Legal query against vet

PoGee

I raised an action against a vet hospital just under 2 years ago via my home insurer's legal expenses policy. The insurer paid for a legal report, which confirmed that the vet hospital was negligent. I took the pet to a 2nd vet hospital, on the first vet hospital's insistence.

I wanted to use my family solicitor but the insurer said I had to use their one.

The legal firm stated (1) vet hospital1 negligent (2)  to pursue case against vet hospital1 (3) to reclaim vet 2's fees against vet 1, as well as vet hospital 1's fees. The solicitor who stated this (email) has now left.

New solicitor (newly qualified) now states that vet 1's insurer will pay vet 2's fees and a small amount for 'what you went through', but not vet hospital 1's fees. The negligent hospital (vet 1) has got away scot-free.

I won't be keeping the fees returned but donating to animal charities and give a small amount to my daughter as it was her pet.

If I accept vet 2's fees being returned, can I still log a complaint against vet hospital 1 with the vet college, as the expert report clearly states they were negligent? I've asked the new solicitor why they're not pursuing vet hospital 1.

Undervalued

PoGee said:

I raised an action against a vet hospital just under 2 years ago via my home insurer's legal expenses policy. The insurer paid for a legal report, which confirmed that the vet hospital was negligent. I took the pet to a 2nd vet hospital, on the first vet hospital's insistence.

I wanted to use my family solicitor but the insurer said I had to use their one.

The legal firm stated (1) vet hospital1 negligent (2)  to pursue case against vet hospital1 (3) to reclaim vet 2's fees against vet 1, as well as vet hospital 1's fees. The solicitor who stated this (email) has now left.

New solicitor (newly qualified) now states that vet 1's insurer will pay vet 2's fees and a small amount for 'what you went through', but not vet hospital 1's fees. The negligent hospital (vet 1) has got away scot-free.

I won't be keeping the fees returned but donating to animal charities and give a small amount to my daughter as it was her pet.

If I accept vet 2's fees being returned, can I still log a complaint against vet hospital 1 with the vet college, as the expert report clearly states they were negligent? I've asked the new solicitor why they're not pursuing vet hospital 1.

Yes, they are two separate things.

The RCVS will assess whether there is a case to answer regarding the vet's clinical competence etc. Their function is professional standards and fitness to practice. They (the RCVS) have no role in awarding compensation.

PoGee

Thanks for reply. It's not about compensation but to hold them accountable. 

DullGreyGuy

So was your pet not ill at all? Did they need no treatment? 

Without the detail its sounds like you are wanting the treatment to have been totally free but that isn't what you'd expect as an outcome as presumably the pet was treated and is now well again. 

Its somewhat arbitrary if H1 should refund their own fees OR refund the fees from H2, there are arguments for both and you'd probably spin it depending on which was bigger but it really comes down to the details again. The civil courts will simply deal with indemnity, ie make sure you arent financially out of pocket. 

For professional standards complaints you'd go to the Royal College rather than court