2009 Year in Review: When the bond breaks

Vermont's Supreme Court won't be the first or last governmental body to consider emotional damages when it comes to loss of companion animals. In fact, Hawaii and New York eyed legislation to compensate for emotional distress and loss of companionship. Since 2007, states including Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island have considered this issue when a pet is wrongfully injured or killed. Dr. Celina Hatt of Ewa Beach, Hawaii (pictured below) doesn't believe these laws will offer vindication in wrongful death lawsuits. See More legislators are proposing laws to allow emotional damages in malpractice cases.

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