The United States Postal Service (USPS) released its annual report on employee dog bite statistics last month. Nationwide, the total number of attacks on USPS employees was 6,755 in 2016. This is an increase of over 200 compared to 2015. Rounding out the top 10 were the following cities:

1. Los Angeles, CA (80)
2. Houston, TX (62)
3. Cleveland, OH (60)
4. San Diego, CA (57)
5. Louisville, KY (51)
6. Detroit, MI (48)
7. Denver, CO (47)
8. Chicago, IL (46)
9. Indianapolis, IN (44)
10. Minneapolis, MN (43)

Dog bites

In the United States, about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs annually. The majority of these bite victims are children. According to the Human Society, the top 3 victims of dog bite attacks are children, the elderly, and postal workers. Dog bites account for a significant number of emergency room visits as well. With tens of millions of dogs in the U.S., most of us will encounter canines on a regular basis throughout our daily lives.

Dog bites can cause significant damage, both physical and psychological. Dog bite injuries can be severe in children and the elderly, as they are more vulnerable and have less ability to fend off an attack. Bites from stronger and larger dogs, or multiple dogs, can obviously be particularly devastating. Additionally, dog bites can result in the transmission of numerous contagious diseases, including rabies.

Prevention

For the reasons listed above, it is imperative that dog owners take steps to prevent injury to others, especially if they live near vulnerable members of the community. Likewise, children should be taught to act in such a way around dogs so as to minimize the chance for injury.

https://www.cdc.gov/features/dog-bite-prevention/

Compensation for your injuries

If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog, there are laws in California that protect your rights. Here are some things to know:

• California law imposes strict liability on dog owners in cases of dog bites
• A “dog bite” does not have to break the skin under the relevant statute
• If a dog causes an injury in some way other than biting, you can still sue based on negligence
• You can sue for negligence if you think the landlord is at fault

You should contact someone experienced in dog bite cases who can explain your options and help get compensation for your injuries.

Helix Law Firm can help with your dog bite case

If you have been injured by a dog, you may be entitled to damages for your injuries. At Helix Law Firm, we can help you obtain the compensation you need to move on with your life.

If you're interested in learning more about how Helix can help, please call us at (619) 567-4447 to schedule a free consultation.