groomer cut off HUGE CHUNK off of my yorkie!! what do i do?!? lawsuit?

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by Jaya and Jenna

Ya s**t does happen, but there are also consequences that come with it.

The fact is that they did not tell her about what happened. I am assuming that they held the poor dog there trying to make him stop bleeding --- because instead of taking 1 hr it took 3. They did not notify her when it happened, and then when she went back with blood all over her, they simply said it was a small cut!! There is a piece missing!!!

Look, it would have been a completely different story had they been upfront about it. The issue here is that they tried to hide it. And therefore, they should have to deal with the consequences - and that is bad publicity - whether its through a lawsuit, or the internet, it needs to happen.

What if it had been your child? Would you feel differently then??

Yes I would definitely feel different if it were a child and so would the court. even then I would only expect them to pay for the plastic surgery to repair the ear. Even in the unfortunate death of a loved one, a lawsuit is not going to bring them back.

But this is a dog and cosmetics do not matter to a dog, so where is the damage.

She said she has used this groomer for years so evidently she has been happy with their performance in the past.

They were definitely wrong not to be upfront, but accidents do happen, and no amount of money is going to make a difference. Who besides the dog, has been damaged?

[Jaya and Jenna]

Originally Posted by FL Tink

I would definately expect them to pay all vet bills.
If they refuse I would report them to the states attorney office and the BBB
Who knows who else they did this to? They dont have much integrity.
NOT telling you about the injury and letting you leave is negligence! If they made a mistake because maybe he was pulling or jerked..ok..fess up.
They should have called you right away and given you the option to call the vet.
What if you had not noticed until it was infected?
I heard of a story( i hope it is not true) cut the ear really bad, like almost off and super glued it back on. Of couse without blood flow the ear died and fell off.
Once Bella jerked and they cut a chuck of fur just to the left of her nose. It was so obvious... My groomer called me right away before she finished cutting her. She was so upset. I told her it was just hair and it would grow back. She was honest!!!
I am so sorry for your baby. I hope he has not suffered much.

Exactly!!!!!

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by cgennawey

Bottom line is that they should not be in the dog grooming business!!!!

I don't think one accident makes them a bad business. It was an accident that could and probably has happened in every grooming shop that has been in business for any length of time. I am sure they did not do it deliberately. these little guys are not easy to groom, they wiggle around a lot and one worng move at the wrong time can cause an accident.

I would bet it happens in beauty parlors also.

One of my twin daughters had her finger cut during the C section to deliver her. That scalpel could have cut that tiny finger off, it was no bigger than a tooth pick. 28 years later she still carries a scar.

Should I Have sued?

[JCarlson2004]

OMG girl this SAME exact thing happened to my Tia last year!! But I was at the groomers when it happened and I saw the whole thing. They paid my vet bill and gave Tia 10 free grooming appointments. I think they handled it very well, so I didn't pursue the matter further and I still use them as my groomer because they were honestly sorry.

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by FL Tink

I would definately expect them to pay all vet bills.
If they refuse I would report them to the states attorney office and the BBB

She said that they offered to pay the vet bill

[cesar49]

they should have called you immediately to come get him and take him to the vet.. it was very dishonest. hope he is ok..

[tiggerr36792]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

I'm sorry that your little on had to hurt. I hope the wound heals ok.

I realize your angry and it should not have happened, but sometimes Sh** happens.

Americans are sue happy and there are too many frivolous lawsuits in this country. Law suits don't undo the damage or bring back a life.

and for those who say "it's not the money." It's the money.

You got your money back they offered to pay the vet bill. they said they were sorry. Not much more they can do. Like I said sometimes Sh** happens and there is no one to blame.

[MyPeanutAbbyGra]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

I'm sorry that your little on had to hurt. I hope the wound heals ok.

I realize your angry and it should not have happened, but sometimes Sh** happens.

Americans are sue happy and there are too many frivolous lawsuits in this country. Law suits don't undo the damage or bring back a life.

and for those who say "it's not the money." It's the money.

You got your money back they offered to pay the vet bill. they said they were sorry. Not much more they can do. Like I said sometimes Sh** happens and there is no one to blame.

I agree, but! They should have told her about the cut when it happened.

I'm so sorry this happened. It really stinks that a chunk of your baby's ear is gone! That is just bizarre!
I just took Abby and Daisy to the groomer today and Daisy's pad on her foot bled a little bit when I picked her up. I took her back in and I really don't think the groomer knew. And it was nothing like what you're describing.

I would take him to the vet and get him checked out and send them the bill for sure.

[Nancy1999]

Sure accidents happen all the time, but the decision that needs to made is, was this an ordinary accident, or was there any negligence involved? Was this a simple slip of the hand? Or were there not precautions that should have been taken to prevent this? Lastly, was the groomer, in any way negligent, in her duties? One thing, after the "accident" she was grossly negligent in not reporting this to the dog's owner. What if the dog was put to bed afterward, and the wound continued to bleed all night? This sort of thing should always be reported. The courts have something called punitive damages that go above actual damages and they are used in cases where the judge feels like the defendant had not taken reasonable precautions to prevent such a thing from happening, such as properly restraining the dog. Punitive damages are also very useful in making businesses responsible to their clients. In the past, many companies found it cheaper to pay off angry consumers because the "actual" damages" didn't really hurt their bottom line, and so their shoddy practices would continue, however when judges added punitive damages the companies in question decided a policy change was in order. I'm not suggesting she should sue, I think she will have more information when she talks to her vet, but the company should do more than return the fees she paid. I don't know what's fair in a case like this, but company policy should change, and customers should always be informed in cases of injury.

I don't know if there is a state licensing board that you could report them to as well, but a good company would bend over backwards apologizing, and inform you what they were going to do, so this would never happen to anybody again. I realize many people sue only for the monetary gain; however, many others sue to protect others from the same situation.

[spr377]

I think that the true problem here, is that the groomer lacked the guts to admit she had cut your dog. The dishonesty of trying to act as if nothing happened is the true "crime". Accidents do happen and pets do wiggle. She offered to pay the Vet bill, which in itself, is an admission. I would definitely send them a vet bill and tell them how hurt you were that they weren't honest.
Tell them that you won't be using them anymore, and that they will be losing any referrals you may have given them in the future. Loss of business in this fading economy is much worse than the threat of a lawsuit that you probably wouldn't win. Good luck to your poor baby, and I'm sorry for all the pain you have both been through! Keep us posted!

[Jaya and Jenna]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Sure accidents happen all the time, but the decision that needs to made is, was this an ordinary accident, or was there any negligence involved? Was this a simple slip of the hand? Or were there not precautions that should have been taken to prevent this? Lastly, was the groomer, in any way negligent, in her duties? One thing, after the "accident" she was grossly negligent in not reporting this to the dog's owner. What if the dog was put to bed afterward, and the wound continued to bleed all night? This sort of thing should always be reported. The courts have something called punitive damages that go above actual damages and they are used in cases where the judge feels like the defendant had not taken reasonable precautions to prevent such a thing from happening, such as properly restraining the dog. Punitive damages are also very useful in making businesses responsible to their clients. In the past, many companies found it cheaper to pay off angry consumers because the "actual" damages" didn't really hurt their bottom line, and so their shoddy practices would continue, however when judges added punitive damages the companies in question decided a policy change was in order. I'm not suggesting she should sue, I think she will have more information when she talks to her vet, but the company should do more than return the fees she paid. I don't know what's fair in a case like this, but company policy should change, and customers should always be informed in cases of injury.

I don't know if there is a state licensing board that you could report them to as well, but a good company would bend over backwards apologizing, and inform you what they were going to do, so this would never happen to anybody again. I realize many people sue only for the monetary gain; however, many others sue to protect others from the same situation.

Thank you Nancy. That is exactly it.

[JonlyCajunQueen]

I hope your furbaby is doing ok...his ear heals soon. I feel we are all human and we all make mistakes and do things that are wrong. I think since they have refuned you and they offered to pay the vet bill. I am a forgiver because I would want to be forgiven too. I am not a sue happy person.

[Mayas Mommy]

OMG ... this is awful .... I hope your Furbaby is doing better ......

I would have rushed him to a Vet asap ..... and then would of went back to the Groomer ..... you know I think I would have been made if they told me but NOT telling at all is worse ......

[Katylou]

I'm so sorry for you and your baby. I'm sure grooming accidents happen but it was negligent on their part by not informing you right away what happened. That is what I would find unforgivable. And especially if you have been a good customer. I agree that I would have my vet check it out - maybe some antibiotic what with so many dogs being in one place.

[abbey lee]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

I'm sorry that your little on had to hurt. I hope the wound heals ok.

I realize your angry and it should not have happened, but sometimes Sh** happens.

Americans are sue happy and there are too many frivolous lawsuits in this country. Law suits don't undo the damage or bring back a life.

and for those who say "it's not the money." It's the money.

You got your money back they offered to pay the vet bill. they said they were sorry. Not much more they can do. Like I said sometimes Sh** happens and there is no one to blame.