feel so sorry for my friend

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swampdonkey

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last year we both moved to a new livery yard and our horses had to be stabled overnight, one of the other liveries, ( who is elderly, and very unstable on her feet, due to ongoing hip and knee problems) went to say hello to our horses when we had left to go home. Unfortunately my friends horse threw her head up and the lady lost her balance and fell over, resulting in a broken wrist.
My friend has just recieved a summons as this lady is taking her to court, the lady has tried all year to get compensation from my friends insurance but they have refused to pay as the lady did not have permission to handle or approach the horse.
The lady is on incapacity benefits and does not do her own horses as she is physically unable.
She has stated that there was no written warning on stable door or noone verbally told her to not approach horse.
Horse in question is a normal horse with no behavioural problems, simply lifted her head away to avoid being fussed with.
Do you think this lady has a case, and what is this world coming to when supposedly horsey people sue for such normal behaviour.
Would appreciate any thoughts or anyone who has had similar experience.
 
Oh what is the world coming to, sounds like this woman saw pound signs.....hopefully she will get a flea in her ear in court!!!
 
What a nightmare for your friend :(

I haven't had any experience of anything like that, but I'm surprised the lady's solicitor has allowed it to get this far unless she's entitled to legal aid.

I hope it's over quickly for your friend.
 
In the circumstances I would hand it over to a solicitor and the insurance company. Sounds like a "no win, no fee" outfit. If she is a member of the BHS there is a legal helpline which could offer advice.
 
OMG what the hell is the woman on if she has a horse she should know that they are unpredictable.
hope she gets her arse kicked right out of court, i can see how she has any kind of case.
Hope your friend is holding her head up high and ignoring the bint
 
Oh if it works like that then I'll sue the farmer where Bob is kept for scaring the dozy pony on a daily basis by using his tractor - I should get a few quid for that shouldn't I??? :p

Honestly, what ARE people thinking these days??? :mad: :mad: :mad:
 
Your poor friend. She probably felt bad enough that it was sort of her fault (obviously it isn't but we do all like to blame ourselves don't we?) but really? How silly. I am not a legal bod in anyway but it sounds like such a nonsense it can't possibly go anywhere can it?

I expect her insurance company know that and that's why they won't pay.
 
Thank you for your replies, she has been in contact with her insurance legal department since the incident happened and they assured her that it would go no further, but then this morning recieved a letter from a solicitor stating a court date and time this morning. She had to send it straight to her insurance company. Fingers crossed it won't get to court, but who knows in this 'sue everyone society'
It has come to light that this lady has sued the council before, and the hospital we believe. Obviously knows how to work the system.
I have to see this lady regularly, think it will be difficult to keep quiet, but obviously it has nothing to do with me.
 
If you add a sign saying dont go near horse etc it actually voids off your insurance. The women sounds money gapping to me plus if she is claiming benefits like that then you can claim she shouldnt be on a yard in the first place around horses.
 
i will keep people informed. Court date is for late August. Think friend is angry but also a little worried that she will be put on the stand, really don't think it would be that formal, surely it would be small claims court. Although the court is in Sheffield for some reason and we are about one and a half hours away from Sheffield????? It just shouldn't have come to this. Ridiculous in my opinion.
 
How sad to be honest sounds like she shouldnt even be allowed to step foot on this yard as she will be a liability and keep suing until she wins.As she is on benefits not only no win no fee she will get legal aid etc etc

Is the yard owner repsonsible in anyway for public liability on there yard?(not that I agree with this). Basically this is saying anyone that approaches any horse ie to stroke it could sue if it nudges them and causes injury etc.


I would not want her on the yard even if she is alivery and would ask her to leave etc.

Let us know the outcome but typical no win no fee. Our Local NHS casualty Lister Hospital Stevenage had a no win no fee sign up for Foreman laws solicitors/Bancroft Hitchin I spotted it when I fell off my horse.Coundnt believe it! Appalled how greedy they are too.
 
Sounds like this ' lady' is a professional at getting money out of people for nothing. Hopefully some wise and sensible person will see a pattern and throw the case out of court straight away.

I feel very Sorry for your friend and it now makes me think carefully about advertising to share my horse!
 
and i presume this lady pays her livery bill from all the tax payers money!! Sounds like she saw pound signs. sorry for your friend but i doubt she will get anything unless insurance company pay out to stop it going to court. got no win no fee written all over it and solicitors will be getting legal aid off her anyway
 
Hi, so glad you all seem to feel the same as we do. She comes onto the yard as she has an old pony there that her grandchildren used to ride, she pays for help with bringing it in and turning out and brings very small grandson to muck out (in a fashion).

Friend was hoping that insurance company wouldn't pay out to keep it out of court, not sure she would have a say tho would she, as its them that would be paying. Its E&L so its hard enough to get money out of them when you should, so maybe they won't.
 
Really I cannot see how it can the the fault of the horse owner. The horse was in a stable, therefore confined to a certain area. The lady actually had to approach the horse to get biffed, therefore she put herself of her own free will in the horse's space. So unless the horse picked the stable up and tip toed up behind the lady and knocked her over then she really doesn't have a leg to stand on.

*resists making poor taste remark about infirm lady not having leg to stand on*
 
No, I do not think this woman has a case at all considering the insurance company has already denied liability for it. If the woman is still pursuing a claim then it would need to be directed back through the insurance company (I assume this is horse insurance you friend has?). Let them sort it out, that is what the insurance is for, this is a public liability issue.
 
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