Cat Scratch Fever: The Unusual Case of a Cat Bite Leading to a $300,000 Settlement

In personal injury law, dog bites tend to get the share of attention due to their frequency and the terrible injuries they can inflict. A recent case handled by Alexandria, VA  attorney Justin W. Curcio, however, points to the lesser-known realm of cat bites. The case was distinctive in many ways, ending with the extraordinary $300,000 settlement.

The main focus of the incident revolved around an altercation that occurred between the complainant’s dog and an outdoor cat belonging to another tenant living in the same apartment building. The cat had ventured into the complainant’s apartment, and out of fear of injury to the cat from his dog, he decided to retrieve the cat and return her to the outside. Through the process of removing her, the tenant was bitten multiple times and received several scratches as the animal reacted to the dog being on the premises.

At first, he thought his injuries were minor, a belief that would soon be proven wrong. Unlike the quick and obvious effects of dog bites, cat bites are slow to reveal their danger. The day after his brush with the cat, the man’s hand started swelling alarmingly, and he had to visit a clinic. The injury was much worse than he originally thought. He was diagnosis with a bacterial infection requiring emergency surgery to remove the infected tissue and necessitating a prolonged hospital stay.

Although cat bites lack the intensity of dog bites, they have a propensity for infection as shown above. On the daily, the plaintiff had to use a PICC line for  antibiotics and a second surgery was necessary to address significant scarring that developed.

This case highlights Attorney Justin W. Curcio’s talent for navigating unfamiliar territory and crafting individualized strategy for each of his cases within personal injury law. We commend Justin W. Curcio for his excellent work.