I'm involved in some unpleasant business regarding a complaint to the RCVS, part of which now involves trying to recover some costly vet fees for treatment/surgery to rectify errors made.
Just to be clear, this complaint does not involve any of my own animals or my vets.
And to put people's minds at rest, the animals made a full recovery and are now OK.
Due to the circumstances and the process we are going through, I can't say too much so I apologise for being sketchy with the details. The following just gives a brief outline of the circumstances.
I'm acting as the representative for a rescue in this matter. Mistakes were made which resulted in costly corrective surgery. This corrective surgery/treatment was undertaken at another practice. We have good reasons for needing to go elsewhere and for not taking the animals back to the original practice. I have requested that the original practice cover the costs incurred for correcting their mistakes, which they said they would consider. However, they have now come back to me saying they will not pay as the animals should have been taken back there for any follow up treatment. In fact the animals were taken back there immediately, but after overnight hospitalisation they were discharged the following morning in the same unacceptable state, hence our decision not to go back to them, particularly as by now time was becoming an issue (ie they can deteriorate quickly).
I am fine with the RCVS side of things and I have all the documentation in hand, it's the legal side of trying to recover the cost of corrective surgery that I'm feeling a bit lost with. I feel I need to do something to at least attempt to get this amount back.
This is a rescue, so obviously money is an issue and there aren't funds available to just go ahead and appoint a solicitor.
Has anyone ever used one of those 'no win, no fee' solicitors? Would this be the best way forward? I can't think of any other way of doing it, but any suggestions would be very welcome.
I'm worried about making a bad choice and ending up with a dodgy 'no win, no fee' solicitor, so any recommendations would be appreciated.
Would it be worth me making an appointment with Citizens Advice? Is their advice/expertise very general, or can they advise on specific or more unusual cases, such as this one.
Thanks in advance.
Just to be clear, this complaint does not involve any of my own animals or my vets.
And to put people's minds at rest, the animals made a full recovery and are now OK.
Due to the circumstances and the process we are going through, I can't say too much so I apologise for being sketchy with the details. The following just gives a brief outline of the circumstances.
I'm acting as the representative for a rescue in this matter. Mistakes were made which resulted in costly corrective surgery. This corrective surgery/treatment was undertaken at another practice. We have good reasons for needing to go elsewhere and for not taking the animals back to the original practice. I have requested that the original practice cover the costs incurred for correcting their mistakes, which they said they would consider. However, they have now come back to me saying they will not pay as the animals should have been taken back there for any follow up treatment. In fact the animals were taken back there immediately, but after overnight hospitalisation they were discharged the following morning in the same unacceptable state, hence our decision not to go back to them, particularly as by now time was becoming an issue (ie they can deteriorate quickly).
I am fine with the RCVS side of things and I have all the documentation in hand, it's the legal side of trying to recover the cost of corrective surgery that I'm feeling a bit lost with. I feel I need to do something to at least attempt to get this amount back.
This is a rescue, so obviously money is an issue and there aren't funds available to just go ahead and appoint a solicitor.
Has anyone ever used one of those 'no win, no fee' solicitors? Would this be the best way forward? I can't think of any other way of doing it, but any suggestions would be very welcome.
I'm worried about making a bad choice and ending up with a dodgy 'no win, no fee' solicitor, so any recommendations would be appreciated.
Would it be worth me making an appointment with Citizens Advice? Is their advice/expertise very general, or can they advise on specific or more unusual cases, such as this one.
Thanks in advance.