Bunny Buddy
Wise Old Thumper
I know I've seen a few threads but can't think of how to search successfully for them.
The situation - I adopted a rabbit from [withholding name] who give free neutering vouchers for use at a vet practice associated with them. [no naming them if you think you know who I'm talking about, please ]
The neutering happened but said bunny had an infection which was not picked up on post-op check up, though I wasn't happy with the advice I received to monitor (one of his scrotal sacs was swollen, it was actually full of pus). I, of course, got a second opinion from my own vet who was immediately aware of 'something serious' and took said rabbit into surgery within a few hours to clean out the infection.
It's clear to me that this infection should have been picked up on the post-op check up at the original vets. If I'd have waited for the external signs they suggested I am strongly of the belief that the infection would have been so bad it would have killed him. I am strongly of the belief that my seeking the second opinion saved his life.
There's been an exchange of letters between myself and the original vets, I've been offered a 'not admission of liability' payment from the charity concerned (about 60% of the bill in question).
Since starting this I want them to admit liability, it was originally about re-embursing the fee but I'm now livid that they won't accept that their 'care'/advice fell far short of appropriate and could have killed him. They say if I wasn't happy with the advice I should have sought a second opinion through their network (understandable) but I wanted to take him to someone whose opinion/knowledge I value and trust - I wanted the rabbit to live for god's sake! I personally think it is reasonable that I got a second opinion from a known and trusted party and the fact that they were WRONG in their advice should mean that legally, by whatever means, I should be entitled to re-embursement. I'd really like an acknowledgment that they got it wrong and that would mean far more to me than the money. But, legally, I don't know if, because I chose to get a second opinion through a third party I have no rights of claim.
Any wise people able to advise whether I have any sort of legal claim and how to pursue it?
Also, does anyone know if that fact that I didn't pay for it, it was done through a charity makes any difference to my claim for any of this :?
Oh, and another question - if I accept the 'not admission of liability' payment, can I still take action against them for the failings in their service? It's two separate issues to me, one the charity seeing through their commitment to the neutering and my taking up issue with the vets in question. It's times like this I wish I had a camera on my phone and had taken some pictures as evidence.
I've kept quiet on this issue for 3 months to give them a chance but I'm livid at this point :evil:
The situation - I adopted a rabbit from [withholding name] who give free neutering vouchers for use at a vet practice associated with them. [no naming them if you think you know who I'm talking about, please ]
The neutering happened but said bunny had an infection which was not picked up on post-op check up, though I wasn't happy with the advice I received to monitor (one of his scrotal sacs was swollen, it was actually full of pus). I, of course, got a second opinion from my own vet who was immediately aware of 'something serious' and took said rabbit into surgery within a few hours to clean out the infection.
It's clear to me that this infection should have been picked up on the post-op check up at the original vets. If I'd have waited for the external signs they suggested I am strongly of the belief that the infection would have been so bad it would have killed him. I am strongly of the belief that my seeking the second opinion saved his life.
There's been an exchange of letters between myself and the original vets, I've been offered a 'not admission of liability' payment from the charity concerned (about 60% of the bill in question).
Since starting this I want them to admit liability, it was originally about re-embursing the fee but I'm now livid that they won't accept that their 'care'/advice fell far short of appropriate and could have killed him. They say if I wasn't happy with the advice I should have sought a second opinion through their network (understandable) but I wanted to take him to someone whose opinion/knowledge I value and trust - I wanted the rabbit to live for god's sake! I personally think it is reasonable that I got a second opinion from a known and trusted party and the fact that they were WRONG in their advice should mean that legally, by whatever means, I should be entitled to re-embursement. I'd really like an acknowledgment that they got it wrong and that would mean far more to me than the money. But, legally, I don't know if, because I chose to get a second opinion through a third party I have no rights of claim.
Any wise people able to advise whether I have any sort of legal claim and how to pursue it?
Also, does anyone know if that fact that I didn't pay for it, it was done through a charity makes any difference to my claim for any of this :?
Oh, and another question - if I accept the 'not admission of liability' payment, can I still take action against them for the failings in their service? It's two separate issues to me, one the charity seeing through their commitment to the neutering and my taking up issue with the vets in question. It's times like this I wish I had a camera on my phone and had taken some pictures as evidence.
I've kept quiet on this issue for 3 months to give them a chance but I'm livid at this point :evil:
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