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Companion Animals in Law: The Legal Status of Companion Animals, Veterinary Malpractice, and Other Common Claims

2025-05-21 13:00:00

2025-05-21 13:00:00

2 Credits

Examines companion animals’ evolving legal status, veterinary malpractice claims, damage recovery strategies, and service animal protections under current law.

2025-05-21 13:00:00

Examines companion animals’ evolving legal status, veterinary malpractice claims, damage recovery strategies, and service animal protections under current law.

2025-05-21 13:00:00

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Course Overview

Companion Animal Law: Claims, Status, Recovery

Participants will learn how to navigate veterinary malpractice claims, understand evolving legal protections for companion animals, and pursue emotional distress damages through intentional tort and contract theories.

Key topics that will be covered

What will you learn

Attorneys will learn about the evolving legal status of companion animals, veterinary malpractice claims, service animal protections, and strategies for recovering damages in animal injury cases.

What will you gain

Attorneys will gain practical guidance on case selection, expert witness engagement, emotional distress damage recovery strategies, and understanding realistic damage expectations in veterinary malpractice litigation.

Legal Status
Animals remain legally classified as property, limiting damages recovery.
Service Animals
ADA protects service dogs; FHA covers emotional support animals separately.
Veterinary Malpractice
Claims require proving duty, breach of standard of care, causation, and damages.
Emotional Distress
Recovery possible through intentional torts or breach of contract claims.
Consumer Fraud
False advertising claims against veterinary providers may allow attorneys’ fees recovery.
Damages Limits
Recovery typically limited to replacement value and reasonable veterinary expenses.

What will you learn

Attorneys will learn about the evolving legal status of companion animals, veterinary malpractice claims, service animal protections, and strategies for recovering damages in animal injury cases.

What will you gain

Attorneys will gain practical guidance on case selection, expert witness engagement, emotional distress damage recovery strategies, and understanding realistic damage expectations in veterinary malpractice litigation.

Agenda

Session 1

Legal Status of Companion Animals: Evolving Protections

Break

Break

Session 2

Veterinary Malpractice and Companion Animal Service Claims

clock 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EST

Legal Status of Companion Animals: Evolving Protections

Sarah A. Thompson

Ryther Law Group LLP

This session explores how companion animals are defined in law and their historical treatment as personal property in tort actions. Attendees will examine the growing conflict between traditional property classifications and evolving public opinion, new legislation, and changing damage recovery options. The session also covers federal and state protections for service animals and emotional support animals under the ADA and Fair Housing Act.

Sarah A. Thompson

Ryther Law Group LLP

clock 2:00 pm - 2:10 pm EST

Break

Sarah A. Thompson

Ryther Law Group LLP

A short intermission between sessions allowing attendees to refresh before continuing with the program.

Sarah A. Thompson

Ryther Law Group LLP

clock 2:10 pm - 3:10 pm EST

Veterinary Malpractice and Companion Animal Service Claims

Sarah A. Thompson

Ryther Law Group LLP

This session addresses the legal standards governing veterinary malpractice, including negligence, duty of care, and liability frameworks for veterinary service providers. Participants will learn about common claims such as misdiagnosis, surgical errors, and informed consent disputes, along with defenses available to veterinary professionals. The session concludes with an examination of emerging litigation trends including false advertising claims and legislative efforts to expand damage recovery for pet owners.

Sarah A. Thompson

Ryther Law Group LLP

01 03
Prev
Next

speakers

Joe Ervin

The Law Firm for Truck Safety, LLP
A Partner at The Law Firm for Truck Safety. He focuses exclusively on cases involving commercial motor vehicle crashes and wrongful death. Joe also holds a valid class “A” commercial driver’s license with endorsements for double/triple trailers and tankers.

Education & Credentials

A 2013 graduate of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, Wyoming, Joe is rated AV Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell — the highest peer rating for exceptional legal ability and ethics. He is among the first nine attorneys nationwide to earn board certification in Truck Accident Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

Recognition & Leadership

Joe received the Roadway Safety Award from the American Association for Justice (AAJ) for his commitment to improving highway safety.
 He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA) Safety Committee, advocating for higher safety standards across the trucking industry.

Professional Involvement

Joe serves on the faculty of the AAJ Advanced Trial Advocacy College: Litigating Truck Collision Cases (2015 & 2024).
 He is an active member of AAJ’s Trucking Litigation Group and sits on the Board of Regents for the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys.

Experience

Joe frequently consults and co-counsels on complex commercial truck cases. His proven track record includes numerous successful trials against motor carriers and truck leasing companies — delivering justice for victims of commercial vehicle accidents.

Kevin Foley

Reminger Co
A Partner at The Law Firm for Truck Safety. He focuses exclusively on cases involving commercial motor vehicle crashes and wrongful death. Joe also holds a valid class “A” commercial driver’s license with endorsements for double/triple trailers and tankers.

Education & Credentials

A 2013 graduate of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, Wyoming, Joe is rated AV Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell — the highest peer rating for exceptional legal ability and ethics. He is among the first nine attorneys nationwide to earn board certification in Truck Accident Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

Recognition & Leadership

Joe received the Roadway Safety Award from the American Association for Justice (AAJ) for his commitment to improving highway safety.
 He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA) Safety Committee, advocating for higher safety standards across the trucking industry.

Professional Involvement

Joe serves on the faculty of the AAJ Advanced Trial Advocacy College: Litigating Truck Collision Cases (2015 & 2024).
 He is an active member of AAJ’s Trucking Litigation Group and sits on the Board of Regents for the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys.

Experience

Joe frequently consults and co-counsels on complex commercial truck cases. His proven track record includes numerous successful trials against motor carriers and truck leasing companies — delivering justice for victims of commercial vehicle accidents.

Grant H. Lawson

The Law Firm for Truck Safety, LLP
A Partner at The Law Firm for Truck Safety. He focuses exclusively on cases involving commercial motor vehicle crashes and wrongful death. Joe also holds a valid class “A” commercial driver’s license with endorsements for double/triple trailers and tankers.

Education & Credentials

A 2013 graduate of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, Wyoming, Joe is rated AV Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell — the highest peer rating for exceptional legal ability and ethics. He is among the first nine attorneys nationwide to earn board certification in Truck Accident Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

Recognition & Leadership

Joe received the Roadway Safety Award from the American Association for Justice (AAJ) for his commitment to improving highway safety.
 He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA) Safety Committee, advocating for higher safety standards across the trucking industry.

Professional Involvement

Joe serves on the faculty of the AAJ Advanced Trial Advocacy College: Litigating Truck Collision Cases (2015 & 2024).
 He is an active member of AAJ’s Trucking Litigation Group and sits on the Board of Regents for the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys.

Experience

Joe frequently consults and co-counsels on complex commercial truck cases. His proven track record includes numerous successful trials against motor carriers and truck leasing companies — delivering justice for victims of commercial vehicle accidents.

Sarah A. Thompson

Ryther Law Group LLP

Sarah A. Thompson

Ryther Law Group LLP

Sarah A. Thompson is a Partner at Ryther Law Group LLP with substantial litigation skills and experience in family law and animal law. She has significant courtroom and trial experience, particularly in domestic violence restraining order matters and veterinary malpractice cases.

Education & Credentials

Villanova University, magna cum laude, major in Sociology with minors in French and Political Science (2012). Juris Doctorate from University of San Francisco School of Law, graduating with honors (2015), with merit awards in Administrative Law, Family Law, and Evidence. Certificate in Public Interest Law from USF. Currently pursuing LLM in Animal Law from Lewis & Clark Law School.

Recognition & Leadership

Selected as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers for six consecutive years (2020-2025). Published articles in the Los Angeles Daily Journal, including 'Supplemental Discovery Requests: An underused tool in an era of delay' (2020). Featured in radio, news, and YouTube interviews concerning animal rights and her cases.

Professional Involvement

Member of Los Angeles County Bar Association, Beverly Hills Bar Association, and Riverside County Bar Association. Volunteers with Apex Protection Project, including sponsoring wolf dogs, assisting with legal issues, and reviewing applications. Co-founded Red Wolf Rescue animal advocacy and sanctuary nonprofit. Works as rescue partner and attorney with Expand Animal Rights Now.

Experience

Practiced family law for five years in San Francisco and Los Angeles before joining Ryther Law Group in 2022, becoming Partner in 2024. Taught Legal Drafting as adjunct faculty at USF for two years. Lead attorney in numerous trials and administrative hearings, including successful trials preventing euthanasia of canine companions, domestic violence restraining order trials, small claims appeals, and a three-week jury trial in 2023 winning punitive and emotional distress damages in veterinary malpractice. Instrumental in securing safe release of 29 wolf dogs from City of Barstow and Shasta County.

Sarah A. Thompson

Ryther Law Group LLP

Sarah A. Thompson is a Partner at Ryther Law Group LLP with substantial litigation skills and experience in family law and animal law. She has significant courtroom and trial experience, particularly in domestic violence restraining order matters and veterinary malpractice cases.

Education & Credentials

Villanova University, magna cum laude, major in Sociology with minors in French and Political Science (2012). Juris Doctorate from University of San Francisco School of Law, graduating with honors (2015), with merit awards in Administrative Law, Family Law, and Evidence. Certificate in Public Interest Law from USF. Currently pursuing LLM in Animal Law from Lewis & Clark Law School.

Recognition & Leadership

Selected as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers for six consecutive years (2020-2025). Published articles in the Los Angeles Daily Journal, including 'Supplemental Discovery Requests: An underused tool in an era of delay' (2020). Featured in radio, news, and YouTube interviews concerning animal rights and her cases.

Professional Involvement

Member of Los Angeles County Bar Association, Beverly Hills Bar Association, and Riverside County Bar Association. Volunteers with Apex Protection Project, including sponsoring wolf dogs, assisting with legal issues, and reviewing applications. Co-founded Red Wolf Rescue animal advocacy and sanctuary nonprofit. Works as rescue partner and attorney with Expand Animal Rights Now.

Experience

Practiced family law for five years in San Francisco and Los Angeles before joining Ryther Law Group in 2022, becoming Partner in 2024. Taught Legal Drafting as adjunct faculty at USF for two years. Lead attorney in numerous trials and administrative hearings, including successful trials preventing euthanasia of canine companions, domestic violence restraining order trials, small claims appeals, and a three-week jury trial in 2023 winning punitive and emotional distress damages in veterinary malpractice. Instrumental in securing safe release of 29 wolf dogs from City of Barstow and Shasta County.

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