Marsalis v. LaSalle

Marsalis (plaintiff) was bitten or scratched by a cat belonging to LaSalle's (defendant) minor son while shopping in LaSalle's store. Marsalis asked LaSalle to keep the cat under observation for about two weeks to check for rabies, and LaSalle agreed, but the cat escaped a few days later. On her doctor friend's advice given the escape, Marsalis underwent about fourteen rabies treatments administered by the friend at his home, and she turned out to be allergic to them, suffering severe complications. Marsalis sued LaSalle, arguing that if the cat hadn't escaped the treatments would have been unnecessary and she would have avoided her allergic injuries. The trial court found LaSalle negligent and awarded Marsalis $3,000, and LaSalle appealed.