Veterinarian Liability: What to Do?

Questioner

Can I hold the veterinarian and assistant liable for the death of my Chihuahua during spaying? Our sweet Bella, just two years old, passed away on July 15, 2019, during her spaying. The preparation for the surgery was very rushed and messy. The assistant had already grabbed my dog ​​by her neck, and while shaving her leg, she had grabbed her tightly and told her not to do that to a tiny Chihuahua who can't move. This already stressed her out. After the surgery, I received a call to tell me Bella had died of cardiac arrest. The vet administered additional gas anesthesia during the surgery because her heart rate increased during the operation, and she says she tried to stimulate her heart, but to no avail. She said she would put Bella in a basket when we picked her up. I'm going to pick her up together with my 10-year-old daughter. We arrived at the reception desk, where two assistants were present. We told them we were picking up Bella, but they didn't really speak to us. There was no sign of the vet either; she didn't even speak to us. Let alone that Bella was in a basket, as the vet had told us. No, she was still lying on the operating table, where only the monitor's wires had been removed and a blanket had been half-covered over Bella. Not even an effort had been made to put her tongue back in her mouth, so you can imagine that this was not a pretty sight, especially not with a 10-year-old girl there. The next day, a very impersonal bouquet was delivered via Greetz. A bouquet of flowers with a card was so inappropriate. Nothing more was heard from the vet. Two days later, another card from the veterinary practice was delivered, but this time with kind regards, again so inappropriate. Absolutely no sympathy; they simply left her like a piece of trash on the operating table and left. It would have made a huge difference in our grief if she had spoken to us face to face. We buried Bella at a pet cemetery on Wednesday. My question is to what extent we can hold the veterinarian and assistant liable for the death of our Chihuahua and the funeral costs, and whether there are any further steps that can be taken regarding the work and conduct of this veterinarian and assistant.

Questioner

Then you have to prove that this veterinarian made a mistake you wouldn't have expected from an average veterinarian. So, there shouldn't have been a complication during the surgery. Or that Bella had a hidden illness or condition that tragically led to her death. The fact that you weren't treated properly seems more appropriate for a complaints procedure with an umbrella organization. Costs resulting from breach of contract are recoverable. Costs you would have incurred later anyway are not.