BITTEN OR SCRATCHED BY CAT INFECTED – MN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
Our client was at a pet store in Minnesota when a cat escaped from a cage. The store manager said he was allergic to cats, so our client offered to help get the cat back. She grasped the kitten’s scruff and placed a soft blanket over it. Unfortunately, the manager was nervous and started pacing and making noise. This scared the kitten. The cat started growling and hissing, biting and scratching our client.
Our client later learned that the kitten had been out of its cage for over an hour and a half before she arrived. The manager had been chasing down the kitten the entire time. Also, the kitten had been acting fearful and aggressive much of that time. Our client would never have offered to assist if she had known the true situation.
INJURED BY CAT BITE /ATTACK MN LAWYERS
As a result of the cat bite, our client sustained multiple bites and scratch marks over her hands. She also suffered from pain, bruising, and swelling. She left Chuck & Don’s and drove herself to the Minute Clinic where she was examined and released. Her hands were so painful she had to use her wrists to drive. At Minute Clinic, she was told that topical antibiotics were all that were needed. However, she was advised to follow up with her primary care provider if symptoms did not improve.
Unfortunately, symptoms from the cat bite and being scratched worsened over the next 24 hours. She then went to an urgent care, where an examination showed multiple puncture wounds and several scratches to both hands. The examination also showed redness, swelling and tenderness. In addition, she also had a low-grade fever. She was told of the high risk of infections with cat bites and possible complications. The PA prescribed antibiotics and told her to follow up with her primary care provider or emergency room if she developed a higher fever. Likewise, if there was spreading redness, increased swelling, or she was unable to move her hand or fingers. In that situation, she would likely need IV antibiotics.
MEDICAL BILLS FROM CAT BITE
Several days later, there was swelling in multiple areas of the right hand and fingers, with tenderness over the puncture wounds. She was unable to fully extend her finger due to pain. Given the severity of infection and possible involvement of the flexor tendon, immediate hospital admission was recommended. She was diagnosed with infectious flexor tenosynovitis and 2nd web space collar button infection. This was all because of being bitten by this cat. She was immediately started on IV antibiotics.
Her left hand symptoms showed improvement with the antibiotics, but the infection in the right hand was critical and required surgery. She remained hospitalized for 3 days.
INFECTION FROM CAT BITE
Following her hospitalization, she required follow-up care for her infection and the surgical incisions. At this point, she had significant medical bills from the cat bite and decided to call a lawyer. Even after she was weaned off the antibiotics, she continued to suffer from right hand and finger pain, stiffness, swelling and weakness, as well as numbness.
Her immune system was severely compromised by the serious infection she developed from the cat bites. In addition, she continued to experience fatigue, weakness, joint pain, and generally did not feel like her normal healthy self. She was placed on prednisone for her joint pain. Two months later, she became very ill and developed a fever of 102 degrees, sore throat, and cough. Then she was diagnosed with oral and vaginal thrush. Because of concern of a recurrent infection from the cat bite, lab work was performed which showed some abnormalities. It took her several months to improve.
A year later, she continues to have symptoms in her right hand/finger (her dominant hand) because of being bitten and scratched by this cat. When it’s cold, her right index finger will go completely numb and feel tingly and painful. She has difficulties doing many things without pain, such as writing, as squeezing a pen is really hard and it increases her symptoms. She also has difficulties opening jars of food, typing, and even holding a utensil can be painful. Even brushing her teeth, washing her hair, and getting dressed are still difficult for her.
LAWYERS FOR CAT BITE MN
Fortunately, our cat bite lawyers were able to get this client compensation to pay for her medical bills, lost time from work, and more. Pam Rochlin and David Rochlin are MN personal injury lawyers with more than 25 years’ experience. Our attorneys represent people injured by cats, dogs, and other animals throughout Minnesota. The owner of a cat or other animal needs to keep their cat under control. Then, they must take responsibility if the cat gets out and bites or scratches someone. If you have been injured because you were scratched by a cat or bitten and have developed an infection or other serious injury, call us for a free consultation with a top MN personal injury lawyer.