* **Health First:** Treat the wound immediately. Infection risk is high. * **Report Immediately:** Call your supervisor within minutes. Delaying creates suspicion. * **Get a CA-16:** If you need medical attention, demand this form. It guarantees payment for treatment. * **Documentation:** Pictures of the wound, the dog, the location. Write a statement while it's fresh. It's the nightmare scenario. You're walking up a driveway, you hear the jingle of a collar, and before you can get your satchel around, *snap*. Adrenaline kicks in. You're hurt, you're angry, and you're worried. "Am I going to get in trouble?" "Is it bad?" "Do I need stitches?" Here is the hard truth: **Management often treats dog bites as 'preventable accidents'.** If you don't follow the exact protocol, they might try to discipline you for "unsafe acts" or deny your medical claim. Don't panic. Follow these steps to protect your health and your career. ## The Golden Hour: What to Do Immediately ### 1. Secure the Area Get to a safe place immediately. Back away slowly—do not run. Use your satchel as a shield if the dog is still aggressive. Use your spray if necessary. ### 2. Assess and Treat Look at the wound. If it broke the skin, you need to wash it with soap and water immediately. Dog mouths are full of bacteria. ### 3. Notify Management **Do not wait until you get back to the office.** Call your supervisor *now*. "I have been bitten by a dog at [Address]. I am injured." > **Warning:** If you continue delivering mail for two hours and then report it, they will ask, "If you were hurt, why didn't you stop?" ![A USPS letter carrier on a cell phone looking serious, reporting an incident](/images/blog/dog-bite-reporting.png) ## The Paperwork: CA-1 vs. CA-16 This is where most carriers get tripped up. Know your forms. ### CA-1 (Notice of Traumatic Injury) This is *your* claim form. You fill this out on ECOMP (Dept of Labor site) or on paper to officially register the injury. * **Tip:** Be descriptive. "I was walking up the path, using my satchel as per training, when a dog burst through the screen door." ### CA-16 (Authorization for Examination) **This is the most important form for your doctor.** You must ask management for a **CA-16** *before* you go to the doctor (or within 48 hours). This form tells the doctor "USPS will pay for this visit." Without it, you might get stuck with the bill or have to fight insurance. Management *must* provide this if you request medical treatment within a week of injury. ### COP (Continuation of Pay) If the doctor takes you off work, you are entitled to **45 days** of Continuation of Pay (COP). This means you keep getting your regular query check without burning your sick leave. You must check the box for COP on your CA-1. ## Avoiding Discipline Management loves to issue discipline for dog bites. They will cite "Failure to use satchel" or "Failure to be aware of surroundings." **Your Defense:** 1. **Satchel:** "I had my satchel on my shoulder and attempted to maneuver it." (Unless you didn't have it, in which case... always wear your satchel!). 2. **Surroundings:** "No dog warning card was in the case. No dog alert on the scanner." 3. **No Distractions:** "I was not wearing headphones. I was not on my phone." If they issue an II (Investigative Interview), **request a steward immediately.** ![A USPS letter carrier sitting at a desk with a union steward, filling out a form together](/images/blog/dog-bite-paperwork.png) ## Common Carrier FAQs
The owner wants to pay me cash not to report it. Should I take it? +
ABSOLUTELY NOT. If the wound gets infected later (which is common), you will have no record of the injury on the job. No OWCP coverage. You are on your own. Always report it.
Can I sue the dog owner? +
Generally, yes. This is a "Third Party Claim." You can file for workers' comp (OWCP) and pursue a civil suit against the homeowner's insurance. However, the Dept of Labor will want to be reimbursed for what they paid you from your settlement. Consult a personal injury lawyer who knows federal employees.
My supervisor refused to give me a CA-16. +
This is a serious violation. Go to the doctor anyway (use your health insurance for now if you have to, but tell them it's work-related). Call your National Business Agent or Branch President immediately.
Does the dog get put down? +
That is up to local Animal Control, not USPS. Usually, a first bite results in a quarantine to check for rabies. USPS will likely suspend delivery to that house (and possibly the block) until the threat is resolved.

Keep the Soup Hot! 🍲

Safety isn't just a slogan. If you see a loose dog on your swing, warn the T6 or the CCA covering it. Use your Warning Cards! Share this to remind your brothers and sisters to protect themselves.

References & Resources

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