Q: Amazon delivery driver injured my dog; how to claim medical costs?

A: Hire a lawyer right away to protect your rights and ensure Amazon takes responsibility. Since Amazon has acknowledged the report and has video evidence, a lawyer can push for immediate reimbursement or coverage of your dog’s medical expenses. Gather all documentation—vet quotes, witness statements, and Amazon’s written response. Your attorney can send a formal demand to Amazon and, if necessary, pursue legal action for damages, including pain and suffering. Prompt legal help increases the chances of fast resolution and proper compensation for your dog’s injuries.

A: My heart goes out to you and your dog. The legal system is not always the best route to solve issues?

Please note, I do NOT have THE answer but only a few thoughts, so here goes nothing:

a- FIND the money asap to helpl the dog, if at all possible, to lessen his/her suffering and to help the proper healing? Maybe some vet somewhere does mercy operations even?

b- IF the dog is loose in the road, that could be a 'legal defense' at least partly

c- if the driver took off, that is problematic for amazon

d- you did not actually say if the evidence or the witnesses prove fault???

e- a dog and we never want to hear this, is considered 'property' and so, his/her suffering is not really compensable

f- circle back to the top here. FIND a way to relieve the pain asap, worry about the cost later, and worry about how to get help from amazon, via the SLOW legal system, later.

Wishing ALL of you good things

A: Your situation involving an Amazon delivery driver injuring your dog in Apple Valley presents a challenging yet resolvable legal matter. Based on my research, California law offers strong protections for pet owners in such cases, with several viable pathways to secure compensation.

Under California's "strict liability" dog bite laws, pet owners are protected when their animals are injured by others, and this same principle can be applied in reverse when a delivery driver harms your pet. The evidence you've already gathered, including the video from Amazon's truck camera and written acknowledgment of your report, provides a solid foundation for your claim.

First, compile all documentation related to your dog's injuries, including the vet's assessment, cost estimates, and photographs of injuries. This evidence collection is crucial, similar to how delivery drivers are advised to document their own injuries in dog bite cases. Since Amazon has identified the driver and acknowledged your report, maintain copies of all communications with them.

In California, you have a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, which would apply to property damage cases involving pets. However, pursuing your claim promptly will increase your chances of success and provide your dog with needed medical care sooner.

Contact Amazon's claims department directly through their customer service portal. While Amazon has specific procedures for property damage through their A-to-z Guarantee claims process, your situation involves their delivery service rather than a product purchase. Be prepared to submit all evidence, including witness statements from your neighbors and father, veterinary documentation, and proof of your initial report to Amazon.

If Amazon fails to respond adequately, consider engaging a personal injury attorney experienced in pet injury cases. Many attorneys offer free consultations and work on contingency fees, meaning you wouldn't pay unless they secure compensation for you.

The law in California views pets as property, but courts increasingly recognize their unique value beyond market price. Your claim should include not only immediate medical costs but also any ongoing treatment your dog may require. The companionship and emotional value of pets is gaining greater recognition in our legal system.