It was a normal Wednesday at Dr. Broussard’s veterinary clinic in Lafayette. A golden retriever named Max was in for his annual shots. He was usually sweet, but something about the waiting room energy had him on edge. As his owner tried to hold him steady, Max snapped—biting a nearby client who had reached out to pet him without asking.
The woman needed stitches. She was upset. And within a week, Dr. Broussard got a letter from her lawyer.
Veterinary clinics aren’t just about caring for animals—they’re also responsible for the people who walk through the door. When a client gets bitten by a pet, your practice could be held liable, even if you didn’t cause the injury.
Let’s break down what happens next—and what kind of insurance can protect your practice.
Most people assume that if a dog or cat bites someone, the owner is responsible. And that’s often true. But when the bite happens inside your clinic, it’s not always that simple.
Here’s why your clinic could be blamed:
Your staff was handling the animal
The bite happened in your exam room or waiting area
The owner claims they weren’t warned of aggressive behavior
You didn’t provide proper restraint or containment
In these cases, the injured person could argue that your clinic failed to provide a safe environment. That could lead to a personal injury claim against your business.
The right commercial insurance policies can protect your veterinary practice from the costs of a client bite incident. Here’s what you’ll likely need.
This is your first line of defense when someone claims your business caused bodily injury or property damage.
When a client gets bitten on-site, your general liability policy can help cover:
Medical expenses for the injured person
Legal defense if they file a lawsuit
Settlements or court-ordered damages
It’s designed to cover third-party claims, meaning clients—not your employees or yourself.
If the bite happened during an exam, grooming procedure, or surgical prep—and the claim involves how your staff handled the pet—your professional liability policy may also be involved.
This covers claims related to the professional services your clinic provides. So if someone alleges your vet tech failed to secure the dog correctly, or your advice led to an injury, this coverage matters.
Not all bite situations are insurable. It’s important to know the gaps.
Common exclusions may include:
Employee injuries – these fall under workers’ compensation
Animal-on-animal incidents – like one client’s dog biting another
Claims involving known aggressive animals if proper precautions weren’t taken
Criminal negligence or knowingly ignoring safety hazards
That’s why regular staff training, patient records, and safety procedures are key.
You don’t need a wild animal to have a wild day at your clinic. Here are a few ways these situations unfold:
A cat in a soft carrier gets approached by a curious dog. The dog lunges and bites the client holding the carrier. The clinic didn’t have a pet separation policy in place.
Your general liability would likely kick in.
A vet tech restrains a dog for an exam, and the client steps in to help. The dog bites the client’s arm. They claim your staff didn’t warn them not to assist.
This could involve professional liability coverage.
A groggy dog wakes up from sedation, gets startled, and bites someone in recovery. If the clinic didn’t have proper barriers or signage, that could lead to a claim.
Both general and professional liability might be evaluated.
Insurance helps when things go wrong, but prevention helps avoid the mess in the first place. Here’s how you can protect clients and your practice.
Take a few key precautions:
Use clear signage: “Do Not Pet,” “Please Ask Before Approaching Pets,” etc.
Separate waiting areas for dogs and cats when possible
Train staff on safe handling and client communication
Keep detailed records of animals with known aggression
Inform clients when their pet is showing signs of stress or agitation
A calm, well-managed environment makes a big difference—for both pets and their people.
Veterinary clinics walk a fine line between care and chaos. You do everything you can to protect the pets in your care—but you also need protection for your business when something goes wrong.
At Kastner Insurance, we specialize in commercial insurance for veterinary clinics and other professional offices across Louisiana, including Lafayette, Youngsville, Broussard, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Alexandria, and the surrounding parishes.
We help you get the right general and professional liability coverage—so one bite doesn’t sink your practice.
Reach out to us today for a custom insurance quote for your veterinary clinic. Let’s make sure you’re covered, confident, and protected.
Founded in 2017, Kastner Insurance Group is a full-service, independent insurance broker based in Lafayette, LA. Our insurance agents specialize in offering a variety of insurance products tailored to individual and commercial needs, making sure clients receive personalized and comprehensive coverage options from a variety of insurance companies/insurance carriers.
With over 43 years of combined experience, the team at Kastner Insurance Group is dedicated to providing expert advice and exceptional service. They proudly serve professional offices and businesses across Lafayette city/parish, Youngsville, Broussard, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Alexandria, Acadiana, and statewide in Louisiana.
Call us today or visit our website for a customized quote.
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