Kent Pensioner Wins Ground-Breaking Out-Of-Court Settlement

28 April 2006

In a ground-breaking out-of-court settlement, 80-year-old Kent pensioner Mrs Joan Williams has been awarded £2,000 damages following the death of her cat after treatment provided by her vet.

Laurence Swift, who ran the St Francis Veterinary Clinic in Herne Bay, was struck off the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) register for his “disgraceful conduct” towards Blue, an eight-year-old Prussian Blue, who had to be put down because of his negligence.

Mrs Williams’ lawyer, Michael Longmore of Furley Page Solicitors, said: “Mrs Williams has suffered acute distress over Blue’s death. She made a claim for psychiatric injury caused by witnessing the treatment undertaken by Mr Swift. This was something of a ground-breaking case as we have been unable to find any reported cases being awarded for psychiatric injury in such circumstances.”

In all, there were three charges against Laurence Swift relating to his treatment of Blue on May 10, 2004. He used an unlicensed medicine to treat what he diagnosed as gastroenteritis which he administered by means of a syringe and catheter to the fully conscious and unsedated cat.

The RCVS findings stated that Mr Swift did “serious harm” to Blue who developed aspiration pneumonia as a result of the fluid entering his lungs. Blue was taken to another veterinary practice but his condition deteriorated and Mrs Williams, who lives in Birchington, was forced to take the decision to have him put down.
 

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