If your animal has suffered preventable harm due to negligent veterinary care—delayed diagnosis, poorly performed intervention, lack of information about risk, or deficient post-operative care—we provide you with a preliminary legal report on the actual viability of the claim.
You took your dog to the clinic with a condition that could have been diagnosed, and it took weeks to identify it. The operation was complicated by surgical malpractice. You were not informed of the real risk before the procedure. The post-operative care was insufficient and the animal suffered a preventable infection. The veterinarian administered the wrong medication or incorrect dosage.
Veterinary malpractice is a branch of professional civil liability. For a claim to succeed, three things must be proven: that the veterinarian acted outside the standard of care of the profession, that the animal suffered specific harm, and that there is a causal connection between the action and the harm. Expert veterinary testimony from the profession itself is the central evidence.
Not every bad outcome is negligence. But conduct that deviates from the required professional standard is.
We review clinical documentation, coordinate veterinary expert testimony with independent experts who assess whether the practice conforms to the applicable standard of care, provide you with a preliminary legal report, and pursue claims through the most efficient avenue—negotiation with the clinic or its insurer when feasible, lawsuit in first instance when not.
Conference room
Conditions that could have been identified with standard tests and that are diagnosed beyond reasonable time, with consequences for the animal. Analysis of medical history and tests that were performed and not performed.
Technically defective procedures, inadequate instruments, lack of aseptic measures. Veterinary surgical expert testimony is decisive.
The veterinarian’s client has the right to information about the procedure, risks, alternatives and post-operative care. The absence or inadequacy of information is an independent breach of the standard of care.
Wrong medication, incorrect dosage, unadvised interaction, prescription error. Analysis of prescription and administration.
Insufficient guidelines, lack of follow-up, premature discharge. When damage occurs in the post-operative phase due to inadequate clinic recommendations.
Response times, inadequate triage, delayed referral to centers with resources for complex cases.
Falls, escapes, medication administration errors during stay, lack of supervision.
If your matter fits with one of these specific services, you should review the specific page:
Without well-constructed expert testimony, there is no viable claim. We work with independent specialized veterinary experts.
If the treatment complied with professional standards or the damage cannot be proven, we tell you before accepting the case.
Your case is handled by the attorney who signs the report.
We know the case law of the Provincial Court of Madrid regarding professional standards and expert testimony within the profession.
Material damages —veterinary expenses arising from correcting the harm, value of the animal in cases of death— and, when applicable, moral damages for the owner’s suffering, especially when the animal is part of the family unit. Case law is increasingly clear in recognizing moral damages for the loss or suffering of a companion animal.
Non-contractual liability action under article 1902 CC: 1 year from when you learned of the damage and the responsible party. Contractual action based on the veterinary services contract: 5 years. It is important to act quickly because clinical documentation and testimony lose strength over time.
Yes. Professional standards can only be proven with expert testimony from within the profession. Without a veterinary expert who opines on whether the treatment departed from the professional standard, the claim will not succeed.
Material damages —value of the animal, veterinary expenses— and moral damages when applicable. Case law recognizes moral damages in cases involving companion animals, especially with provable family bond.
Veterinary clinics usually have professional liability insurance. A large portion of claims are resolved with the insurer before reaching court proceedings, once the veterinary expert report confirms the negligence.
If your animal has suffered harm that you believe was preventable and you have the clinical documentation, write to us. We’ll tell you within 24 hours if the claim has merit and what the next step would be.
We respond within 24 business hours. The information you share is subject to attorney-client confidentiality privilege.