Case study of a compensation claim made by an Amazon delivery driver bitten by a dog
If you are an Amazon delivery driver bitten by a dog or a delivery driver for any other company who has been attacked then call our free legal helpline for a case assessment and details of no win, no fee funding. Call 0333 888 0435 or email us at [email protected]
K, a self employed Amazon delivery driver, recently called our free legal helpline for advice.
While making a delivery to a house he had been bitten by a dog. He had arrived at the property to find the family outside with their German shepherd. He stopped about 20 feet away from them and explained that he had a parcel. As a result of coronavirus social distancing guidance he put the parcel on the floor and moved back so that the house occupier could collect it. She came towards K and the dog came with her. With no warning the dog attacked K and bit him on his thigh.
The dog owner was very apologetic and helped clean the wound with a wet paper towel. She gave him a bandage to cover the bite so that he could continue on his way. He went to Basingstoke Hospital where the dog bite was dressed. He was prescribed a course of antibiotics to protect from infection.
K then contacted us about making a dog bite compensation claim and we agreed to deal with it for him on a No Win, No Fee basis.
We contacted the dog’s owner to notify them that a formal compensation claim was being made. The dog owner sensibly passed the letter to their insurers.
The insurance company initially rejected the claim on the mistaken basis that the dog had never shown aggressive behaviour before. We pointed out to them that under English law dog owners are, in the vast majority of cases, legally responsible if their dog bites someone; even if it is the first time they have ever done so.
The insurers also tried to blame the delivery driver himself, saying he had startled the dog by wearing a PPE face covering. We firmly rejected such arguments and made it clear that if the insurance company was not prepared to deal with the claim then court proceedings would be commenced.
The insurance company adopted a sensible approach when they realised we were experts in dog bite claims and very familiar with the law. They knew too that they risked having to pay the cost of any court proceedings as well as the compensation due. They therefore made an offer of compensation which the delivery driver accepted and the claim was settled out of court.