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Dog Attacks on USPS Workers Are a Growing Problem — and Los Angeles Leads the Nation

Every year in June, the USPS launches its Dog Bite Awareness Campaign to shed light on the real and growing danger facing mail carriers across the country. This year’s theme, “Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track,” is a reminder that preventing dog attacks isn’t just about liability — it’s about responsibility.

According to USPS data, more than 6,000 dog-related attacks on mail carriers were reported in 2024 alone. California led the nation with 701 reported incidents, followed by Texas at 438. Los Angeles ranked #1 among all cities, with 77 USPS worker attacks — more than any other city in the U.S.

“Customers may not consider their dog a danger to others,” says Jonah Helfrich, a letter carrier and spokesperson for the USPS campaign. “However, to a letter carrier like me, all dogs can be considered a threat when delivering the mail.”

These aren’t abstract statistics — they represent real injuries to real people doing essential jobs. Many carriers suffer serious puncture wounds, permanent scarring, emotional trauma, or disabling orthopedic injuries from being bitten, chased, or knocked down by dogs.

The USPS urges homeowners to secure their pets during delivery hours — using leashes, gates, or keeping dogs indoors — and to avoid allowing unsupervised children to answer the door for deliveries. As a community, we all have a role to play in keeping mail carriers safe.

But when that safety is compromised and an attack occurs, postal workers have the right to seek accountability — and legal action may be necessary to ensure they’re fully compensated.

Understanding the Rights of USPS and Delivery Workers Injured by Dogs

If you’re a mail carrier or delivery driver who has been bitten or attacked by a dog while on the job, you may have more than one path to financial recovery. While most workers assume their only recourse is workers’ compensation, that’s often just one part of the equation. Depending on the circumstances, you may also be entitled to file a personal injury claim for broader compensation.

Below is an overview of how these claims generally work for USPS employees and other delivery professionals like those working for Amazon, UPS, FedEx, and private courier services.

1. Workers’ Compensation Benefits

If you’re a USPS employee, your injury will be handled under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) — the system that governs work-related injuries for federal employees. If you’re a non-government delivery driver (e.g., Amazon, UPS, or FedEx), you’ll likely be covered under California’s state workers’ compensation system. In either case, these systems are no-fault, meaning you don’t need to prove negligence to receive basic benefits. But they also come with significant limitations.

Both systems are designed to provide:

  • Medical treatment
  • Partial wage replacement during recovery
  • Disability benefits if permanent injury occurs

However, neither system provides compensation for pain and suffering or emotional trauma. In many cases, the compensation available through workers’ comp — federal or state — is limited and does not fully reflect the long-term impact of the injury.

2. Third-Party Injury Claims Against the Dog Owner

If you were attacked while delivering mail or a package and the dog that injured you belonged to a private individual or business, you may have the right to file a civil personal injury lawsuit against the dog’s owner or property owner — in addition to your workers’ comp claim.

This type of claim allows you to pursue:

  • Full medical costs
  • Lost income (including future lost earnings)
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Disfigurement or permanent scarring

These damages are not available through workers’ comp, which is why many injured delivery workers turn to experienced personal injury attorneys to explore a third-party liability claim.

3. California’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law (Civil Code § 3342)

Whether you’re a mail carrier, Amazon driver, or another delivery worker, California’s strict liability dog bite law gives you powerful protection. Under Civil Code § 3342:

  • Dog owners are automatically liable for injuries caused by their dog biting someone who is lawfully on their property.
  • You don’t have to prove the dog had a history of aggression.
  • The owner’s knowledge of the dog’s tendencies is irrelevant.

This law applies whether you’re delivering a letter or a package — and even if you were only on the property for a few seconds when the attack occurred.

In cases involving USPS workers, this law supports a potential third-party claim even if FECA is already providing workers’ comp benefits.

4. Negligence and Premises Liability for Non-Bite Injuries

Not all dog-related injuries involve a bite. Some delivery workers are hurt when a dog chases, lunges, or knocks them down, causing serious injuries like fractures, head trauma, or back injuries.

In these cases, you may still have a valid personal injury claim based on:

  • Negligence (failure to secure or restrain the dog)
  • Premises liability (unsafe property conditions that allowed the attack)

If the property owner failed to take reasonable steps to control their animal or protect visitors, they may be held civilly liable for the harm caused.

McGee Lerer Ogrin Represents Injured Delivery Workers — And We’re Ready to Help You

If you’ve been bitten or attacked by a dog while delivering mail or packages, you may have rights beyond workers’ comp — and real options for full compensation.

At McGee Lerer Ogrin, we know how to evaluate dog bite cases from every angle. That includes navigating the federal workers’ comp system for USPS employees, identifying when third-party lawsuits are viable, and securing meaningful recoveries that account for pain, suffering, scarring, and long-term losses.

Our firm has secured millions in compensation for injured victims, including clients injured while on the job. We’re recognized for our big firm firepower and small firm service, and our team includes former insurance adjusters who understand exactly how insurers evaluate and resist these claims.

With offices in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Pasadena, and Santa Monica, we serve delivery workers across L.A. County and beyond. If you’re a USPS carrier, Amazon driver, UPS employee, or any other delivery professional hurt by a dog, don’t navigate this alone.

Call (310) 231-9717 or contact us online to speak with a lawyer. We’re available 24/7 and offer FREE consultations.