A dog bite can cause serious injury and expensive medical bills, but fortunately, workers’ comp may cover the cost.
According to the ASPCA, more than 23 million households got dogs during the pandemic. That’s roughly 1 in 5 households. People needed some company, entertainment, and an emotional counterweight to their isolation, and what better companion than a lovable pooch?
Of course, once the pandemic wound down, it was an absolute must that these newly adopted pets were allowed at the office. A lot of pandemic puppies need to have their owners nearby, and coming home to chewed-up furniture and doggy doo on the carpet isn’t anyone’s idea of a relaxing after-work evening. More and more offices are allowing dogs at the office, but it’s not always a good thing.
Read on to learn how dog bites can affect the workplace, and see how a work injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you need if you’ve been bitten on the job.
What’s the impact of a dog bite?
No matter the size of the dog, a dog bite has the potential to cause some serious and long-lasting problems. You’ll have to deal with stitches and potentially surgery – and if you’ve been traumatized enough, you may be afraid of dogs for weeks, months, or even years to come. Dog bites are dangerous, and they can be expensive too.
Can workers’ compensation help?
As Work Injury Lawyers in New Jersey like our friends at Rispoli & Borneo P.C. can explain, a dog bite can mean expensive medical bills and a lengthy period spent away from work. This means lost wages – wages you could have used to pay off your debts, your rent, and anything else you were saving up for. Fortunately, if you were bit by a dog at work, you can file a workers’ compensation claim to cover for your financial difficulties.
What about lawsuits?
If you were hurt at work because of a dog, you may be able to file a lawsuit instead of filing a workers’ compensation claim. However, this only works if your employer (and the dog owner) were negligent. For example, if you weren’t warned that a dog was likely to bite, or your employer allowed a dog to come in for work even though the dog was aggressive, you may have a lawsuit on your hands – and you may be able to get real justice with the help of your attorney.
What can a lawyer do for me?
Workers’ comp is anything but “free money”. It takes a lot of work to file a claim and get the compensation you need to keep yourself afloat, and a lawyer can help you navigate all the paperwork. Of course, if you decide to file a lawsuit against your negligent employer (and the negligent dog owner) you’ll definitely need a lawyer who can look over your case and help you decide whether a lawsuit is actually the best way forward.
Get in Touch with a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
A dog shouldn’t take a bite out of you – or your paycheck. If your office’s dog policy has turned into a dog disaster, get in touch with a work injuries lawyer and get the compensation you deserve.