Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
The potential for liability in the use and misuse of veterinary vaccines.
- Journal:
- The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice
- Year:
- 2001
- Authors:
- Flemming, D
- Affiliation:
- Contra Costa Animal Eye Clinic · United States
Plain-English summary
Veterinarians can face legal issues if they don't follow proper guidelines when using vaccines for animals. The risk of being sued for negligence or failing to meet expectations can depend on the specific details of each case. While it's impossible to guarantee that a veterinarian will never be sued, they can protect themselves by sticking to accepted practices, ensuring pet owners understand the vaccines being used, and not making unrealistic promises about the vaccines' effectiveness. Overall, following these steps can help veterinarians defend themselves against potential legal claims.
Abstract
The lack of specific rules regarding the use of animal vaccines by veterinarians leaves them vulnerable to legal action for negligence or breach of warranty. A veterinarian's liability may depend on the answers to the questions asked previously in this article. The answers ultimately depend on the specific circumstances of the case. Although no one can ensure that he or she is never going to be sued, veterinarians can go a long way in defending themselves against these kinds of allegations by conforming to the standards of practice as they apply to the care and use of vaccines; by adhering closely to the doctrines of informed consent; and by not providing undue warranty to the vaccine product he or she sells.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11446101/