Chicago Animal Attack Attorneys - Article

Injuries from Cats

The most common form of animal attack lawsuit is filed by people who have been bitten or otherwise attacked by a negligent owner’s dog. Dogs are not the only popular house pet, however, and they are certainly not the only pet with claws and teeth. Although cat attacks are far less likely to be fatal, they can still cause real injuries that require medical treatment.

Cat Scratch Disease

Many people do not know that so-called “cat scratch fever” is an actual ailment. More commonly called “cat scratch disease” by medical professionals, it is a form of bacterial infection that cats can pass on to humans they bite, scratch or lick. The bacteria are called Bartonella henselae, and they are passed from infected fleas to cats, then sometimes to people.

Cat scratch disease does not usually cause symptoms in cats, but in humans it causes

• A sore at the injury site
• Fever
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Swollen lymph nodes

This disease does not always require treatment, but if it spreads to other areas of the body it can become very serious.

Causes of Cat Attacks

Cats are notoriously unpredictable. They may consent to being petted for a time, then suddenly turn on you. They may attack when they feel frightened or in pain. Sometimes there are warning signs, such as hissing, an arched back or dilated pupils. Sometimes there are not.

Cat attacks are especially dangerous to young children, who do not always know how to treat cats and are more likely to be struck in the face. If you or a loved one has been injured by a poorly supervised cat, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.

Contact Chicago animal attack attorneys Friedman & Bonebrake at 312-466-8200.