Principle Attorney
You’re walking up to a porch in Denver, package in hand, when a dog charges through an open door and sinks its teeth into your calf. For delivery drivers across Colorado, this scenario is all too common, and the injuries can be devastating. Under Colorado’s strict liability law, dog owners are responsible for serious bite injuries regardless of whether the dog has ever been aggressive before. A Denver dog bites lawyer at the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and more.
Why Are Delivery Drivers at High Risk for Dog Bites?
Delivery drivers face a uniquely high risk of dog attacks because their job requires them to approach unfamiliar properties multiple times a day. Dogs are territorial by nature, and a stranger walking up to the front door can trigger an aggressive response, even from a dog that has never bitten anyone before.
The scope of this problem is significant. According to the U.S. Postal Service, more than 6,000 postal employees were attacked by dogs in 2024 alone, an increase over prior years. That figure only accounts for USPS carriers. When you add gig economy drivers for services like DoorDash, Amazon Flex, Instacart, and Uber Eats, the total number of delivery workers encountering aggressive dogs each year is far higher.
Many of these attacks happen without warning. The dog may have no history of aggression, and the owner may not even be home at the time of the bite. Common injuries include deep lacerations, puncture wounds, broken bones, nerve damage, infections, and permanent scarring.
Who Is Liable When a Dog Bites a Delivery Worker in Colorado?
Colorado imposes strict liability on dog owners when a bite causes serious bodily injury. Under C.R.S. §13-21-124, a dog owner is liable for economic damages when their dog bites someone who is lawfully on public or private property, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous or whether the dog had ever been aggressive before.
This is critical for delivery drivers. You do not need to prove the owner was negligent, only that the bite caused serious bodily injury while you were lawfully performing your job. Serious bodily injury includes broken bones and injuries involving a substantial risk of long-term impairment.
For less severe injuries that do not meet the “serious bodily injury” threshold, Colorado courts apply a standard negligence analysis. In those cases, you may need to show the owner knew or should have known the dog posed a risk, such as prior complaints showing a history of lunging at visitors. A violation of local leash laws could also be used as evidence in a negligence claim.
Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies typically cover dog bite liability claims, which means compensation is often available even if the dog owner lacks personal financial resources.
Workers’ Compensation vs. Personal Injury Claims
Whether you can file a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit after a dog bite depends largely on your employment classification.
Traditional employees at companies like USPS, UPS, FedEx, or Amazon generally have access to workers’ compensation benefits, which cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. However, workers’ comp does not compensate for pain and suffering. If the dog owner’s negligence caused your injuries, you may also be able to pursue a separate personal injury claim against the dog owner to recover non-economic damages.
Gig workers present a different situation. Drivers for DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, and similar platforms are typically classified as independent contractors, which means they are not eligible for workers’ compensation through the delivery company. This leaves a personal injury claim against the dog owner as the primary path to compensation.
It is worth noting that employee misclassification is a growing area of dispute. Some drivers classified as independent contractors may actually meet the legal definition of an employee under Colorado law. If you were bitten while making a delivery and were denied workers’ comp benefits, an attorney can review your situation to determine whether your classification is correct.
What Should You Do After a Dog Bite While Delivering?
Taking the right steps after a dog attack protects both your health and your ability to pursue a claim.
- Seek medical attention immediately. Dog bites carry a high risk of infection from bacteria like Pasteurella and Staphylococcus. Even a wound that appears minor can lead to serious complications without prompt treatment.
- Report the incident. Notify your employer or delivery app platform right away. In Colorado, dog bites that break the skin must be reported to local animal control within 12 hours. The biting dog will be placed under a mandatory 10-day quarantine to monitor for rabies, regardless of its vaccination status.
- Document everything. Photograph your injuries, the location where the attack occurred, and the dog if possible. Write down the dog owner’s name and contact information, and get contact details from any witnesses.
- Preserve your evidence. Keep all medical records, receipts, delivery app logs showing you were on a delivery at the time, and any correspondence with the dog owner or their insurance company.
- Contact an attorney. There is a limited amount of time to file your claim under Colorado law. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible helps ensure your rights are protected and that critical evidence is preserved.
Dog bites and attacks can cause severe emotional trauma. An attorney can handle the aspects of a legal claim while you focus on healing.
Bitten by a Dog While Making a Delivery in Denver?
The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya has spent nearly 50 years fighting for injured Coloradans. We offer free consultations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact our team today to discuss your dog bite case with an experienced Denver injury attorney.