Hattiesburg, MS asked in Personal Injury and Animal / Dog Law for Mississippi

Q: Neighbor's cat bit my hand. Have severe infection. Is cat's owner financially responsible for all medical bills?

I have the cat on security video walking up to me on 3/18/2023 at 5:13AM wanting to be petted. I petted him. Without provocation, he lunges at me and seizes my right hand and bites it several times all the while clawing my right arm with his hind feet. I pull away and the cat stands there looking at me as i go inside to get away from the cat. Have to stop the bleeding from a pierced hand vein. I'm now under a doctor's care for a severe hand infection and a torn tendon that won't let my index finger bend like it use to.

There is a remote possibility that I will be hospitalized if the infection gets into the bone and i need IV antibiotics. Doctor waiting for XRay results.

Owner of the cat told me he has impending debt of several thousand dollars on him from a repoed commercial mower. Can he get away without helping me to pay for possible hospital bills for what his cat did to me?

1 Lawyer Answer

A: Retain a personal injury attorney who can send a demand letter to the neighbor to obtain their Homeowners Insurance information. Your damages may be covered by their Home liability policy.

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