Horse riding provides riders with the thrill of adventure and freedom, a strong connection with nature and a unique bond with an animal. However, horse riding comes with its own risks due to the large and powerful nature of the horse. The rider can be made vulnerable, especially if they are exposed to a third party’s negligence. Moreover, the consequences of such a situation can be devastating, resulting in the rider suffering life-changing injuries ranging from head trauma to spinal cord injuries. Don’t worry, we can help you navigate horse riding accident claims and personal injury compensation.
Important Points
- Horse riding accidents can involve things like faulty equipment, hazardous environments and poor instruction.
- Horse riding injuries can range in severity from a broken finger to paralysis.
- You can claim for both new injuries as well as the worsening of a pre-existing condition.
- The more evidence you can put forward, the stronger your horse riding claim will be.
- Professional legal help dramatically improves the likelihood of your claim winning and can significantly increase your compensation.
Here at Accident Claims, we know that compensation can’t change or reverse what has happened to you; however, we believe that it can help you move forward and give you access to the care that you deserve. Notably, our solicitors will help you secure this compensation on a No Win No Fee basis. This is because they believe professional legal help shouldn’t be influenced by gatekeeping and that everyone deserves experienced and compassionate representation when they are in need of it.
So, if you want to work with solicitors who understand the short and long-term impact an injury can have on you, get in touch using the following contact details:
Contact Us
- Phone us on 0800 073 8801
- Start a claim online
- Our live chat has a bot-free guarantee–you’re just a click away from talking to a dedicated advisor.
4.8 (948 reviews)Jump To A Section
- What Are Considered Horse Riding Accidents?
- Can I Make A Horse Riding Accident Claim?
- Horse Riding Accident Claims On Behalf Of A Loved One
- The Common Injuries Sustained In A Horse Riding Accident
- How Much Compensation Will I Receive For My Horse Riding Injury?
- What Will I Need To Prove My Accident Was A Result Of Someone Else’s Negligence?
- No Win No Fee Horse Riding Accident Claims
- Horse Riding Accident Claim FAQs
- Learn More
What Are Considered Horse Riding Accidents?
Horse riding accidents can include falls from the horse, being kicked or bitten, crush injuries and collisions. These incidents can happen because of a variety of influential factors, ranging from poor equipment to environmental hazards.
Please take a look at some examples of horse riding accidents below:
Horse Riding Accidents On The Road
- A driver is speeding down a country road and accidentally clips the back of a horse with their wing mirror. The horse rears from the impact and throws its rider.
- A drunk driver ploughs into the side of a horse, killing the animal instantly, which results in the rider being crushed.
Horse Riding Accidents At An Equestrian Centre
- The estery at an equestrian centre was not cleared before a beginner’s class, resulting in an inexperienced rider’s horse tripping and throwing them.
- A child is not given a helmet at their local horse-riding school and falls off their horse without protection.
Notably, you should be aware that the Riding Establishments Acts 1964 and 1970 regulate commercial riding schools and businesses that hire out horses.
Moreover, it’s important to note that some incidents may qualify as valid claims, but are hard to prove. As an illustration, a driver purposefully and aggressively beeps at a rider, spooking the horse, which results in the animal bucking and injuring its rider. Whilst this claim demonstrates validity, not all CCTV and dashcam footage has audio, so it may be challenging to prove that the driver’s horn was the catalyst for the rider’s accident and subsequent injuries.
If one of these accidents has happened to you or you’re curious as to what other incidents might qualify as valid horse riding accident claims, please speak to our team today.
Can I Make A Horse Riding Accident Claim?
Yes, you can make a horse riding accident claim if you can prove someone else’s negligence caused your injury. Specifically, negligence is a breach of duty of care which results in injury.
It’s important to clarify at this point that a duty of care can look different depending on the setting in which your horse riding accident took place. Please take a look at the distinctions below:
On The Roads
All road users owe a duty of care to one another by using the roads safely to prevent accidents and subsequent injury. Specifically, all road users must follow the rules of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code to ensure everyone’s safety. As a result, if a road user uses the road in a way that is deemed dangerous or reckless, they may have breached their duty of care. If another individual is injured as a consequence of this breach, they may have a valid claim.
In Public
When out and about in a public place, the occupier (a person or company with a sufficient degree of responsibility for a particular space) has a duty of care to take steps to ensure your reasonable safety, as per the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. Consequently, if you are injured in a public setting and it wasn’t your fault, the occupier of that space may have breached their duty of care towards you.
Notably, in order for your horse riding accident claim to be valid, you must satisfy the following eligibility criteria:
- An occupier or road user owed you a duty of care
- This duty of care was breached
- The breach of duty resulted in you suffering an injury
If you’re unsure whether your claim meets the eligibility criteria for horse riding accident claims, don’t worry; we can confirm the validity for you. Call us today.
4.8 (948 reviews)Horse Riding Accident Claims On Behalf Of A Loved One
Horse riding accident claims on behalf of a loved one can be made via the legally appointed role of a litigation friend. This role involves an adult who conducts legal proceedings on behalf of a child or an adult lacking the mental capacity to do so themselves. So, if you know someone who is below the age of 18 or lacks the mental capacity to claim independently, you can become their litigation friend.
Specifically, this role involves making decisions and instructing a solicitor, ensuring that the protected person’s best interests are represented at all times during the claims process. Common litigation friends include parents, relatives, or a professional advocate or solicitor.
The important thing we want you to take away from this section is that the litigation friend can claim on the protected party’s behalf while the time limit is paused.
To discuss the legal time limit with a professional when it comes to horse riding accident claims, get in touch with our team of expert advisors at your earliest convenience.
The Common Injuries Sustained In A Horse Riding Accident
The common injuries sustained in a horse riding accident include fractures, head injuries, spinal trauma and soft tissue damage. We’ve provided some examples for your perusal below:
- Brain Injuries: Concussion and traumatic brain injuries can occur from hitting the ground or other hard surfaces.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: The rider can suffer multiple broken bones from the impact of falling from a height or being kicked by the horse itself.
- Spinal Trauma: Injuries of this nature can include fractured vertebrae, herniated discs, or spinal cord damage, which can lead to paralysis.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: These are very common and can include bruises, contusions, as well as damage to ligaments, muscles and tendons.
- Damage to Internal Organs: Caused by blunt force trauma, these can include organ damage or internal bleeding.
- Cuts and Lacerations: Typically caused by sharp or jagged objects, resulting in deep and sliced tears or cuts to the skin.
If any of the above injuries have happened to you because of a horse riding accident that wasn’t your fault, please don’t suffer in silence. Call us today.
How Much Compensation Will I Receive For My Horse Riding Injury?
The amount of compensation you will receive for your horse riding injury is determined by the severity of your injury and whether you have incurred financial losses. As an illustration, the compensation a claimant may receive for a fractured wrist will be significantly different to another claimant who suffered paraplegia.
Importantly, your compensation comprises both general and special damages. (We discuss the latter in-depth in the following section.) General damages specifically cover any pain and suffering you have encountered as a direct result of your injury; this includes mental anguish.
Your specialist solicitor will investigate the following influential factors:
- The severity of the harm you suffered
- Whether it’s impacted your quality of life
- Whether you have suffered psychological damage
- Whether you have undergone invasive treatment
- Whether you have sustained deformity or disfigurement
- Whether you will encounter any pain and suffering in the future
When it comes to calculating your horse riding compensation, your solicitor will look at two documents: your medical report (usually confirmed by an independent medical professional) and the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). The JCG is an important publication which is made up of a wide range of injuries, severities, as well as their related compensation guidelines.
For a better understanding of how horse riding accident compensation can be calculated, we’ve provided you with a table below. It contains a few compensation brackets from the JCG. However, please take careful note of the fact that the first row has not been sourced from the JCG. Please take note that the table is only included for guideline purposes and does not represent the specifics of your claim.
| INJURY | COMPENSATION GUIDELINE | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Serious Injuries With Special Damages | Up to £1 Million+ | Multiple serious injuries with special damages such as loss of earnings, medical costs and child care. |
| Paralysis - Tetraplegia | £396,140 to £493,000 | The claimant will have suffered paralysis from the neck down and has full awareness of their disability. |
| Paraplegia | £267,340 to £346,890 | This award is influenced by several factors ranging from the presence of pain to the impact on sexual function. |
| Brain & Head Injury - Very Severe | £344,150 to £493,000 | If the claimant sits at the top end of this bracket there may be some ability to follow basic commands but there will be little to no meaningful response to environment. |
| Knee - Severe (ii) | £63,610 to £85,100 | The claimant will have suffered a leg fracture extending into the knee joint causing pain which is constant. |
| Neck Severe (iii) | £55,500 to £68,330 | The injury or injuries will entail serious fractures or damage to discs in the cervical spine. |
| Ankle - Severe | £38,210 to £61,090 | The claimant will have suffered an injury that requires an extensive period of treatment and/or a lengthy period in plaster. |
| Pelvis & Hips - Moderate (i) | £32,450 to £47,810 | This compensation bracket covers a significant injury to the pelvis or hip but any permanent disability is not major and any future risk not great. |
| Elbow - Less Severe Injuries | £19,100 to £39,070 | In this bracket the injured individual will have an injury causing impairment of function but not involving major surgery or significant disability. |
| Less Serious Hand Injury | £17,640 to £35,390 | This compensation bracket considers injuries such as a severe crush injury resulting in significantly impaired function without future surgery or despite operative treatment undergone. |
Call us today to find out more about compensation in relation to horse riding accident claims.
Can I Claim Financial Losses After Being Injured Horse Riding?
Yes, you can claim for your financial losses caused by a horse riding injury under special damages. Take a look below at several examples of financial losses which can be covered by special damages:
- Loss of Earnings: This refers to any money you may have lost because you were unable to work, including loss of overtime and bonuses.
- Gratuitous Care: If your friends and relatives had to help you during your recovery, their unpaid care can be compensated for.
- Medical Expenses: Expenses can also be covered for things like private medical treatment, medication, and necessary medical equipment.
- Rehabilitation Costs: The costs for any rehabilitation, such as physiotherapy and counselling, can be compensated for.
- Home or Car Adaptations: If your injury is serious enough for the need to require adapting your immediate environment, special damages can cover home or car adaptations.
- Travel Expenses: Even minor injuries often require medical treatment, which will involve travelling to and from healthcare settings, resulting in travel expenses.
Please be aware that if you think you are eligible to receive special damages, you will need to provide your solicitor with proof. Evidence can include payslips, invoices and receipts.
Can I Get Early Payments From My Compensation Settlement?
Yes, you may be able to get early payments from your compensation settlement through interim payments. Think of an interim payment as an advance on your horse riding compensation, which is designed to cover any immediate costs like medical expenses or loss of income. In a nutshell, interim payments are provided to claimants to prevent them from becoming financially disadvantaged during the claims process.
Notably, in order to receive interim payments, you typically need to show a strong likelihood of winning your case, as well as the fact that the payment is reasonable for urgent needs.
Another important thing to note is that an interim payment is a portion of your total compensation, not an extra sum.
If you think that you might be eligible to receive interim payments in relation to horse riding accident claims, please reach out to one of our friendly advisors today so we can assist you.
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What Will I Need To Prove My Accident Was A Result Of Someone Else’s Negligence?
To prove an accident was the result of some else’s negligence, you will need to gather evidence to show the extent of your injury as well as third-party liability.
You could prove your claim by providing:
- CCTV or dashcam footage
- Insurance and contact details of any drivers involved if the incident was a road traffic accident
- Medical records articulating the details of your injury and subsequent treatment plan
- Images of your injury and the accident site
- Contact details of people who witnessed the accident (they could be invited later to give a supporting statement for your claim)
Here at Accident Claims, we’re empathetic to the fact that gathering evidence for horse riding accident claims can be distressing when you’re trying to focus on your recovery. Don’t worry, our solicitors can gather evidence on your behalf. Call us today to find out more.
No Win No Fee Horse Riding Accident Claims
No Win No Fee horse riding accident claims can be made with our specialist solicitors. If you decide to work with us, you will have immediate access to experienced and compassionate representation, which comes with a No Win No Fee promise. The reason why we provide this funding option is that we believe in accessible legal guidance and transparent costs. Specifically, we offer a Conditional Fee Agreement contract, which means:
- You won’t have to pay any solicitors’ fees if your claim fails
- You won’t have to pay any solicitors’ fees while your claim is in progress
- You won’t be caught off guard by any upfront solicitor’s fees
In the happy outcome that your horse riding accident claim is successful, you will pay something called a success fee. This fee is taken as a percentage of the compensation awarded, as per the Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013. Don’t worry, we will explain this clearly when discussing your claim.
Our Support Services
Moreover, as a client of ours, you will have access to a robust range of support services. Our No Win No Fee solicitors carefully curated these services as they believe in a holistic approach when it comes to the claims process. Your health and well-being are our first priority; consequently, we want your journey to be as stress-free as possible, from your first phone call with one of our advisors to being paid your compensation
Please take a moment to look at some of our support services below:
- Gather proof on your behalf, review the documentation, and put it all together into a cohesive body of evidence
- Expertly represent you in both negotiations and case-related correspondence
- Break down how everything works in the compensation claims process
- Arrange access to medical treatment that might not be available on the NHS
- Communicate with the defendant’s solicitors and keep you informed at all times
- Organise an independent medical assessment to assess the harm done
- Make sure that all instructions are followed to the letter and all deadlines are met punctually
We’d like to clarify that this is not an exhaustive list, and we’re excited to tell you more about what we have to offer when it comes to horse riding accident claims. Get in touch with our department of expert advisors today using the contact information below:
Contact Accident Claims’ Solicitors
- Phone us on 0800 073 8801
- Start a claim online
- Click on the chat button to speak with an advisor. We promise it’s a real human and not a bot!
Horse Riding Accident Claim FAQs
Below, we look at a few frequently asked questions (FAQs) about making a horse riding accident claim.
Will I Need To Go To Court For A Horse Riding Accident Claim?
It is unlikely you will need to go to court for a horse riding accident claim; in fact, the majority of cases are settled outside of court.
What Are The Time Limits To Claiming Compensation After A Horse Riding Injury?
The time limits to claiming compensation after a horse riding injury are 3 years from the date you suffered the injury to start a claim.
Can I Still Claim If My Horse Riding Accident Worsened A Pre Existing Injury?
Yes, you can still claim if your horse riding accident worsened a pre-existing injury, provided the accident was not your fault.
Can I Make A Claim If The Stables Were Not Insured?
Yes, you can make a claim if the stables were not insured because a lack of insurance doesn’t remove their legal responsibility to keep riders safe. If the accident happened because the stables or their staff were negligent, you may still be able to bring a claim directly against the business or individual owner.
If you have any questions that we have not answered above, please don’t hesitate to talk to one of our advisors who will be more than happy to provide you with fast and clear guidance.
Learn More
More accident claims guides by us:
- Read our guide on serious spine injury claims.
- Take a look at our guide on multiple injury claims.
- Have a read of our guide on farming and agricultural accident compensation claims.
Some external resources to broaden your research:
- Request CCTV footage of yourself from GOV.UK.
- Check your eligibility for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
- Read advice from Think! for horse riders.
Thank you for taking the time to read our guide on horse riding accident claims. We hope you have found it useful.
