What does the fact that WC is paying have to do with the size of a claim?
True, the mail carriers are covered by WC but how can the employer control the dog bite exposure on properties they don’t control and dogs they don’t own.
If my dog were to bite someone I would expect to be held responsible. If the person bit had multiple means of recovery, fine, but I would expect my responsibility to be primary and any other source may contribute to restitution.
I am willing to bet a lot of dog owners have absolutely no insurance and no means to pay for the damages.
We had one. Mail carrier was bitten when entering a real estate office but the bite was not severe enough for him to miss work or file a WC claim. He did however contact a PI attorney and receive a $5k settlement.
James, keep in mind what average means. It could be skewed up or down by either extreme of the data set. A much more useful number might be the median.
I would love to see the breakdown of what makes up the claim payments. How much falls into pain and suffering? How much for medical expenses, etc.? As Perplexed notes, the emergency room is expensive, operations, hospital stays are through the roof, doctor’s visits and plastic surgery…forget it! And, perhaps therapy for the trauma some experience? It adds up fast. There also could be lost wages. It all adds up.
An employee can still file a personal injury claim against the owner as well. I know I am. Worker’s comp is fine and all but that owner needs to be held responsible for their dog’s actions and suing the owner makes them understand the severity. They may not come out the pocket directly but they will feel it(getting dropped from their carrier).
I was once approached by a seemingly calm and well-behave terrier when I was on my way to hand deliver mail to a property owner who was standing in his front yard. Using caution we were taught in mail-carrier training when I was a strapping young lad, I asked the gentleman “does your dog bite?” He said no, so I proceeded to turn over the bundle of mail in my hand when the little stinker ran up behind me and bit me on the ankle. I quickly retorted to the property owner “You said your dog doesn’t bite!” He replied “That’s not my dog!”
If WC covers the mail carriers, hard to see why the average claim is $37,214. We’re not generally talking broken bones here. Can someone explain?
What does the fact that WC is paying have to do with the size of a claim?
True, the mail carriers are covered by WC but how can the employer control the dog bite exposure on properties they don’t control and dogs they don’t own.
If my dog were to bite someone I would expect to be held responsible. If the person bit had multiple means of recovery, fine, but I would expect my responsibility to be primary and any other source may contribute to restitution.
I am willing to bet a lot of dog owners have absolutely no insurance and no means to pay for the damages.
We had one. Mail carrier was bitten when entering a real estate office but the bite was not severe enough for him to miss work or file a WC claim. He did however contact a PI attorney and receive a $5k settlement.
Yep, there’s an ambulance chaser around every city street corner nowadays.
James, have you been to the emergency room lately? Costs for any ER visit are astronomical. Some dog bites result in the need for plastic surgery.
James, keep in mind what average means. It could be skewed up or down by either extreme of the data set. A much more useful number might be the median.
I would love to see the breakdown of what makes up the claim payments. How much falls into pain and suffering? How much for medical expenses, etc.? As Perplexed notes, the emergency room is expensive, operations, hospital stays are through the roof, doctor’s visits and plastic surgery…forget it! And, perhaps therapy for the trauma some experience? It adds up fast. There also could be lost wages. It all adds up.
How about: Postal carriers schooled in the art of suits
?
WC claims have right of recovery to tortfeaser –ie owners of animals who wrongfully bite mailcarriers.
An employee can still file a personal injury claim against the owner as well. I know I am. Worker’s comp is fine and all but that owner needs to be held responsible for their dog’s actions and suing the owner makes them understand the severity. They may not come out the pocket directly but they will feel it(getting dropped from their carrier).
I was once approached by a seemingly calm and well-behave terrier when I was on my way to hand deliver mail to a property owner who was standing in his front yard. Using caution we were taught in mail-carrier training when I was a strapping young lad, I asked the gentleman “does your dog bite?” He said no, so I proceeded to turn over the bundle of mail in my hand when the little stinker ran up behind me and bit me on the ankle. I quickly retorted to the property owner “You said your dog doesn’t bite!” He replied “That’s not my dog!”
Oh, but can say it in a nasal French accent? LOL
What I was referring to was Inspector Clouseau, from The Pink Panther series. Classic.
Don’t get around any calm and well behaved Pit Bulls. They can change in a flash and they don’t just bite, they maul.
Would you kindly cite your source for the breed specific statement above?
I suggest you Google Pit Bulls and bite issues. They are a small part of the total dog population, but commit a high percent of bites, maulings.
you could have just said “no” agent
Karen, good grief, do you live in a bubble? Or maybe you’re just 12 years old, if so, sorry.