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What Can I Expect From The Vet As Compensation For Their Error?

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Sunnycharlie

Sunnycharlie

Junior Guinea Pig
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My piggy Adric was given Convenia by a vet for mild conjunctivitis. The senior partner acknowledged that this was a mistake and was subsequently very helpful. We nursed Adric through it and he has survived. We did, however, suffer 5 long days of stress and syringe feeding a reluctant piggy.

I am writing a letter of formal complaint to the vet. I have described what happened but am not sure what to ask for. Obviously, they should refund the initial fee they charged but are they likely to compensate me as well? I don't want to sue them or anything agressive like that. I have absolutely no experience of this situation though and feel I would like some sort of compensation for the stress caused to me and my family.

Anyone have any thought on the matter? Or any experience dealing with a vet who has made a mistake.
 
Can't help you with that although I do remember reading your post - I would definitely expect your money back and possibly ask them to ,ake a donation to TEAS as full and final settlement of your complaint? We must have a solicitor on here among us who might have some idea.
 
very good idea to write him a formal letter... if he is honest and smart he should reply, especially if reading your letter he did sniff the risk of getting a bad opinion of himself around his zone... I don't know in UK, but here in Rome there are a lot of vets and clinics and some of them after getting bad scores in Google have lost a huge number of customers...
Maybe no refund for you, but you could obtain a greater service and attention next time... Are the two vets working together in the same clinic? Is "Convenia" a drug not allowed on guinea pigs?
 
Yes, the two vets are in the same clinic. The second one I saw is a partner in the clinic. Convenia is an antibiotic that is not very good at all for guinea pigs and is certainly completely the wrong treatment for conjunctivitis.
 
I think "stress" is very difficult to quantify. I would consider discussing with them the intensive regime required at home that otherwise should have been covered by the practice, so what would 5 days nursing care at the practice cost?
 
I always think there is no harm in asking but you are more likely to be successful if you can quantify what you want compensating for. E.g. all consultation and medicine costs for this illness, any additional costs for syringe feed etc, loss of earnings if you have had to take time off work, etc. At the end of the day if you don't ask you don't get and well, if they say no, then you are no worse off anyway.
 
I'm not sure you would get 'compensation' as such but you should certainly get a full refund & I would definitely write a letter of complain explaining how stressed my pig baby was so they learn from their mistake!
 
The purpose of compensation is to put you back in the position you would have been in if there had been no negligence.
You are entitled to the cost of the consultation and medication and expenses you've incurred as a result of the nogligence (syringes, critical care feed etc). If you lost earnings as a result of being unable to work while he was ill you are entitled to claim that.
If you want to claim you have to prove each of your financial losses. Set them out in a letter of complaint to the practice.
You have no entitlement to compensation for stress. But the practice could offer you an ex gratia or goodwill payment.
Good luck
 
Here "compensation" for similar cases is only a dream, and it might arrive only after a long legal trail... anyway only a lawer can decide and ask for a compensation. But a refund might be possible in your case, especially if you let them understand that in case of a refusal, you will tell everyone around the city and on the net about your bad experience and their poor competence.
 
rome_italy said:
Here "compensation" for similar cases is only a dream, and it might arrive only after a long legal trail... anyway only a lawer can decide and ask for a compensation. But a refund might be possible in your case, especially if you let them understand that in case of a refusal, you will tell everyone around the city and on the net about your bad experience and their poor competence.
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Compensation claims can indeed take a long time and be costly.
Just be careful that you aren't seen to be making threats otherwise it could be treated as blackmail
 
Thank you for your comments.

The practice have already covered all costs since the incident took place. It looks like the cost of the original appointment might be all I could expect to get back then. I was hoping they might offer some future free treatment for my boys should they need it. I wasn't after compensation in the form of money for the stress. I have been very careful not to bad mouth the surgery and only close family know the full story.
 
Sunnycharlie said:
Thank you for your comments.

The practice have already covered all costs since the incident took place. It looks like the cost of the original appointment might be all I could expect to get back then. I was hoping they might offer some future free treatment for my boys should they need it. I wasn't after compensation in the form of money for the stress. I have been very careful not to bad mouth the surgery and only close family know the full story.
Click to expand...


Sorry if I came across a bit matter of fact. Blame the lawyer in me! Good to hear they've covered all the costs since the incident. They clearly recognise their obligations and haven't messed you around.

If you don't ask you don't get; I'd ask them if as a goodwill gesture they might give you some free consultations or some credit on your account. Worst that can happen is that they say no.
 
I liked the matter of fact approach. It was clear and concise- just what I needed to hear!

I have written a letter with the help of my husband. We have only asked for an apology, recognition of the mistake ( so it doesn't happen again) and the refund of the original fee. I couldn't find the words to ask for more without sounding greedy. They may offer anyway ( I can always hope!).
 
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