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Horse Riding Injury Lawyers Manchester
Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident involving a horse?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a horse-riding accident, or another type of accident involving a horse and you believe it was the result of someone else’s carelessness then it is highly likely that you are entitled to pursue a claim for financial damages. First of all, you have our sincere sympathies for the pain and suffering you, or your loved one has endured. We understand all too well the life-changing consequences such accidents and injuries can have on the injured party and their families.
In Sheldon Davidson you will find a genuine ally who deems it critically important that justice is done, and you get the financial award you so rightly deserve. The law around accidents involving animals is extremely complex however, and the main task for the Solicitor is to prove that a third party was in some way negligent. For this reason, it is imperative to a successful outcome that you have the best legal representation available.
Sheldon Davidson are the go-to law firm for serious injury compensation claims in Greater Manchester and we have a track record of success in securing financial compensation for our clients, including cases where animals were involved. Call one of our experts today for a free and impartial consultation and after hearing the details of your accident we will advise whether there is a case to be answered.
Why are there so many injuries where horses are involved?
Horse Riding is an enjoyable and popular pursuit, undertaken habitually by many people in the UK. Alongside those who practice riding as a hobby, there are those who are more seriously and professionally involved i.e. those who actually own their own horses and who compete in formal equestrian events.
Additionally, there are currently around 450 licensed Jockeys in Britain, who partake professionally in the elite and popular sport that is Horse Racing.
The most recent figures published by the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) in 2015 indicated that there are approx. 995,000 horses in the UK and 19 million Equestrian consumers. Considering then all the people involved in caring for horses, such as Stable-hands, Equine Veterinarians, Farriers, Trainers, Jockeys, Riding Instructors, etc there are many people exposed to horses on a regular basis, both for enjoyment and as part of their job. Despite Horses being undoubtedly beautiful animals, their behaviour can be unpredictable and so there is an element of risk involved whenever people and horses are in contact.
Unfortunately, horse riding accidents can and do result in serious and sometimes catastrophic injuries to riders and those employed to care for horses. If you or a loved one has been involved in a horse-riding accident or another type of accident involving a horse(s) and you believe someone else was at fault then contact one of our specialist serious injury Solicitors today.
At Sheldon Davidson, we have experts who are highly experienced in managing such cases and we will be able to advise you quickly whether you are entitled to pursue a claim for financial compensation.
Types and causes of accidents involving Horses
Horses are generally gentle animals and are loved by many people the world over. They can, however, be unpredictable and dangerous, especially if startled or threatened. In such cases, they can bolt and try to unseat a rider, or they will use their teeth or feet to defend against the perceived threat.
One of the most dangerous forms of horse-riding is Cross-Country Eventing since the horse and the rider are traveling and jumping obstacles at speed.
The most common types / causes of accidents involving horses include:
Rider Inexperience – many people who partake in horse-riding have little or no experience of horses and how to handle them and this can increase the risk of an accident.
Falls – depending on the severity of the fall the resulting injuries can be broken bones, or in the worst case serious head or spinal injuries.
Crush Injuries – a horse is a heavy animal and compared to a human is on average 5-6 times heavier. A rider, or a carer being crushed by the weight of a horse during a fall, or against a wall, or gate can result in very serious injuries.
Bites or Kicks – when startled or threatened a horse will use the tools it has available to defend itself and a horse’s teeth and feet can quickly become dangerous weapons. A kick from the hind feet of a horse can be unexpected and explosive and if caught by such a kick the injuries sustained can be catastrophic and in some cases fatal.
Third Party Negligence – where drivers drive too fast or too close to a horse and its rider causing the horse to spook.
Prevention against accident & injury
As with any activity that poses a risk to health and safety, there are certain measures that should be taken to safeguard against accident and injury and these include:
- Provision and wearing of riding hats and body protectors. This can greatly reduce the risk of head or spinal injury in the case of a fall.
- Road Riding Wear, such as Hi-Viz equipment and completion of the Riding & Road Safety Test.
- Learning to ride with an experienced and qualified instructor.
Some examples where third parties could be considered negligent and therefore liable in the event of an accident involving a horse include:
- The use of defective or poorly fitted equipment. If the horses tack is not properly fitted there is a higher risk of an inexperienced rider being unseated and potentially suffering serious injury as a result.
- Poorly planned riding lessons, resulting in a rider being given an unsuitable horse to ride, overcrowding in the riding arena, regular instructor unavailable resulting in a more junior replacement. All of these scenarios could increase the risk of an accident.
- Poorly constructed fencing during competition which could be deemed to blame for a fall, or inadequately marked or constructed barriers for spectators resulting in a kick or crush injury.
- Improper training and staff guidelines in workplaces where horses are present can result in injuries and in such cases the employer would be in breach of the Health and Safety at work act 1974.
These examples are in no way exhaustive, so if you, or a loved one has suffered injuries in an accident involving a horse that isn’t covered by one of these examples, you should still get in contact to discuss the specific details of your case with one of our Solicitors. Only on hearing the unique details of your accident will we be able to advise with some degree of certainty whether there is a case to be answered.
