When a person is bitten by an animal in California, there are certain legal statutes in place that serve to guide the process for paying for any injuries. Most bite incidents involve a dog, but as the second-most popular household pet, cats have been known to bite and scratch people. While any bite or scratch incident is unfortunate, the medical and physical risks associated with a cat bite or scratch is not to be taken lightly.
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Cats are beloved pets for many people, but unfortunately, they can also bite and scratch. While these injuries are usually minor, they can still be painful and can lead to serious infections if not properly treated. When you have suffered an injury because of a cat bite or scratch in California, it’s important to know that you have legal options.
Working with our experienced animal bite lawyers at Maison Law can help you understand what your options are. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.
Why Do Cat Bite or Scratches Happen In California?
The fact is, a cat is like any other animal. They respond to different situations in different ways. As naturally curious animals with a strong instinct for hunting, cats can respond aggressively if they view you as a threat or prey. While there is no one overriding reason for a cat scratch or bite, here are some of the most common reasons they happen:
- Fear – One of the most common reasons for a cat to bite or scratch is a response of fear or aggression. When a cat feels threatened, it may bite or scratch as a means of trying to defend itself from the perceived threat. Usually, this can happen if the cat is approached too quickly or if it is touched in a sensitive area. To prevent this type of behavior, it is important to approach cats slowly and gently and to always respect their personal space.
- Play – Another common cause of cat bites and scratches is play. Cats are natural hunters, and they may bite or scratch during playtime as a way to simulate hunting behavior. This can be especially common in young cats, as they are still learning how to control their behavior.
- Illness or Pain – Cats can also bite or scratch as a sign of illness or pain. If a cat is in pain, it may become more aggressive and bite or scratch more easily. This can be caused by a variety of conditions, including dental problems, arthritis, and other chronic health issues.
When a cat bite or scratch happens, it is important to clean the wound immediately with soap and water, and then apply an antiseptic. If the wound is deep, it should be seen by a doctor. Cat bites and scratches can lead to serious infections if not treated properly.
Cat Bite and Scratch Injuries
Probably the biggest danger of cat bites and scratches is infection. When a cat bites or scratches you, its sharp teeth and claws easily puncture the skin, leaving small, yet deep wounds.
Then, the wounds rapidly seal with bacteria from the cat’s mouth or claws still in the wound. This leads to infections. Depending on the location and depth of the wound, the bacteria can spread in the surrounding skin or organs, causing a variety of injuries, like:
- Cat scratch disease – Also known as “cat scratch fever”, cat scratch disease (CSD) is one of the most common injuries from a cat scratch or bite. CSD is a bacterial infection spread by bites and scratches from an infected cat. The mild infection can occur between three and 14 days after the initial bite or scratch, with the infected area appearing swollen and red with round, raised lesions. A person with CSD may also present with a fever, headache, poor appetite, and exhaustion. If the disease goes untreated, it could eventually spread to the person’s lymph nodes.
- Lacerations – Depending on the size and weight of the cat, a cat scratch can cause deep lacerations. On top of any bacterial infection, the scratch itself can damage the skin, even causing permanent scarring.
- Facial injuries – The nature of most cat scratches or bites involves the cat biting or scratching your face. If the cat bites or scratches the wrong part of your face, it can cause other severe complications like vision loss, hearing damage, and partial paralysis of facial muscles.
Every cat bite or scratch brings with it unique circumstances. However, California law is clear on liability and what you can do if you suffered an injury from a cat bite or scratch.
Laws About Cat Bites in California
In California, cat owners–like dog owners–are responsible for any bite or scratch injury that their cat causes. Legally, this is known as“strict liability.”
Another important aspect of this law is “duty of care.” Under strict liability, the cat owner has the duty to prevent the animal from causing harm to others. This duty exists even if the owner doesn’t know that their cat is dangerous.
“One Bite” Law
While a cat’s owner is strictly liable under the law for any damage their cat causes, there is an exception. Unlike with dogs, California has a “one-bite” rule for cats. This means that a cat gets one “free” unprovoked bite or attack before an owner can be held liable.
The reason behind this exception is that cats are animals that are naturally curious and roaming, and are not dangerous if unprovoked (in most cases.)
Dedicated California Cat Bite Injury Lawyer Can Help You
Just because cat bites are less common than other animal bites doesn’t mean they are any less dangerous. At Maison Law, we know just how dangerous and impactful a cat bite or scratch injury can be for you and your family. If you have suffered an injury relating to one of these cat bites or scratches and would like to know more about what you can do about it, contact us today for a free consultation.
