I'm sure someone with legal knowledge will answer this question with more specific details. Since you can't make your neighbor sign an agreement stating your obligation to pay this amount, you need to get their signature accepting what you pay as the "final payment with no right to recourse" by putting a statement above the endorsement line on the back of your check paying them for this medical expense. Here's one example to type on the back of your check: "Your signature below is acceptance of full and final settlement against all further claims on this incident." This is similar to what all insurance claim checks have above the endorsment line to finalize claims. In addition, you might want to contact your insurance agent to find out if the incident is covered by your homeowners policy, which will relinquish you from having to pay anything out of pocket. Also, you might want to consider using a either a cashiers or certified check to prevent some bank mishap causing your personal check to bounce for no reason and you being sued for that . . . Cause you never know! Be sure you keep all the paperwork on this incident for years to come. You know the whole CYA thing - Cover Your Ass! Oh, and post a warning sign for your attack cat too! (I have a 6 pack of catz myself! All indoor, with 1 who's very nasty.) Good Luck!

Some people are greedy and will keep coming back for more. pay the medical bills, with the condition in writing, that this is the end of your liability, concerning the cat bite. you cannot make this person sign this agreement, but at least make the effort. it will look good in court, if a future lawsuit develops.

Contact an attorney! your neighbors legal options could be more than you realize. Most attorneys will draft a binding legal document for a fraction of what you may have to pay later.

The way insurance companies do it is to withhold payment of damages until an agreement is signed certifying that the amount paid covers 100% of all damages. If you already paid for the treatment, which was reasonable, you may have given away a fair chunk of your leverage.