Location: NY. Im gonna try to keep this post brief. A few days ago while walking into work I got into a verbal altercation with a random guy that resulted in him intentionally spitting in my face. His spit got in my eyes and mouth and it was so much that I had to wipe it off of my face with my hand.
I contacted my job security and the police. The police got his info and asked if I would like to press charges. I said yes.
That night I went to the ER to get checked out (something that was heavily recommended by the police). I got checked out and was completely fine.
2 days later I started to get a scratchy throat. Yesterday I woke up with a sore throat, extremely swollen tonsils, could barely swallow, etc. I went to the ER (same one as the last visit) and got extensive testing (including throat swabs and blood draws). The physicians concluded that I had “acute bacterial tonsillitis,” which can only be transmitted from person to person through saliva, sharing utensils, etc. I don’t share utensils with anyone because I got pneumonia a few years ago from doing just that. I have also been alone all week due to my job and family going away, so I haven’t been sharing dishes or anything like that.
The ER physicians sent out a throat culture and I got the results back today. The test concluded that I have an abnormally high amount of “streptococcus group c” bacteria in my throat. I also have to go back to the doctor in 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months in order to get more blood work for HIV and hepatitis testing.
It’s very obvious that my illness was caused by him spitting in my face. The officer assigned to my case informed me that the most he can be charged with is “Harassment in the 2nd Degree” even with all the documentation I have. What kind of charges can I pursue against him now that I am sick because of his actions? Even if I cannot pursue anything more on the criminal sides of things, what matters (if any) can I pursue civilly? Do I have grounds to sue him or even take him to small claims court? Would a lawyer even take this case? Any and all advice is welcomed and appreciated.