August 3rd, 2007
A couple have been ordered to pay substantial damages to a teenage stable hand who was injured when she was unseated and fell from one of their ponies.
Three judges at London’s Appeal Court ruled that even though the stable owners were not negligent, they were “strictly liable” and must pay damages to the stable hand.
At the time, the 17-year-old was a trainee at the couple’s yard in Cornwall. She suffered serious head injuries when their nine-year-old pony, reared, threw her off and fell on top of her.
The compensation claim will be met by the stable owners employers liability insurance company.
The Judge considered that stable hand competent enough to ride a sensible horse and the stable owners could not have forseen the accident. Nevertheless, he ruled that the owners were “strictly liable” to pay compensation under the terms of the 1971 Animals Act.
The couple challenged that ruling at London’s Appeal Court in June, but last week their case was dismissed. Unless terms are agreed beforehand, the amount of compensation will be assessed at another hearing.
Pinto Potts have specialist Solicitors who handle claims for horse and pony accidents and injuries, if you would like free, no obligation legal advice please get in touch.
