Vets negligence

Nurse222

Hi I am wondering if any of you could advise whether we would have a case for negligence against a vets surgery and whether they do no win no fee deals for this kind of complaint . Basically my son's dog was rushed to the vets as an emergency after investigations it was decided the best option was unfortunately to put him to sleep . My son  requested a single dog cremation and to have his ashes returned to us .This was paid for . For whatever reason / mistake this hasn't occurred and we are heartbroken that he has had a communal cremation and his ashes have been placed at a pet memorial garden miles away from our home . The vets after a discussion have said they will refund the vets bills as a token of good will and will also make a memorial for my son as an apology . Apparently they are only liable for him whilst he was alive not after his death , or this is what my son has been told . The vet has said they will do an investigation so this never happens again but that doesn't help us .Has anyone got any advice please .

[Deleted User]

Nurse222 said:

Hi I am wondering if any of you could advise whether we would have a case for negligence against a vets surgery and whether they do no win no fee deals for this kind of complaint . Basically my son's dog was rushed to the vets as an emergency after investigations it was decided the best option was unfortunately to put him to sleep . My son  requested a single dog cremation and to have his ashes returned to us .This was paid for . For whatever reason / mistake this hasn't occurred and we are heartbroken that he has had a communal cremation and his ashes have been placed at a pet memorial garden miles away from our home . The vets after a discussion have said they will refund the vets bills as a token of good will and will also make a memorial for my son as an apology . Apparently they are only liable for him whilst he was alive not after his death , or this is what my son has been told . The vet has said they will do an investigation so this never happens again but that doesn't help us .Has anyone got any advice please .

How much you thinking? 

gwynlas

The vet as offerred to refund costs, dog disposed of by cremation with other animals offerred memorial as apology/
You would not stand a snowballs of getting anything further than whats aleady been offerred.
You have not said how old your son is but you should help him move on.

bellaboo86

It’s awful that this has happened but I’m not sure what else you expect the vet to do- they’ve refunded the bill, paid for a memorial and said they will investigate. 

I think the grief of losing a much-loved pet might be clouding your judgement about this. 

[Deleted User]

Very sad but I don't think you have a case to go on with.

The Vets have been fair and reasonable in refunding you costs and making a further effort, it may well have never been their fault but you will probably never know.
Most vets are animal lovers too and will be sympathetic about what has happened.

In any case the memorial garden at my local pet crem is really nice (yours probably is too).
You can tell your son that he is there so he can play with the other doggies who live over the bridge.

KxMx

Did the Vet give the wrong instructions to the crematorium, or did the crematorium get it wrong? 

fred246

This sort of claim can only massively increase vet's bills because any claim would be paid by their insurers and then the insurance premium goes up and the vet charges more. It's a bit like whiplash claims. Lots of money for solicitors, doctors and all sorts of claims management people. Cash for anyone who wants to make a claim for a tiny bump. We all pay high insurance to pay for it.

fred246

That last comment was more aimed at people wanting payouts for things like 'wrong diagnosis' which is probably very common in veterinary practice. If people expect payouts every time a vet thinks a problem is one thing and it turns out to be something else then there is going to be lots of money for solicitors and claims managers and MASSIVE bills at the vet.

whirlyhead

What exactly would it take to make you feel better?  Obviously the issue never having happened, but it has and sadly it can't be changed.

sheramber

I wouldn't call it vet negligence. It was an administrative error.  Somebody ticked the wrong box on the form.
 It is very sad and shouldn't have happened but the vet has accepted an error was made and has  refunded the costs
How much money would make your son feel better?

onwards&upwards

It must be very upsetting, but try to remember that the dogs ashes are not the dog you loved, the dog you loved left that body behind and left wonderful memories for their family to draw comfort from. 

I honestly think the vet’s response has been really good, actually, considering that nothing can undo the mistake.