A recent attack on a UPS driver in DeKalb, Indiana, serves as a stark reminder of the serious dangerous delivery workers and other professionals face when encountering aggressive dogs. The driver suffered multiple wounds to his head, arms, and abdomen when three pit bulls attacked him while he was delivering a package to their owner’s residence.
If you’ve been attacked by a dog while working, don’t wait. Contact our experienced Indiana dog bite attorneys at Young, Reverman & Bolotin today to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. Call 513-400-0000 to schedule a free consultation.
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Details of the DeKalb County Dog Attack
The incident, which occurred just outside of Hamilton, demonstrates out quickly routine deliveries can turn catastrophic. According to police reports, the driver approached the residence to deliver a package, following standard safety protocols. When a woman opened the screen door to sign for the delivery, several dogs escaped from the home, and three attacked the driver.
The animals reportedly targeted multiple areas of the driver’s body, inflicting serious bite wounds. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries, and has since been released.
While the dog owner cooperated with authorities and has since surrendered the animals involved in the attack, it does not diminish the legal liability for the injuries caused.
Why Delivery Workers Are at High Risk
Delivery workers face unique and elevated risks when it comes to dog attacks compared to other professions. Unlike visitors who can choose whether to enter a property after seeing potential dangers, delivery personnel must complete their assigned routes regardless of obvious hazards like unleashed dogs, “Beware of Dog” signs, or previous concerning encounters.
Statistical data from the U.S. Postal Service and private delivery companies reveals that thousands of delivery workers are attacked by dogs annually. In 2024, there were more than 6,000 reported dog attacks on postal workers across the U.S. These incidents often occur because:
Property Access Requirements
Delivery workers must approach homes, often entering fenced yards or walking up driveways where dogs may be present but not immediately visible.
Routine Vulnerability
Dogs may view delivery workers as repeat intruders since they visit the same properties regularly, potentially triggering territorial aggression.
Limited Escape Options
Unlike casual visitors, delivery workers often carry packages, wear uniforms, and drive vehicles that limit their mobility when threatened by aggressive animals.
Owner Negligence
Many property owners fail to properly secure their animals during expected deliveries, despite knowing that packages are scheduled to arrive.
Indiana’s Dog Bite Laws: Protection for Working Professionals
Indiana’s legal framework provides comprehensive protection for workers injured by dog attacks while performing their professional duties. These laws recognize that certain professions require individuals to enter private property regularly, creating unique vulnerabilities that deserve special legal consideration.
Under state law, dog owners face automatic liability when their animals attack workers who are:
- Carrying out law enforcement duties
- Performing government functions
- Delivering mail or packages for postal services
- Conducting official business on behalf of state or federal agencies
These laws eliminate many of the traditional defenses available to dog owners in typical bite cases. Property owners cannot claim they didn’t know their dog was dangerous, argue that the victim provoked the attack, or rely on trespassing defenses when the victim was performing official duties.
This protection exists because lawmakers recognized that certain workers have no choice but to enter private property as part of their job responsibilities. The law acknowledges that these professionals deserve enhanced protection, since they cannot simply avoid properties with dangerous animals.
Expanding Protection Beyond Federal Employees
While federal postal workers have long enjoyed protection under federal law, Indiana’s state laws extend similar protections to private delivery companies like UPS, FedEx, Amazon delivery drivers, and other service professionals. This creates a comprehensive safety net for all workers who must enter private property as part of their job duties.
Compensation Rights for Injured Delivery Workers
The UPS driver in the Hamilton dog bite incident falls directly under this protection. Dog bite victims in Indiana can recover compensation under various legal doctrines, with specific provisions for mail carriers and others carrying out duties on behalf of the state or federal government. Therefore, injured delivery workers have strong legal grounds to pursue compensation for:
- All medical expenses, including emergency care and ongoing treatment
- Lost wages during recovery period
- Future medical costs and rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering damages
- Permanent disability compensation if applicable
These enhanced protections ensure that workers don’t bear the financial burden of injuries sustained while simply doing their jobs, making it easier to focus on recovery rather than worrying about mounting bills and lost income.
Understanding Indiana’s One-Bite Rule
While Indiana provides enhanced protection for working professionals, it’s important to understand how the state’s general dog bite laws operate for context. Indiana follows what’s commonly called the one-bite rule. As such, dog owners generally aren’t held liable for first-time attacks unless they knew their dog was dangerous. However, this rule has significant exceptions for working professionals.
How the One-Bite Rule Works
Under Indiana’s general liability standard, dog owners escape responsibility if their animal has no history of aggression, and they had no reason to expect an attack. Victims must typically prove the dog attacked without provocation, they were lawfully present, and the owner knew of dangerous propensities.
Enhanced Protection for Working Professionals
Indiana law eliminates the one-bite rule defense when victims are professionals performing official duties, including:
- Postal workers and delivery personnel (UPS, FedEx, Amazon, etc.)
- Government employees and contractors
- Law enforcement and emergency responders
- Utility workers and building inspectors
- Social workers conducting home visits
Unlike social visitors who can choose to leave dangerous situations, these workers must complete their duties regardless of obvious hazards. Property owners therefore face automatic liability when their dogs attack working professionals, regardless of the animal’s history or the owner’s prior knowledge of aggression.
Contact Our Indiana Dog Bite Legal Team Today
The Hamilton UPS driver attack serves as a powerful reminder that dog bite injuries can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. However, Indiana law provides strong protections for victims, particularly those injured while performing their professional duties.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack while working, don’t wait to seek legal help. Indiana has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, and evidence can disappear quickly. Contact our dog bite attorneys at Young, Reverman & Bolotin today for a free consultation to discuss your rights and options for recovery. Call 513-400-0000.
