When your staff makes a mistake—and you get sued: Understanding vicarious liability in vet practice
Dr. Geoff Carullo, DVM, FPCCP, DPCVSCA
- Articles
- 3 min read
You own the clinic.
You weren’t on duty.
But the vet gave the wrong injection.
Or your associate vet performed surgery without proper consent.
Now the client is threatening to sue you—not just the one who made the mistake.
How is that fair?
Welcome to the world of vicarious liability.
Vicarious liability is a legal doctrine where a person or entity (usually an employer) is held responsible for the acts or omissions of another person (usually an employee) — even if the employer didn’t directly cause the harm.
In short:
You can be held liable for your team’s actions.
It’s a principle rooted in Article 2180 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, which clearly states:
“The obligation imposed by Article 2176 is demandable not only for one’s own acts or omissions, but also for those of persons for whom one is responsible.”
And yes—this applies to veterinary practice.
If you’re the owner of a veterinary clinic, you can be held vicariously liable for:
Even if you weren’t the one holding the syringe, the scalpel, or the phone—you are still accountable because it happened under your business’s authority.
If the client sues, you as the employer may be liable—civilly, professionally, and financially.
Being a clinic owner means leading medically and legally. Here’s how you can protect your practice:
Being a vet is hard enough.
Being the owner of a vet clinic? That’s another level.
You’re not just responsible for what you do—you’re accountable for what everyone under your roof does.
That’s vicarious liability.
It’s not just legal theory—it’s a real-world risk every vet-entrepreneur must understand.
So be proactive. Train your people. Document your process. Lead with vigilance.
Because when your team fails, the fallout lands on you.
Dr. Geoff Carullo is a Fellow and the current President of the Philippine College of Canine Practitioners.
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