Animal Bite Injury Claims

If you’ve been bitten by an animal while at work—on a farm, at a warehouse, or in any job where animals are present—you shouldn’t be left dealing with the fallout alone. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’ve been helping people across Tallaght and Dublin for over 20 years with straightforward, reliable legal support after workplace injuries.

Animal bites aren’t just physically painful—they can be traumatic, cause time off work, or lead to lasting health concerns. If your employer failed to provide a safe working environment, proper training, or adequate protective measures, you may be entitled to make a claim—and we’re here to help you do just that.

You’ll speak directly with an experienced solicitor who understands the law, your rights, and the reality of working life. No jargon, no runaround—just clear advice, steady guidance, and a team that puts your needs first.

Don’t wait. Contact John O’Leary Solicitors LLP today to start your claim and protect your future with the support of a team that’s local, trusted, and on your side.

How Animal Bite Injuries Happen at Work

Animal bites aren’t just rare accidents—they’re a known workplace risk in certain Irish jobs. From farmhands in rural settings to security guards in built-up areas, workers across many industries are exposed to animals as part of their normal duties. While most of these roles come with proper training and procedures, there are still far too many cases where the safeguards aren’t enough—or weren’t there at all.

At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’ve helped clients bitten in a range of settings. These injuries are more common than people think, and in many cases, completely preventable.

Common Settings for Workplace Animal Bite Injuries

Farming and agricultural roles are among the highest risk. Dogs, cattle, horses, and even pigs can bite when stressed or mishandled. Bites often happen when staff are rushing, under pressure, or expected to work alone with animals that should have been restrained.

Security and guard dog handlers also face risk, particularly if a dog hasn’t been properly trained, or if the employer has cut corners on handler safety, kennel maintenance, or rotation policies.

Vets, kennel workers, and animal groomers are at daily risk of bites and scratches—especially when employers haven’t provided proper protective equipment or clear protocols for dealing with difficult animals. Young or untrained staff are particularly vulnerable here.

Delivery drivers, postal workers, and tradespeople regularly enter properties where aggressive dogs are unrestrained. Even when these animals don’t “belong” to your employer, your employer has a duty to anticipate risks and give guidance or support, especially if other staff have been injured on similar routes.

When a Bite at Work Isn’t Just 'Part of the Job'

Many workers hesitate to speak up after an animal bite—particularly in farming, security, or casual jobs where they fear being blamed. But responsibility doesn’t fall on the person who was hurt. It falls on the employer who failed to prevent it.

If an animal is unpredictable, known to bite, or handled without proper training or equipment, your employer should have acted. That might mean better protocols, PPE, signage, or simply not exposing you to that risk at all.

We often speak to clients who were told the bite was their own fault, or something that just “happens” in their line of work. That’s not how Irish workplace safety law sees it.

Physical and Psychological Impact of Workplace Bites

Animal bite injuries can leave more than just visible scars. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’ve seen how these incidents affect not only the body but also the mind—and how long the consequences can last.

The physical injuries from bites range from mild to severe. Even a “small” bite can lead to infection if untreated, while more serious bites can involve deep puncture wounds, muscle or tendon damage, and nerve injuries. Many clients require stitches, antibiotics, tetanus shots—or even surgery in some cases. Certain areas, such as the hands, arms, face or lower legs, are particularly vulnerable.

Infections such as cellulitis, sepsis, or abscesses are common in untreated or delayed cases. We’ve helped workers who were unable to return to their job for weeks or months, depending on the healing process and the physical demands of their role.

Beyond the physical, there’s the emotional toll—which is often just as serious. It’s not uncommon for bite victims to experience anxiety, panic, or fear when returning to the same job or location, particularly if the animal involved is still present. Others develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress, especially where the attack was unexpected or aggressive.

Clients sometimes downplay these psychological effects at first. But when it becomes difficult to focus, sleep, or even approach animals again, the mental impact becomes undeniable. If your job involved regular animal contact—like farming or kennel work—this fear can affect your entire career.

Then there’s the reputational and emotional distress—especially in workplaces where bites are seen as a sign of carelessness. We’ve represented people who were made to feel at fault, dismissed, or pressured to work through pain without reporting the injury properly.

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. These impacts are valid, real, and recognised under Irish workplace law—and you’re entitled to take them seriously.

Employer Responsibilities Under Irish Workplace Law

In Ireland, employers have a legal duty to protect the health and safety of all workers—including those who face animal-related risks as part of their job. This duty is set out clearly in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and it applies whether you work in agriculture, security, animal care, delivery, or any other sector where animal contact is part of the role.

If you were bitten at work, the key question is: Did your employer take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent it? If not, they may be legally liable for your injury.

Legal Duties Employers Must Follow

Under Irish workplace law, your employer is required to:

Carry out proper risk assessments: Identify potential risks of animal aggression in the workplace and take appropriate preventative measures.
Provide adequate training: You should have been trained in how to safely handle or avoid animals in your work setting—whether that’s lifting a lamb or dealing with a guard dog.
Supply suitable personal protective equipment (PPE): For jobs involving animal contact, this may include gloves, boots, leg guards, or bite-resistant clothing.
Maintain a safe working environment: If an animal is known to be dangerous or unpredictable, your employer should have a clear policy in place to control the risk, such as using muzzles, restricting access, or employing trained handlers.
Respond appropriately to past incidents: If there were previous reports of animal aggression or near misses, your employer should have acted to prevent future harm.
Provide support after an incident: This includes access to medical care, time off to recover, and clear reporting processes—not blaming the employee or brushing it off.

When a Third Party Owns the Animal

Sometimes, especially in delivery or postal work, the animal involved isn’t owned by your employer. But that doesn’t automatically remove their responsibility.
If your employer:

—then they may still be found negligent.

Employers cannot ignore known hazards just because the risk technically lies elsewhere. Their duty of care includes protecting you from foreseeable dangers on the job.

When Negligence Becomes Clear

Even when an animal is unpredictable, most workplace bites occur because something was missed—a gate was left open, a handler wasn’t properly trained, or PPE wasn’t supplied. These aren't just workplace oversights. They’re legal failures. If your employer failed to protect you when they should have, they may be liable—and you have every right to seek legal advice.

Steps to Take After a Workplace Animal Bite

When you’re bitten by an animal at work, it’s easy to feel shaken, unsure, or even embarrassed. But your actions in the hours and days that follow can have a real impact—both for your health and any future claim.

Here’s a clear, practical guide on what to do:

Get Medical Attention Immediately

Even if the bite seems minor, always seek medical help. Animal bites carry a high risk of infection, and symptoms may worsen if untreated. You may need:

A tetanus booster
Antibiotics
Wound cleaning or stitches
Documentation for any potential complications (like nerve damage or scarring)

Make sure to ask your GP or doctor for a written diagnosis and record of treatment—these will be vital if you decide to bring a claim.

Report the Incident to Your Employer in Writing

Don’t assume others will document it for you. Notify your line manager, supervisor, or safety officer—in writing—as soon as possible.

Include:

The date, time, and location of the bite
What happened just before and after
Any details about the animal involved
Whether any witnesses were present

Ask for a copy of your report, or the workplace accident log, if one exists.

Preserve Any Evidence

If safe and appropriate to do so, try to:

Take photos of your injuries (on the day and as they heal)
Photograph the area where the bite occurred, if it shows unsafe conditions
Get the names and contact details of any co-workers who saw the incident or can vouch for your duties

Keep Track of Expenses and Symptoms

Hold on to:

Receipts for medical bills, prescriptions, or travel to appointments
Notes on how the injury affects your daily life (e.g. if you can’t drive, lift, or sleep properly)
Any communication from your employer about the incident

This helps build a clear picture of how the injury has affected you.

Speak to a Solicitor Early

Even if you’re unsure about claiming, early legal advice protects your options. A solicitor can advise whether your employer may be at fault and help you take the right steps without delay.

Proving the Employer Was at Fault

When it comes to workplace animal bite claims, one of the key challenges is demonstrating that your employer failed in their legal duty to protect you. But fault isn’t always about a single dramatic failure—it’s often about what wasn’t done: the safety measures that were skipped, the training that wasn’t provided, or the risks that were ignored.

You don’t have to prove everything yourself. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we help gather the right evidence to show exactly how your employer’s actions—or inactions—contributed to your injury.

What Makes an Employer Legally At Fault?

We’ll help identify whether your employer:

Knew or should have known the animal posed a risk
Failed to provide proper training on animal handling or avoidance
Didn’t supply appropriate PPE such as gloves, boots, or sleeves
Ignored previous incidents or complaints about the same animal
Allowed unsafe working practices to continue unaddressed

A single oversight might not be enough to win a claim. But when several small failures stack up, they often show a clear pattern of negligence.

Types of Evidence That Support Your Case

We’ll work with you to gather:

Medical reports detailing the injury and recovery
Accident reports filed with your employer
Photographs of the injury, workplace, or animal involved
Statements from witnesses or co-workers
Training records, risk assessments, or absence of either
Employer correspondence dismissing or downplaying the bite

Where needed, we’ll also consult independent medical experts or workplace safety professionals to support your case with clear, professional opinion.

When a Third Party Is Involved

If the animal belonged to a customer, landowner, or subcontractor, you may still have a valid claim. We’ll help assess whether your employer failed to act on a foreseeable risk, such as sending you to a property with a known dangerous dog.

Responsibility isn’t always straightforward but that’s exactly what we’re here to help with.

Time Limits

In Ireland, you generally have two years from the date of the animal bite—or from when you first became aware of the injury—to begin your claim. This is known as the statute of limitations, and it applies strictly to workplace accident claims, including those involving animal bites.

While two years might sound like plenty of time, it can pass quickly, especially if you’re recovering, managing time off work, or unsure whether the injury is serious enough to pursue. Delays in reporting, treatment, or gathering evidence can make claims harder to prove.

That’s why we strongly encourage anyone who’s been bitten at work to speak with a solicitor as early as possible. Even if you’re not sure about claiming, a brief conversation can help you understand your position, your rights, and your options—before time becomes a barrier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim if I’ve worked with the animal before without issue?

Yes. Even if the animal never showed aggression previously, your employer is still responsible for ensuring the environment remained safe. A bite doesn’t have to be predictable to be preventable.

What if I was bitten while working on someone else’s property?

You may still have a claim. If your employer sent you to a known-risk location without adequate warning, training, or PPE, they could still be held liable for failing to protect you from foreseeable harm.

Can I make a claim if I didn’t report the bite straight away?

Yes, but delays can complicate things. The sooner you notify your employer and seek medical help, the stronger your case will be. We can still assess your claim if some time has passed.

Am I entitled to claim if I’m self-employed but contracted to a company?

Possibly. If the company you worked under directed the job and exposed you to risk, they may still owe you a duty of care. Let us assess the working arrangement and liability.

What if I was partially at fault—for example, not wearing gloves?

You can still bring a claim. If your employer failed to enforce safety procedures, provide proper training, or monitor the workplace adequately, partial fault doesn’t bar compensation—it may simply affect the final award.

Can I claim for scarring or long-term disfigurement from a bite?

Yes. Scarring, especially to visible areas like the face or hands, is taken seriously in compensation cases and will be factored in alongside pain, trauma, and recovery time.

What if my employer told me not to file an incident report?

That’s a red flag. Employers are legally required to log workplace injuries. If they discouraged reporting, it may indicate negligence or liability concerns—something we can help document and address on your behalf.

Will a dog’s history (or lack of one) affect my case?

Not necessarily. Even if the animal had no history of aggression, your employer still had a duty to manage the risk. Claims often succeed even when the animal’s behaviour was “out of character.”

Talk to a Local Solicitor

If you’ve been bitten by an animal at work, don’t wait in silence. Speak directly with a local solicitor who’ll listen, advise, and act with your best interests in mind. Contact John O’Leary Solicitors LLP today to protect your rights and take the next step.