A Guide To Understanding Your Possible Injuries From A Cat Bite And The Options For Compensation
Posted on: 6 March 2017
Although it is common to associate dogs with accidental injuries, including bites, it is important to note that it is also possible to incur similar wounds and challenges from cats. In fact, due to a cat's hygiene habits and the bacteria often found in their sharp teeth, a scratch, bite or even being licked by a feline result can result in significant pain, infection and scarring. Therefore, if you have been injured by a cat that is not yours, it is a good idea to be aware of the following information.
Understanding The Severity Of the Injuries You Might Receive From A Cat
Even though a cat might be expected to curl up in your lap and snooze the afternoon away soon after meeting you for the first time, he or she can also leave you with some very unpleasant memories of your time together. For example, a recent report from the Mayo Clinic announced that over the preceding three-year period, approximately one out of three patients seeking care for a cat bite to their hand needed to be hospitalized for their treatment. In addition, two out three of those hospitalized patients required surgery.
The primary cause of that infection is a bacteria known as Bartonella henselae, which may also be known as B. henselae. It is present in an affected cat's claws, mouth, and teeth and infected persons can show symptoms as soon as three days after the event. The Center for Disease Control has stated that about four out of every ten cats will be afflicted with that bacteria at some point during their lifetime and rarely show any signs of that infection. Therefore, it is easy to see that a feline biting or scratching someone or licking an open wound, can quickly lead to a serious medical problem.
Planning For The Payment Of Your Medical Care And Related Expenses
Unfortunately, if your injury was received from a stray, unowned, or unknown cat, you will probably need to use your own health insurance and funds to pay for your medical care and to compensate for any missed time from work. However, if the event involved a cat that is owned by someone and happened on their property or if the cat was traveling with the owner at the time, you may be able to ask for reparations from the person who owned the cat or the property where the cat resides.
Homeowner's and renter's insurance policies often cover injuries from pets, up to a certain dollar amount. In order to have your claim approved, you should plan to report the event as soon as possible after it occurred and seek immediate medical care. If there is not insurance in place at the time, if the claim has been denied, or if your injuries exceed the coverage provided by that policy, you should plan to speak with a personal injury lawyer to determine what your legal rights and options are in your state.
In conclusion, cats can be charming, comforting and are often regarded as a pet that does not require an enormous amount of care. However, they are also capable of inflicting significant health concerns with a single scratch, bite and in some instances, lick. As a result, the information shared above is likely to be quite helpful if you have been seriously ill or scarred following an interaction with an owned cat on someone else's property. Contact a lawyer, like The Bernstein Law Firm, for more help.
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