Dear Chandler, 

I’ve been working as a service technician for a pool company for two years now. Yesterday, there was a new customer on my route. Like usual, I called them twenty minutes before I arrived. It’s part of our company policy since a lot of our customers have pets that they need to lock up while we’re there. 

When I got to the house, I rang the doorbell and heard a lot of barking and pawing at the door. Then, the moment the door opens this forty-pound brute of a dog comes bounding out of the house and sinks its teeth into my leg. The owner barely acknowledged the fact that I was bitten. After corralling the beast back into the house, she came back outside with a bandage for my dog bite. But by this point, I’m already gushing blood and considering if I need stitches.

Then, she had the audacity to ask me if I could still patch her leaky pool even though her dog bit me. It really ticked me off how she was brushing off the whole attack. I decided to get the police involved and they came to get the dog. In the meantime, I headed to the hospital and got some shots and antibiotics. They also bandaged my leg up and gave me a few stitches. $175 and a day’s worth of lost work later, and I’m home resting, but I still can’t get into a pool again until my leg fully heals. 

Then, this morning, I get a call from my boss telling me I have to recant my story so this lady’s dog doesn’t get put down. I told him I wouldn’t lie. Immediately, he tells me that my position has been eliminated. So now I’m banged up and out of a job. This feels so unfair. What can I do??

Signed,

Bitten and Bitter

Dear Bitten and Bitter,

First, let me say I’m sorry that happened to you. I was bitten by a neighbor’s dog growing up and I still have a gnarly scar on my leg. You did the right thing by getting the police involved. If the dog attacked you without provocation, it was only a matter of time before it did it to someone else.

You have multiple avenues for claims here. First, there is the worker’s compensation claim. Since you were injured on the job, your company is responsible for both your medical care and the lost wages. The first thing you should do is file a claim with them. You may also have a wrongful termination suit on your hands, but we will have to discuss that more in detail.

The owner of the dog is also liable for your injury. You may be able to file a claim with their homeowner’s insurance policy or pursue a civil claim against them.

In any case, the road to recompense for your injury will be a long and winding one. But, I’m available to walk it with you. Make sure you save your medical records and get a copy of the police report so that we have all the information we need to wrap this case up tight.

Wishing you a swift recovery,

Your Dog Bite Injury Lawyer