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When Clients Attack: Legal options for responding to negative social media posts

Upset clients are an unfortunate reality of veterinary practices. No matter how experienced the veterinarian or how diligent the treatment, some clients still leave unhappy. In the age of social media, this unhappiness can lead to problems, even when the veterinarian’s care was entirely proper.

Clients can use social media to vent their real and perceived problems, leading to frustration, anger, and a sense of powerlessness on the part of the veterinarian. Thankfully, there are a range of options available to combat these problems. Often, social media attacks can be resolved without resorting to hiring an attorney or the courts. That said, persistent or dangerous social media posts might require a legal solution.

While bad reviews can happen, a social media attack can cause shock and anxiety. What is the best way to respond?

Geoff Macbride, Associate in the firm’s San Francisco office, explores this interesting area of the law in his article “When clients attack: Legal options for responding to negative social media posts,” which was published in Veterinary Practice News on March 16, 2021.

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