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Read moreHorse riding accident claims
If you have been involved in a horse riding accident caused by somebody else’s negligence, you could be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries.
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Horse riding is a popular activity in the UK, attracting thousands of participants every year, from committed and professional riders to first-time child riders. However, due to the nature of the sport, which involves animals weighing up to 500kg and capable of reaching speeds of 40mph, it poses inherent risks to both participants and spectators, making horse riding safety a crucial concern.
As an equestrian, you are likely aware of the significant risk of injury associated with horse riding, despite the best safety measures and intentions. Accidents can happen, but if you suffered an injury due to negligence on the part of those responsible for your safety, you might be eligible to make a horse riding accident claim.
If you would like to discuss a horse riding accident with an experienced solicitor, call 0800 470 0474 today or enter your details to receive a call back. If you have a valid claim with a fair chance of success, you will be able to benefit from a no win no fee* service, meaning you will not lose a single penny if your case fails.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.
Horse riding accidents refer to any incident where a rider, spectator, or other person is injured or harmed while participating in horse riding activities. These accidents can be due to several factors, such as the behaviour of the horse, a lack of appropriate safety measures, or the negligence of those responsible for your safety, such as riding instructors, trainers, or horse owners.
A horse riding accident can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to more severe injuries like broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and head trauma. In some cases, a fall from a horse can even be fatal. Regardless of your accident, if it was due to another party’s negligence, you should be able to receive compensation for your pain and suffering.
To determine if you are eligible to start a horse riding injury claim, your injury lawyer will consider several factors:
If these three criteria are met, you are likely eligible to claim horse riding accident compensation. It is recommended that you seek the advice of an experienced personal injury solicitor who can assess your case and guide you through the legal process.
If you have been injured in a horse riding accident that was not your fault, you might be entitled to recover compensation for all the damages you incurred. These may include physical pain and suffering, psychological trauma and financial losses. Here are the main steps you should take to make a horse riding injury claim:
Seek medical attention
The first and most essential step is to seek medical attention for your injuries. That will ensure that you receive the appropriate treatment and documentation of your injuries, which will be necessary for your claim.
Collect evidence
Collect any evidence that can support your case, which may include the following:
Contact a personal injury lawyer
A personal injury solicitor with experience in horse riding accident claims can help you assess the strength of your case and guide you through the legal process. They will also be able to help you negotiate a fair compensation award or represent you in court if necessary. You can call 0800 470 0474 or click here to arrange a free case assessment, where you can also ask any questions you may have about the claims process.
Start legal proceedings
Your solicitor will help you start a claim against the person or entity responsible for your injuries. This may include the horse owner, riding instructor, or the facility where the accident occurred. They will also help you gather all the evidence you need to prove how the accident happened, who is to blame and the injuries you have suffered. The other side usually has up to three months to investigate your accident and admit or deny liability for it.
Negotiate a settlement
If the other side admits responsibility, your solicitor will work with them or their insurance company to negotiate a fair horse riding accident compensation. Your case may go to court if a settlement cannot be reached, although this is usually an unlikely event, as more than 95% of all personal injury claims settle without a trial.
If your horse riding injury claim is successful, you will receive the compensation you are entitled to within weeks. If your case fails, you will incur no financial losses, as the solicitors we work in partnership with will be able to offer you a no win no fee agreement.
While equestrian sports and horse riding can be very pleasurable and rewarding, a fall from a horse or other related accidents can be devastating. There are several common causes of horse riding accidents, including:
If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to any of these or other types of negligence, you might be entitled to claim horse riding accident compensation. To find out if you have a valid claim, call 0800 470 0474 or enter your details into our online claim form to arrange a free consultation with a legal adviser.
You may be injured in a horse riding accident for various reasons, whether you are on or off a horse. While some injuries may be pure accidents and not eligible for compensation, there are situations where another party may be held accountable, including:
The types of injuries that can be sustained through horse riding vary significantly. Some of the most common traumas that result in compensation claims include:
The severity of the above injuries will vary from one case to another, but the more severe the damage and suffering, the greater a horse riding accident compensation award is likely to be.
To determine whether you can make a compensation claim for injuries sustained in a horse riding accident, it is necessary to establish whether another party owed you a duty of care. Your solicitor will need to prove who was responsible for the accident and the resulting injuries. Liability could be attributed to various parties, including:
You could also start a horse riding injury claim if you suffered an accident while working at a stable, gymkhana or something similar and your employer failed to:
During a free initial case assessment, a solicitor will be able to determine who could be responsible for your injuries. They will then help you gather evidence to prove liability and contact the other side to negotiate your horse riding accident compensation.
Spectators at horse riding events have legal protection against the risk of injury as the event organisers owe them a duty of care. However, it is essential to acknowledge the inherent risks of attending such an event and to follow safety measures to avoid being held responsible for any resulting injuries.
Whether you are eligible to claim compensation for injuries sustained as a spectator at a horse riding event depends on the circumstances of the accident and who was responsible for it. To be able to claim, you must show that the negligent or intentional behaviour of the defendant directly caused the injury.
In some cases, the inappropriate actions of the horse rider may make them liable for any claims. Alternatively, if the accident was due to poorly maintained racetracks or seating areas, the organisers may be liable for any damages. However, if you acted negligently, such as failing to follow safety instructions or entering restricted areas, you may be unable to make a horse riding injury claim.
It is important to seek legal advice from an experienced personal injury solicitor who can review the specific details of your case and advise you on your eligibility. They can also help you navigate the legal process and pursue compensation for your injuries.
Each claim for a horse riding accident is different, so there is no pre-set compensation award. Several factors will determine the value of your settlement, including the type and extent of the injuries you suffered, how the accident affected your daily life, the related financial expenses and whether you hold any part of the blame.
Your solicitor will assess the value of your claim based on two types of damages:
General damages are based on the physical injuries and their consequences, such as:
Special damages are based on all the related financial losses and expenses and may include the following:
Special damages are easier to calculate and are based on all the financial evidence you have, such as pay slips, receipts, bank statements and invoices. General damages are more difficult to calculate as they consider subjective losses that are not easily quantifiable.
Your solicitor will refer to the guidelines published by the Judicial College to work out a fair settlement for general damages. Based on their guidelines, your claim could be worth anything from £1,000 to £322,000, depending on the severity of your injuries, from minor cuts and lacerations to paralysis and severe brain trauma.
You can refer to our compensation calculator or arrange a free case assessment with a legal adviser to learn more about how much compensation your horse riding accident could be worth.
As with most sports injury claims, you must usually start horse riding accident claims within three years from the date you were injured. This period is called the claim limitation date, and if this date has passed, you will usually lose your eligibility for compensation.
If the injuries sustained were not discovered until a point in time after the accident, this would be considered the starting point of your limitation period. There are several other circumstances where the usual time limit to claim does not apply:
You are advised to begin your claim at the earliest opportunity to ensure that these time limits are not exceeded, the evidence to support your claim is easier to obtain, and memories of the incident are clearer for both yourself and any witnesses.
Yes, under UK law you are entitled to seek horse riding accident compensation for someone who cannot handle their claim. That could be the case if:
To claim for someone else, you must be appointed by the court as their litigation friend. As part of this process, you will have to fill in a certificate of suitability showing that:
Becoming a litigation friend could be a long-term commitment that brings several responsibilities, such as:
The role of a litigation friend typically ends when the case settles, when a minor turns 18, or if an incapacitated adult regains their intellectual abilities.
If you have a valid horse riding accident claim, your solicitor will offer you a no win no fee service. This type of arrangement is also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which means that your solicitor will only receive a payment if they win the case. If you receive compensation, they will receive a success fee that is deducted from your compensation award and is capped at 25% of your settlement.
The no win no fee agreement also involves taking an After the Event (ATE) insurance policy that will offer protection against legal charges and disbursements in case your claim fails, such as:
To determine whether a no win no fee arrangement is appropriate for your case, you should consult with a qualified personal injury solicitor who specialises in horse riding accidents. They can evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and advise you on whether a no win no fee arrangement is appropriate for your specific circumstances.
To start a no win no fee claim for horse riding accident compensation, call 0800 470 0474 today. Alternatively, you can enter your details below to arrange a call back and receive a free case assessment with an experienced solicitor.