident even if you are unsure whether you will pursue a claim. Photograph the wound, dog, location, and conditions. Obtain the dog owner’s name, phone number, address, and homeowners or renters insurance information, along with contact information for witnesses.
Report the dog bite to local authorities as soon as possible. They can investigate the incident, assess the risk of rabies exposure, and determine whether the dog should be confined and observed under New York law. If the bite occurred while you were working, you should also notify the property owner or manager and report the incident through your employer’s or delivery platform’s reporting system.
Although legal action may feel overwhelming, compensation may help cover medical bills, lost income, and other losses. An attorney can explain your options and deadlines.
Understanding How Liability Works in a New York Dog Bite Case
New York dog bite cases may involve strict liability, negligence, or both. If a dog previously bit someone, the owner knew or should have known about it, and that propensity to bite caused the new injury, the owner is strictly liable. The injured person need not separately prove negligence.
A prior bite is not required. Strict liability may also apply when a dog displayed other vicious propensities, such as growling, lunging, snapping, or baring its teeth, that the owner knew or should have known about and that caused the injury.
Following the New York Court of Appeals’ 2025 decision in Flanders v. Goodfellow, an injured person may also bring a negligence claim by proving the owner failed to use reasonable care and caused the injury. For a delivery driver, relevant evidence may include an unsecured dog, an open gate, an inadequate enclosure, or a failure to warn of a foreseeable danger.
Homeowners or renters insurance may cover the claim, subject to the policy’s terms and exclusions.
When Does a Lawyer Become Necessary?
While an attorney can always offer helpful legal guidance with your case, we highly recommend scheduling a consultation if any of the following are relevant to your case:
- Your injuries result in significant medical expenses, lost income, or disputes over compensation.
- You miss more than a few days of work
- Your injury requires stitches or follow-up care
- You are unsure whether an insurance offer is fair
- The dog was a stray, the dog has had multiple incidents
- The dog’s owner is uninsured
You should not have to negotiate a settlement alone. With Richmond Vona, you never pay anything up front. Our attorneys will fight on your behalf to secure a fair settlement and ensure the property owner’s insurance covers your legal costs.
How To Recover Damages From a Dog Bite Incident
App-based delivery drivers in New York are generally classified as independent contractors rather than W-2 employees, so traditional workers’ compensation does not cover them. As a result, filing a claim under the property owner’s insurance is the primary way to recover damages. A successful claim can compensate you for the following:
- Lost earnings: Due to time off work or reduced earning capacity
- Medical bills: Emergency room, follow-ups, antibiotics, surgery, and therapy
- Pain and suffering: Infection, scarring, anxiety, and chronic pain
Filing Deadlines for New York Dog Bite Cases
New York has a strict three-year statute of limitations for dog bite claims and lawsuits. Missing this deadline can result in the loss of the ability to secure compensation. However, waiting too long to file can also have repercussions, such as loss of evidence and a weaker overall case.
Our experienced dog bite attorneys in New York can review the details of your claim and ensure it is filed on time with all necessary documentation.
Our New York Dog Bite Lawyers Will Pursue the Compensation You Deserve
At Richmond Vona, we recognize that delivery drivers are vital members of our community and should not have to worry about potential attacks by aggressive dogs. If you are currently facing the aftermath of an incident involving a dangerous animal, help is available.
Our compassionate dog bite lawyers are committed to supporting you or your loved ones as you recover. Contact our New York law office today at 716-500-5678 to schedule your free, initial consultation.
