Horse Riding Lawsuits Pay Up To $7.8 Million Or More

Riding horses can be a very enjoyable pastime. But if negligence leads to an accident, things can get dangerous. 

Horseback riding is a classic American pastime. Of course, we tend to ride around in cars nowadays as a primary means of getting around. But not too long ago, riding horses or using them to pull wagons/carriages were major avenues of transportation. 

Still, there are some legal risks involved in horseback riding. And if you’ve fallen off of a horse, or been injured in any way while trying to ride a horse, you may be entitled to financial compensation. 

In One Case, $7.8 Million Was Awarded For Punitive Damages Against A Horse Track

In this specific case, the injured suffered broken ribs and a bleeding brain after being thrown, dragged, and repeatedly kicked by a horse who had gotten spooked by chickens. The owners of the track, who let the chickens roam free, knew that the chickens were dangerous when horses were exercising, but failed to do enough to prevent the incident. 

As a result, $7.8 million was awarded for punitive damages. 

Negligence Is An Important Factor

If you are riding someone else’s horse, or if you are riding on someone else’s property, or even if you are using someone else’s equipment, then there is a responsibility on their part to make sure that reasonable measures have been taken to ensure your safety. 

Lawsuits and claims against owners, trainers, or managers of horses fall under the realm of equine liability lawsuits. 

And if it can be proven that your injury was caused by negligence, then you may have a case on your hands, and may be able to file a lawsuit for damages, losses, pain, suffering, and lost wages. 

Horse accidents are not always clear-cut. In the wake of the accident, you may not fully understand who was at fault. The fault may have even come from various different sources. Sometimes, it’s difficult to tell who the responsible parties are, and how much responsibility each party held in the incident. 

Therefore, it is highly advisable that you consult an equine liability attorney in the wake of your riding accident. 

Here are some examples of people who may be held liable if you’ve suffered a horse-riding accident. 

The Property Owner

The property owner has a responsibility to make sure that the property they have given you permission to ride on is reasonably safe. If there are hazards that you were not made aware of that you didn’t sign a waiver for, then you may be eligible for compensation. 

The Owner Of The Horse

If the owner of a horse acts negligently in acting to protect a rider from harm, then they may be held liable for injuries. Trainers can also be held responsible if they took action (or failed to take action) that directly contributed to the rider’s injuries as a result. 

The Riding Club

Riding clubs have a responsibility to provide a reasonably safe environment for horseback riding. Sure, freak accidents happen. But if the club was negligent and failed to provide safe gear, riding areas, or training, then you may be entitled to compensation for your suffering, loss, and injuries. 

How To Start Your Case

Always talk to your attorney before signing anything for the insurance company. Insurance payouts are often smaller than you deserve and are entitled to, but you’re going to have a difficult time getting a full payout without the help of your attorney. 

After seeing to your medical needs, the next first step to take to make sure that you reach out and secure a lawyer for your case. If you fail to take this crucial step, you’ll likely be leaving valuable compensation that you deserve on the table.