Aust Vet J Vol 77, No 1, January 1999 11

News

This is a true story. A veterinarianwent out to look at a horse,opened its mouth and soon

received a Statement of Claim for$350,000. Even worse - he wasn't insured!

Most professionals might think thiscould not happen, but let's see how it did.

The client alleged that:• The vet, although requested to look at

a leg, elected to rasp the horse's teeth• The animal reared and threw her to the

ground• The vet should have taken precautions

for her safety• She suffered a compression fracture to

L4 vertebra, disc injuries to lumbarspine, bruises, abrasions andshock

• She has pain and restricted movementto low back; may require lumbarsurgery; has back pain radiatinginto both legs; finds difficulty standing,walking or sitting for long periodsThe vet responded that:

• The horse had proven very amenable

to handling despite its leg injury• The owner specifically requested a den-

tal examination, which the horseaccepted without incident

• The client appeared comfortable hold-ing the horse

• Although the horse reared, it was notsevere

• The client reported no specific symp-toms when approached after the inci-dentWithin the space of two years a law

firm, a private investigator and five'expert' witnesses had become involved -and a bill of $52,500 had accumulated.The matter has only recently beenresolved! And then only after the vet gaveup the fight - at a cost to him of $17,500- despite having obtained evidence thatthe plaintiff had:• a history of pethidine use for back

problems prior to this accident• a long history of a bad back, disc degen-

eration, and inability to lift things

• poor vision in the right eye• a history of past horse accidents,

including fractures to fingers, a footand a legThe veterinarian believed he had been

covered for both professional and publicliability, although he had insured his prac-tice with two different companies.Tragically, he discovered that the profes-sional liability cover had lapsed (throughdifficulties with a renewal notice) and thepublic liability insurer flatly denied liability.The hapless vet now urges colleagues to:1. Obtain public and professional liability

insurance with the same company2. Don't trust horses and horse people.

practice pit fa l l s

A sad and sorry tale about a vet - and a horse

Compiled by the InsuranceSubcommittee, AEVA - with thesupport of Guild Insurance.