Personal injury claims that involve animals most typically involve injuries caused by dogs. This makes sense since dogs are larger, and tend to be more territorial about their property. Dogs can also be trained to be aggressive towards strangers. Dogs that do attack tend to cause more damage as well due to their size and bite capabilities.
However, dogs are not the only pet that can harm a person enough to require medical attention. While relatively uncommon, cats can attack for no clear reason, and the injuries can be severe. And while these cases are rare, it doesn’t mean that a lawyer won’t take your personal injury claim seriously. Like other animal attacks, you’ll have to be able to prove certain legal requirements to pursue your claim further.
Negligence
In general, cats are more likely to flee or hide when facing a situation where they may feel threatened. On rare occasions, the cat may feel the need to attack, which can include biting and scratching. A well-placed scratch could cause significant injury, especially to vital areas of the face such as the eyes, nose, and lips. When it comes to animal attacks, you need to be able to prove that it was a result of negligence on the owner’s part.
Negligence involves a pet owner knowing their cat has aggressive tendencies but still allowing others inside or near their home. If a person is bitten or clawed at, and the owner knew this was likely but didn’t keep the cat contained elsewhere, this could be considered negligence on their part.
Should I Pursue a Claim?
While it may not be as severe as a dog attack, a cat attack can still cause injury and trauma. Cats require certain shots to prevent the spread of diseases that could inflict and endanger humans. If your circumstance resulted in injury that required medical attention, it is best to speak with a qualified attorney to determine if you have any grounds for a successful case. If you’ve been injured by the negligence of any pet, don’t hesitate to contact us.
