A man, his dog, and a neighbor’s cat had an apparently innocuous meeting in an apartment complex, but it ended with a nasty infection, two surgeries, and a sizeable compensation.
The incident and the subsequent legal struggle in Alexandria’s tight-knit neighborhood attracted widespread notice for its unexpected outcomes.
This fascinating personal injury case, in which eminent attorney Justin W. Curcio represented the plaintiff, highlights the unexpected perils of interacting with our furry friends.
The Fateful Encounter
The apartment complex’s resident plaintiff filed suit after his neighbor’s cat moved inside his unit without permission. When his dog attacked the cat intruder, the situation became more serious, and the plaintiff had to step in.
The scared cat bit and scratched his palm as he attempted to separate the two animals. The wounds might have appeared trivial at first, but the subsequent agony would change their lives forever.
The Escalation of Infection
The plaintiff’s hand continued to swell dramatically the day after the cat bite, prompting him to seek medical attention at an urgent care center.
His condition was rapidly deteriorating, and doctors were alarmed by the size of the swelling. They eventually discovered a bacterial infection and sent him to the emergency hospital.
As a result of this initial crisis, a chain of events unfolded over the course of the next few weeks, culminating in not one but two surgeries.
The Medical Odyssey
The cat bite infection was so persistent that it kept the plaintiff in the hospital for weeks. He was given a grim prognosis after being diagnosed with cellulitis, a severe bacterial skin infection, and given an equally daunting treatment plan.
For several weeks, he had to treat the infection at home with intravenous antibiotics through a PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line.
A second operation was required since the infection persisted despite these measures. The severity of the problems from the seemingly minor cat bite necessitated more surgery this time around, which was aimed at eliminating scar tissue from the initial lesion.
The Settlement
The plaintiff’s life was irrevocably altered, and as a result, a $300,000 payment was agreed upon. This figure not only compensated the plaintiff for the staggering $56,793 in medical bills he incurred as a result of the cat bite and illness, but also recognized the pain, suffering, and life-altering repercussions he faced as a result of the incident.
The Bottom Line
This story demonstrates how unexpected outcomes can arise from even the most ordinary encounters with animals. The plaintiff, whose life was turned upside down by a cat bite, serves as an example of the significance of being aware of potential dangers, acting quickly to address such dangers, and taking legal action if required.
The plaintiff’s attorney, Justin W. Curcio, did his client justice by negotiating a settlement that covered his medical bills and made up for the emotional toll this ordeal took on him and his family.
This strange incident that occurred in an Alexandria apartment building exemplifies the unpredictability of life and the importance of lawyers in ensuring that victims of wrongdoing be compensated for their losses.