Veterinary surgeons in the UK train for a minimum of five or six years and once qualified are legally obliged to provide a standard of service that meets a reasonable level of competence.

As a result, in the event that a client feels that their pet has received treatment that falls below this level – whether through carelessness, recklessness or sheer incompetency – he or she may be entitled to instruct a professional negligence lawyer to make a claim for compensation.

Claiming compensation

In the event that substandard treatment results in a pet suffering pain or injury or in the owner sustaining inconvenience and additional financial costs, he or she may be entitled to claim compensation.

Although it is possible for a client to make complaint with the veterinary surgeon and to receive satisfactory redress at this early stage, this is not always possible. Things can get complicated and clients may decide to seek a second opinion.

In the event that the pet owner decides to launch a claim for compensation, it is important to remember that this must be made within three years from the date at which the negligence occurred; in some other cases this may be three years from the date at which the client became aware of the negligence.

Common veterinary negligence claims include the following:

  • Misdiagnosis claims
  • Mistreatment claims
  • Delay in diagnosis claims
  • Negligent advice claims
  • Negligent medical assessment claims
  • Surgical negligence claims
  • Negligent pre-purchase assessment

Claim compensation for veterinary negligence

Whether the claim relates to treatment for a domestic animal, farm animal, or race horse or racing dog, Oratto's member veterinary negligence specialists can help you ensure that you uphold your full rights under the law.

Our member professional negligence lawyers work across the length and breadth of the country and all are signatory to the Oratto Member Lawyer Code, so you can be assured of the following:

  • Efficiency
  • Integrity
  • Objectivity
  • Accountability
  • Openness and transparency
  • Honesty
  • Leadership

Call us today to discuss your legal requirements, choose a lawyer by comparing profiles, or use the Oratto Match tool to allow us to suggest the most appropriate lawyer for your needs.

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