Protect Your Pet

Whether it is man’s best friend or the fattest cat on the block, for many of us our pets are members of the family. Like for all of our loved ones, their health and well being is of the utmost importance. We put their care in the hands of veterinarians we trust to be professional and ethical. Unfortunately, as with other areas of medicine, there are those practitioners whose negligence results in injury or harm to your four legged friend.

The law, as it currently stands, is not very pet friendly. However, veterinarians are responsible for loss of, injury to, or the death of your pet as a result of their negligence or abuse. Most small claims courts will award the amount that a purebred animal is worth, or the fees to adopt a mixed. In a civil suit, you could recover punitive damages against the defendant, depending on the details of your case.

Preventing Veterinary Malpractice

Hopefully you and your pet will never have to arrive to this point. Follow these guidelines when selecting a vet to ensure your pouch receives the best care and does not fall victim to veterinary malpractice.

• Ask around. Pet owners, breeders, and animal rescue centers have an insight on which vets do right by their companions.
• Check accreditation. Contact your state’s Veterinary Medical Board to discover if the vet you are considering has had complaints filed against them.
• Tour the facility. Take a look around to note general cleanliness, if there is a fenced area outside, and ask if there are staff on site 24 hours a day should you have to leave your pet overnight.

If you believe your pet has suffered injury or death because of the negligence or incompetence of your veterinarian, contact the Kenosha veterinary malpractice lawyers of Habush, Habush, & Rottier at 1-866-499-4700 to discuss your case and your legal options.