AVMA/PLIT News
Animail Bailee Closed Claims Bull Dies During the Night After Attack
Dr. A was boarding longhorn bulls for semen collection. One morning, an employee found a bull dead and partially in the water tank. Dr. A presumed the bull had been standing by the tank and was knocked in after being charged by another bull with whom it had a history of fighting. The owner demanded reimbursement and Dr. A reported the animal bailee claim to their insurance carrier. After a claim review, the insurance professional negotiated a settlement that paid the owner $5,700 for the bull.
Bull Killed During Fight at Dr. B’s Clinic
Dr. B was boarding several bulls for a client prior to an auction sale. While boarding, two bulls started fighting and could not be separated. One young bull died, and the owner demanded compensation. Dr. B reported the animal bailee claim to their insurance carrier. The owner provided documentation on the bull’s value, and the insurance professional reviewed recent sales of similar bulls. A settlement was negotiated and the owner was paid $3,500.
Bull Escapes Dr. C’s Enclosure
Dr. C performed a breeding soundness exam on a bull, and after the exam, the bull was released from the chute into a holding pen. While waiting to be loaded for discharge, the bull attempted to jump over the fence. The attempt was unsuccessful, but it damaged a panel. The bull then rammed the panel headfirst, escaped the enclosure, jumped over the perimeter fence, and escaped into the woods. After a four- day search, the bull was located. It was very agitated, and Dr. C suspected that it had been injured. Due to the terrain, the bull could not be roped or tranquilized so it was
euthanized.The owner demanded compensation and provided documentation to substantiate the bull’s value. Dr. C reported the animal bailee claim to their insurance carrier. After a claim review, a settlement was negotiated and the owner was paid $3,500.
Round Bale Kills Expensive Donor Cow
A 3-year-old Angus cow was boarding at Dr. D’s facility for an embryo transfer procedure. While staff was placing a round bale of hay into the round bale feeder, the cow approached the feeder as the bale was dropped into the feeder
which trapped its head between the bale and the feeder resulting in suffocation and death. A necropsy found the cause of death consistent with the history of trauma, hemorrhage, and necrosis of the skeletal muscles of the neck and cranial thorax. The cow’s owner demanded reimbursement for the value of the cow and Dr. D submitted an animal bailee claim to their insurance carrier. Dr. D carried animal bailee plan 8 which includes a limit for any one animal up to $25,000.00. The owner provided proof of the cow’s value through an appraisal review based on the cow’s pedigree. The insurance professional negotiated a $9,500 settlement with the owner of the cow.
Three Heifers Escape Through Gate
Dr. E’s client presented a load of registered Angus heifers for processing. After treatment, Dr. E and staff, along with the owner, started loading the heifers on to the trailer. The gate was knocked open by one of the heifers and three escaped, never to be found. Dr. E’s employee later admitted that the gate was not locked properly. The owner demanded reimbursement for the value of the lost heifers and Dr. E submitted an animal bailee claim to their insurance carrier. After negotiating the fair market value of the three heifers, the insurance professional settled the claim for $5,500.
Your Malpractice Policy Checklist
Is your professional liability policy up to date? Consider the follow questions:
1. Are my primary professional liability limits adequate?
2. Do I have veterinary license defense coverage?
3. Do I (or does my practice owner) carry animal bailee coverage?
If you answered “no” to any of these questions or are unsure of the answers, call the AVMA Trust at 800-228-7548. You can also make changes to your AVMA PLIT policies online by logging in
atwww.avmaplit.com.
View the full suite of AVMA Trust program offerings at
avmaplit.com and
avmalife.org.
Produced by: HUB International Midwest Limited, HUB International Midwest Insurance Agency (CA), PLIT Broker and Consultant since 1962 © 2025 AVMA Trust. All rights reserved. This newsletter provides a general guideline. Readers should verify to ensure that they comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
KVMA News | Summer 2025
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