Veterinary Malpractice

Protecting companion animal safety is the purpose of the veterinary negligence claim. Animals that are harmed by negligent veterinarians cannot speak for themselves about the suffering that they endure, but their human guardians may still hold vets failing to provide a professional standard of care accountable.
Like doctors, veterinarians use sophisticated diagnostic tools and equipment including anesthesia, ultrasound, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment to care for patients, carry malpractice insurance to cover medical errors, and may be liable for veterinary care that does not meet professional standards.
If a vet has harmed or killed your dog, cat, horse, or other companion animal, a veterinary malpractice case may exist.
Proving veterinary negligence under Oregon law requires evidence that a vet failed to treat an animal with the care, skill, and diligence used by ordinarily careful veterinarians under the same basic circumstances. Veterinarians are not negligent merely because their efforts were unsuccessful.
 Oregon law allows an animal owner to recover attorney fees in cases where damages are less than $10,000. This may make it economically feasible to pursue negligent vets for wrongful death or harm to companion animals. If you suspect that a veterinarian may have caused harm, an Oregon veterinary malpractice lawyer can advise you of your legal options. Call our Portland animal law office toll free at (800) 714-3204.