A package delivered to a porch. Groceries carried to the front steps. A technician arriving for a scheduled repair. These routine visits can become dangerous in seconds when an unsecured dog reaches the person at the door.
For delivery drivers and service workers, a dog bite can mean more than a painful injury. Medical treatment, missed shifts, canceled appointments, and concerns about returning to work can affect both recovery and income.
If you were bitten while making a delivery or performing a service, the details surrounding your visit may be important when evaluating your legal options. Here is what to document—and why it matters.
Save the Delivery Instructions and Appointment Messages
After a dog attack, there may be disagreement about why you entered the property or where you were supposed to go.
Did the customer ask you to leave a package on the front porch? Were you instructed to enter a gate? Did a homeowner direct you to a side entrance for a repair appointment?
Delivery instructions, order confirmations, and messages can help establish the circumstances of your visit. Preserve:
- Screenshots of the delivery address and customer instructions.
- Appointment confirmations showing the date and time.
- Messages exchanged with the customer before and after the attack.
- Delivery or service records identifying the job.
If someone later disputes whether you were expected at the door, these records may help clarify what happened.
Being on Private Property Does Not Automatically Eliminate Your Rights
Do not assume you have no legal options simply because the bite happened in someone’s yard or on their porch.
Florida’s dog bite statute addresses bites that occur in public places and while a person is lawfully on private property. Express or implied invitations—and certain legally imposed duties—can matter when determining whether someone was lawfully present.
However, the law also includes defenses and exceptions. The circumstances of the visit and the attack still require careful review.
Dog bite laws differ by state. An incident in Georgia or New York must be evaluated under that state’s applicable law. A conclusion about a Florida incident should not automatically be applied elsewhere.
Preserve Doorbell and Security Camera Footage
Video may show more than the moment of the bite. A doorbell camera could capture whether someone opened the door, how the dog escaped, or whether you followed the customer’s instructions.
Nearby cameras may also record your approach to the property or what happened immediately afterward.
Tell your attorney promptly if you noticed cameras. Record their locations if you can do so safely, and ask about preserving relevant footage before it is overwritten or becomes unavailable. Keep any video you already have in its original form, along with related messages.
You do not need to return to an unsafe property to gather evidence. Your safety comes first.
Document How the Injury Affects Your Work
The impact of a dog bite may extend beyond the first medical bill. Follow-up care and medical restrictions can interfere with driving, carrying packages, using tools, or completing other job duties.
Keep records of:
- Missed shifts and canceled service appointments.
- Medical restrictions issued by your treating clinician.
- Earnings statements, invoices, and booking calendars.
- Medical bills and follow-up appointments.
For workers paid by the delivery or individual job, these records can help explain how time away from work affected earnings.
If the attack happened while you were working, report it promptly through your employer’s or delivery platform’s incident process. Your employment status and the circumstances of the incident may affect which claims or benefits should be evaluated. Do not assume that every worker has the same coverage or legal options.
Take Care of Your Health First
After a dog bite, move to a safe location and seek medical attention. Report the incident to the appropriate local agency, such as animal control, and keep a copy of any available report.
Once your immediate needs are addressed, preserve the records that explain the attack, the reason for your visit, and the injury’s effect on your daily life.
Talk With Kelleher Law About Your Options
If you were bitten while making a delivery or performing a service, Kelleher Law can review what happened, explain the applicable law, and help you understand your legal options.
Call 833-546-3675 for a free consultation.
This article provides general information, not legal advice. Each case depends on its facts and the applicable state law.
