Woman sues her own sister after cat bite led to an infection and costly medical bills
The woman is suing for $300,000 after the bite left her a large infection
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A woman in Michigan is suing her sister after her cat bit her and left her with a large infection and thousands of dollars in medical bills.
The incident at the center of the lawsuit happened on December 26. Terra Simpson, 48, was visiting her sister Samantha Scherer, 50, from Alabama in Michigan. Without reason, Scherer’s cat, named Zoey, bit her on her right wrist and left her with multiple puncture wounds.
Simpson’s arm swelled to three times the normal size. She suffered a severe reaction to the attack that required medical treatment to her right hand and arm, including surgical intervention, medications and physical therapy, according to the lawsuit.
Simpson says she had a cat allergy that her sister was aware of. She also said her sister also knew that the cat had a history of aggression and did not have updated vaccinations, according to a federal court filing last month.
Simpson argues that her sister had a duty to act with reasonable care in protecting visitors to her home from her cat and to provide the animal with basic veterinary care.
She is seeking up to $300,000 in damages related to her medical injuries and mental anguish.
One person who visited Scherer’s home, Amber Chaney, claimed she was bit by the cat when it was not provoked and it drew blood. Another visitor, David Mettert, said the same thing happened to him about three years ago, according to the suit filed in Michigan federal court
Simpson left the Michigan home and had to stop at urgent care on her way back to Alabama, according to the filing. She was seen at a clinic in Kentucky, where officials noted her puncture wounds. When she arrived in Alabama, she went to an emergency room where she stayed for eight days.
The woman’s breathing became labored and after failing to progress with IV antibiotics, she underwent surgery on December 30 for incision and drainage of abscess on her right hand and forearm, the documents state.
The woman has continued to attend physical therapy appointments. It remains unclear if she will ever be able to make a full recovery.
Zoey died from old age in March, according to The Detroit News. Scherer found out about the lawsuit from the newspaper and said she was not surprised by the filing given her sister’s current medical state.
“I’m not saying people should just go around and sue people, but it’s obvious with everything that she’s been through,” she said.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments