Why Your Veterinary Clinic in Louisiana Needs Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)

What Is EPLI—and Why Does Your Vet Clinic Need It?

Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) protects your veterinary clinic from employee-related claims like:

• Discrimination (age, race, gender, disability)

• Harassment (including sexual harassment)

• Wrongful termination

• Retaliation

• Mismanagement of employee benefits

• Failure to promote or hire fairly

Even in small teams, misunderstandings, poor documentation, or offhand comments can turn into costly legal claims.

Veterinary Clinics Are Not Immune

In fact, veterinary practices in Louisiana are especially vulnerable because:

• They tend to be tight-knit and informal (less documentation)

• Many lack dedicated HR staff

• Long hours and stress can create emotionally charged environments

• Employees often wear multiple hats, increasing the risk of unclear expectations

It only takes one employee feeling mistreated—rightly or wrongly—for your entire practice to be dragged into a legal battle.

What EPLI Typically Covers

An EPLI policy can help cover:

• Legal fees for defense—even if the claim is groundless

• Settlements or judgments if the case goes to court

• Back pay and front pay if the court awards it

• Punitive damages in some cases, depending on your policy

Real-World Scenario: The Offhand Comment

A receptionist jokingly calls a coworker "grandma" during a staff meeting. The coworker files an age discrimination claim. Even if it’s resolved quickly, the legal defense alone can cost thousands. Without EPLI, that comes out of your pocket.

Real-World Scenario: Hiring Gone Wrong

A qualified candidate is passed over for a vet tech position. They later claim it was due to their disability, not their experience. Even if you had legitimate reasons, you now need legal defense and documentation to back your case.

What EPLI Does Not Cover

It’s important to know the limits. EPLI generally does not cover:

• Workers' compensation claims

• Professional liability (malpractice)

• Criminal acts or intentional wrongdoing

• Contract violations

• Wage and hour disputes (unless specifically added)

You need a well-rounded commercial insurance plan to protect all areas of risk.

How Much Does EPLI Cost for a Vet Practice?

In Louisiana, a small veterinary clinic might pay between $1,000 and $3,000 annually for EPLI, depending on:

• Number of employees

• Claims history

• Employee turnover

• Whether you’ve implemented anti-harassment training or written policies

It’s a relatively small price to pay to avoid six-figure lawsuits.

How to Reduce Your Risk (Even If You Have EPLI)

EPLI is there to protect you—but prevention is always better than reaction. Start with:

• Clear employee handbooks with documented policies

• Regular training on harassment, DEI, and workplace conduct

• Formal hiring and firing procedures

• Accurate employee records and performance reviews

• Open communication channels to address complaints early

Protect Your People. Protect Your Practice.

You love animals—but your practice runs on people. And people are unpredictable. Even one accusation can stain your reputation, drain your bank account, and shake your confidence as a business owner.

That’s why Kastner Insurance offers EPLI coverage tailored specifically for veterinary clinics in Louisiana—from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, Alexandria to Youngsville. We understand your risks, and we know how to cover them.

Let’s talk about how to protect your clinic from employee-related claims before a legal headache walks through the door.

About Kastner Insurance Group