If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Get away from the animal. Call 911 if bleeding is heavy, the bite is on the face, neck or hands and deep, or you were mauled.
- 2Wash the bite gently with soap and running water, then cover it with a clean dressing.
- 3Get the bite checked by a clinician today, even if it looks small. Puncture wounds can be deeper than they appear.
- 4Find out what you can about the animal: owner, address, whether it is a farm animal, patient's pet, stray or wildlife, and whether vaccination records exist.
- 5Do not try to catch or handle the animal yourself. Let animal control or the owner do that.
- 6Tell your supervisor and report the bite in writing. Keep a copy.
- 7Photograph the wound and write down where it happened and who saw it.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Animal bites happen in many jobs: farm and ranch work, veterinary and shelter work, home health visits where a client has a pet, police and EMS calls, and utility or meter work. However it happened, report it to your employer in writing, describing the animal and the setting.
In many places, animal bites must also be reported to local health or animal control authorities. Your clinician or employer may help with that. Keep any report numbers.
A workers' compensation claim generally starts with your written report to your employer. Deadlines to report and file vary by state, so check with your state's workers' compensation agency as soon as possible.
Keep records of every visit, any follow-up shots or wound checks, and time missed. If the wound changes — more redness, swelling, warmth or pus — photograph it with the date.
Getting medical care
Urgent care, an emergency department or an occupational medicine clinic can evaluate a bite. A licensed clinician decides what is appropriate after an evaluation, which may include wound care, questions about tetanus and rabies risk, and follow-up checks. Deep hand bites are sometimes referred to a hand specialist.
Tell the clinician it happened at work and share everything you know about the animal. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first, so ask your employer or adjuster — but do not delay care for a bite to find out.
If you are prescribed medication, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Many can be filled locally or delivered to your home. Finish any instructions your clinician gives and go back if the wound looks worse.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- The bite caused serious injury, an infection that needed hospital care, nerve damage or scarring.
- The animal belonged to a customer, client or property owner, which may raise third-party questions.
- Your claim is denied because the bite is described as outside your duties.
- You have lasting fear or anxiety around animals that affects your work.
- You cannot use your hand fully and there are disputes about specialist care.
- You were discouraged from reporting the bite.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Follow wound care instructions closely and keep follow-up appointments. Watch for spreading redness, fever, or numbness and get seen promptly if they appear.
Ask your doctor about restrictions, like keeping a hand bite dry or avoiding animal handling while it heals. Ask your employer whether you can do other tasks meanwhile.
It is normal to feel jumpy around animals after a bite. If it does not ease, tell your clinician; a referral to behavioral health is an option. Keep your employer and adjuster updated.
Questions to ask
- Doctor: Does this bite need follow-up for infection, tetanus or rabies risk?
- Doctor: What signs of infection should bring me back right away?
- Employer: Who owns the animal, and is its vaccination history known?
- Employer: Has the bite been reported to local authorities?
- Adjuster: What is my claim number, and do I need to see a particular provider?
- Adjuster: How are follow-up shots and wound checks handled?
- Attorney: The animal belonged to a client. Does that change my options?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I was bitten by an animal at work?
Wash the bite with soap and running water, cover it and get it checked by a clinician the same day. Call 911 for serious bites or heavy bleeding. Report it to your employer in writing and gather information about the animal.
Do I need a rabies shot after being bitten at work?
Only a licensed clinician can decide that, based on the animal, the bite and local risk. Share everything you know about the animal and whether it can be watched or tested. Do not wait to get evaluated.
Is an animal bite at work covered by workers' comp?
Animal bites that happen while you are doing your job are often handled through workers' compensation, depending on your state and situation. Report it in writing right away. Check deadlines with your state's agency.
A client's dog bit me during a home visit — what now?
Get the bite cleaned and checked, report it to your agency in writing and note the client's address and the dog's details. The owner may be asked about vaccination records. A third party's animal may raise questions beyond workers' compensation.
How do I know if an animal bite is infected?
Common warning signs include spreading redness, swelling, warmth, pus, red streaks or fever. If you notice any of these, get seen promptly. Your clinician can tell you what to watch for.
Should I report a small animal bite?
Yes, even small bites are worth reporting in writing and having checked. Bites can become infected, and the animal's health status matters. A record made now helps if problems develop.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).