#dogbiteclaim

A routine delivery can turn serious in seconds. One moment you’re dropping off a package, the next you’re dealing with a dog bite injury. If this happens, it’s important to act quickly and protect both your health and your legal rights.

Dog bites involving delivery drivers are more common than most people think. Workers from UPS, FedEx, Amazon, and food delivery services report thousands of incidents each year. Many victims don’t realize they may be entitled to compensation under Missouri and Illinois law.

Get Medical Care Right Away

Even minor bites can lead to infection or deeper injuries. Seek medical attention the same day. This not only protects your health but also creates documentation that can support your claim.

Report the Incident

File a report with local animal control or law enforcement. This creates an official record of what happened, including the location, time, and details of the attack.

Document the Scene

If possible, take photos of your injuries, the dog, and the surrounding area. Collect the dog owner’s contact information and speak with any witnesses. If there are security cameras nearby, note their location.

Be Careful with Insurance Companies

Dog owners or their insurance providers may reach out quickly. Avoid giving detailed statements or accepting early settlement offers. These offers are often lower than what your case may actually be worth.

Know Your Rights in Missouri and Illinois

Both Missouri and Illinois follow strict liability laws for dog bites. This means the dog owner can be held responsible, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before. As a delivery driver, you were lawfully on the property, which strengthens your claim.

Compensation May Include

Victims of dog bites may recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, ongoing treatment, pain and suffering, and permanent scarring. Each case is different, but early legal guidance can make a significant difference.

Take Action Early

Missouri generally allows five years to file a claim, while Illinois allows two years. However, acting quickly helps preserve evidence and strengthens your case.

Understanding Dog Bite Laws in Missouri and Illinois

Both Missouri and Illinois follow strict liability laws for dog bites. In simple terms, this means a dog owner can be held responsible for injuries caused by their dog, even if the animal has never shown aggression before.

For delivery drivers and couriers, this is especially important. You were lawfully on the property while performing your job duties, which strengthens your legal position.

You do not need to prove that the owner knew the dog was dangerous. If the dog bit you while you were making a delivery, the responsibility typically falls on the owner.

Award-Winning Personal Injury Lawyer Recognized for Excellence in Missouri

At Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers, our results speak through the voices of our clients and now, through the honors we’ve earned in the community. Tyson Mutrux was proudly awarded Best Attorney in Columbia for 2025 by Inside Columbia Magazine, a recognition that reflects not only legal skill but also the deep trust of those we serve in Missouri.

A lawyer’s reputation speaks volumes about their ability to handle cases effectively. Whether you need legal representation for a personal injury claim, car crash settlement, dog bite claim, slip and fall or any other legal matter, choosing an attorney with a proven track record is essential.

Reading online reviews, client testimonials, and industry recognitions can help you gauge a lawyer’s credibility. Tyson Mutrux has built a strong reputation in Missouri, earning a 10.0 Superb rating on Avvo and recognition from Expertise as one of the Best Medical Malpractice Lawyers in St. Louis (2020).

Additionally, he has been honored by The National Trial Lawyers’ “Top 40 Under 40” for his dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes for his clients. His attention to detail, strong communication skills, and history of satisfied clients are reflected in numerous positive Google reviews.

You can also connect with us directly on Google to see reviews, updates, and more:

Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers – St. Louis

Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers – Columbia

We serve clients across Missouri and Illinois, with dedicated offices in St. Louis and Columbia.

Get Legal Help After a Dog Bite

If you were injured while making a delivery, speaking with a dog bite lawyer can help you understand your options and protect your rights.

If you've been injured in a dog attack - whether you're bitten, suffered facial scarring, psychological trauma, or even more serious harm— RU1NJURED can help you seek the compensation you deserve. Whether it's a minor nip or tragic consequences, dog owners (or those in control of the animal) are legally responsible for keeping them safe and under control. You may qualify for meaningful payouts through No Win, No Fee claims, covering both:

General damages for pain, suffering, and emotional distress.

Special damages for medical treatment, lost earnings, rehabilitation, care, travel, and future impact.

Homeowners’ insurance companies paid out $797 million in homeowners’ insurance dog bite claims in 2018, up 16.7% from the previous year, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Dog bites are the most common homeowners insurance liability claim and are getting more expensive. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost of a dog bite claim has increased more than 67% over the past decade, from $32,072 in 2008 to $53,982 in 2018.

If you have a dog, it’s important to ensure you’re properly covered in case your dog bites someone. But even if you don’t have a dog, you could still be liable if a dog bite occurs on your property. There are a few homeowner’s insurance policies, and not all provide coverage for dog bites. If you have a dog, you’ll need to ensure you have the proper coverage to protect yourself from financial liability.

Dog Bite Claim and Homeowners Insurance

When it comes to homeowners’ insurance, one of the most common questions is: “Does my policy cover dog bites?” The answer is maybe. Some homeowners’ insurance policies will cover dog bites, while others will not. It all depends on the specific language of your policy.

If you’re not sure whether your policy covers dog bites, the best thing to do is give your insurance company a call and ask. They’ll be able to tell you for sure whether you’re covered. And if you’re not covered, they may be able to offer you some alternative options.

No matter what, it’s always a good idea to have at least some kind of coverage in place in case your dog does bite someone. That way, you can avoid any costly out-of-pocket expenses.

Common Dog Bite Claims Mistakes

Not Knowing Your Homeowners Insurance Policy Limits One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is that they does not know their policy limits. Your homeowners’ insurance policy will have limits on the amount of coverage it provides for dog bites. If you have a dog, you’ll need to ensure a policy that provides adequate coverage for dog bites. The average cost of a dog bite claim is more than $50,000, so you’ll need to ensure you have at least $100,000 in coverage.

Not Implementing A “No Tolerance” Policy for Dog Bites Another mistake homeowners make is not implementing a “no tolerance” policy for dog bites. If you have a dog, you need to make sure that you have a policy that doesn’t allow your dog to bite anyone.

Not Disclosing Your Dog to Your Homeowners Insurance Company Another mistake homeowners make is not disclosing their dog to their homeowners’ insurance company. If you have a dog, you need to make sure you disclose it to your insurance company so that you’re properly covered in the event of a dog bite.

Conclusion

Yes, you can file a dog bite claim for provoked dog bites. You may have a case if you can demonstrate that the dog, in this case, was provoked into attacking you, such as when it was teased or when you attempted to remove it from an object it was attacking. Keep in mind that even if the dog was not provoked, you may still be able to file a claim if you can prove that the owner was aware that the dog was dangerous and failed to take appropriate precautions.

What Is Dog Bite Claim?

Injured by a dog in any state? You may be able to file a dog bite claim. The claim will depend on the specifics of the incident, but certain factors are always considered. A dog bite claim for a provoked dog bite is filed when the injured party can demonstrate that they did not provoke the animal and were legally in a public place or on private property at the time of the attack.

Each state has three types of laws pertaining to animal bites: strict liability, negligence, and intentional tort.

Strict Liability The owner of an animal is automatically responsible for any damage their pet causes, regardless of the circumstances. This statute applies to all domesticated animals, whether or not they are on a leash.

Negligence Laws Owners are held liable under negligence laws if they fail to take reasonable measures to restrain their pets or prevent them from biting people. Owners can be sued if they know their pet is dangerous but fail to protect it.

Intentional Tort Laws Intentional tort laws imply that the owner provoked the animal or did something else to cause the injury.

Can You File A Provoked Dog Bite Claim In California?

Yes, in California, you can file a provoked dog bite claim. Under Section 3342(a) of the California Civil Code, the owner of a dog is liable for damages incurred by any person bitten by the dog, regardless of the dog’s previous viciousness or the owner’s knowledge of its viciousness. To succeed in a provoked dog bite claim, you must demonstrate that the dog owner knew, or should have known, that their dog had the propensity to bite or attack humans.

California Dog Bite Laws

In California, dogs are considered “property,” making it difficult to sue their owners for dog bites. Under section 3342 of the California Civil Code, the dog owner is only liable for the victim’s damages if the victim can prove that the owner knew or should have known of the dog’s vicious propensities. This can be challenging, as most dogs have no history of biting.

Conclusion

Homeowners’ insurance companies paid out $797 million in homeowners’ insurance dog bite claims in 2018, up 16.7% from the previous year, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Dog bites are the most common homeowners insurance liability claim and are getting more expensive. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost of a dog bite claim has increased more than 67% over the past decade, from $32,072 in 2008 to $53,982 in 2018.

If you have a dog, it’s important to ensure you’re properly covered in case your dog bites someone. But even if you don’t have a dog, you could still be liable if a dog bite occurs on your property.

There are a few homeowners’ insurance policies, and not all provide coverage for dog bites. If you have a dog, you’ll need to ensure you have the proper coverage to protect yourself from financial liability.

Keep reading to learn about the biggest dog bite claim mistakes homeowners make and how to avoid them.

Dog Bite Claim and Homeowners Insurance

When it comes to homeowners insurance, one of the most common questions is: “Does my policy cover dog bites?” The answer is maybe. Some homeowners’ insurance policies will cover dog bites, while others will not. It all depends on the specific language of your policy.

If you’re not sure whether or not your policy covers dog bites, the best thing to do is give your insurance company a call and ask. They’ll be able to tell you for sure whether or not you’re covered. And if you’re not covered, they may be able to offer you some alternative options.

No matter what, it’s always a good idea to have at least some kind of coverage in place in case your dog does bite someone. That way, you can avoid any costly out-of-pocket expenses.

Common Dog Bite Claims Mistakes:

Not Knowing Your Homeowners Insurance Policy Limits One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is that they does not know their policy limits. Your homeowners’ insurance policy will have limits on the amount of coverage it provides for dog bites. If you have a dog, you’ll need to ensure a policy that provides adequate coverage for dog bites. The average cost of a dog bite claim is more than $50,000, so you’ll need to ensure you have at least $100,000 in coverage.

Not Keeping Your Dog Up-to-Date on Vaccinations Another mistake homeowners make is not keeping their dogs up-to-date on vaccinations. If your dog bites someone, your homeowners’ insurance policy will likely exclude coverage if your dog is not up-to-date on vaccinations.

Not Implementing a “No Tolerance” Policy for Dog Bites Another mistake homeowners make is not implementing a “no tolerance” policy for dog bites. If you have a dog, you need to make sure that you have a policy that doesn’t allow your dog to bite anyone.

Not Disclosing Your Dog to Your Homeowners Insurance Company Another mistake homeowners make is not disclosing their dog to their homeowners’ insurance company. If you have a dog, you need to make sure you disclose it to your insurance company so that you’re properly covered in the event of a dog bite.

Not Keeping Your Dog Under Control One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is not keeping their dogs under control. If you have a dog, you must always ensure you keep it under control. This includes keeping it on a leash when it’s outside and ensuring it doesn’t have access to guests.

Contact and Visit us at Oracle Law

At Oracle Law, we understand the ins and outs of dog bite claims and homeowners insurance policies. We can help you navigate the process and ensure you have the coverage you need.