Sponsored by:
Assemblyman PAUL KANITRA
District 10 (Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes award of damages for pain and suffering to owner of pet cat or dog that dies due to malpractice or negligence by veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or other veterinary facility.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning malpractice or negligence of a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or veterinary facility, and supplementing Title 45 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Whenever a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or other veterinary facility is found liable for the death of a pet cat or dog due to malpractice or negligence on the part of the veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or other veterinary facility, the owner of the pet shall be entitled to, in addition to the reimbursement of the monetary value of the cat or dog and any cost of veterinary care, the award of not less than $5,000 in damages for pain and suffering due to the loss of the pet to be paid by the veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or other veterinary facility, as applicable, as determined and awarded by the court finding the liability for the death of the pet cat or dog.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes that, whenever a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or other veterinary facility is found liable for the death of a pet cat or dog due to malpractice or negligence on the part of the veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or other veterinary facility, the owner of the pet would be entitled to, in addition to the reimbursement of the monetary value of the cat or dog and any cost of veterinary care, the award of not less than $5,000 in damages for pain and suffering due to the loss of the pet, as determined and awarded by the court finding the liability for the death of the pet cat or dog.