Simply Outrageous - horse owners beware!

If it goes to court I hope the judge throws it out and gives the clown her solicitor a right royal talking to for wasting the courts time and money. The world has gone mad. Hope all turns out well for you.
 
Sadly because of ridiculous claims like this which are given creedence when any person with common sense would send the person packing.It sounds like the lawyer is mking his case around the likes of building sites and building works where the builder has to make the site secure to prevent absolute idiots from breaking in to steal stuff in the event they hurt themselves while doing so, absolute bleeding madness!!! someone always ends up paying, and id guarentee the op's insurance will go up on the back of it, the only people who win are the lawyers and insurance companies. Id be sorely tempted to counter her claim with another claiming for upset and distress to you and your horses, inability to sleep for worrying about people meddling with your horses and the damage that can be done by poor riding and handling, it sounds just about as ridiculous as the first claim, but id give them a few sleepless nights as well
 
People seem to forget how stressful this sort of thing can be. My car was once hit by a cyclist tearing down a hill when I was turning right and signalling. Luckily she was OK (thank God she had a helmet on) but her bike and my car were damaged. I had to report it to the police and my insurers of course, and although the insurers were handling it all and I had an independent witness saying it wasn't my fault I got a very abrasive letter from the cyclist's parents saying they were counter-claiming for personal injuries and damage to equipment. It was all incredibly stressful. Eventually I got my excess back, which means the insurers must have received full payment from the cyclist, but I spent several months worried sick that I'd have to appear in court too defend myself.
 
I'm guessing the solicitor has taken it on because of the case against a construction company a few years ago.
Despite secure fencing & signs warning of danger a boy got into a building site. He got badly injured. He successfully sued the company & the basis of the claim was that the construction company should've ensured no members of the public could get into the site (I believe he crawled through a gap between the bottom of the fence & the ground)

There has been a flurry of cases along the same lines some successful, some not. Everything crossed for you.
 
Ahhhhh just discussed this with OH. The basis on the successful claim against the construction site was that they knew there was danger hence the signs so should've ensured there was no way anyone could've got in.

In your case it wasn't that she got into the field & your horse kicked her. She made the conscious decision to try & ride the horse.
 
How old is the teenager? If memory serves me correct "children" cannot be "done" for tresspassing if there was something that attracted them to the area, in this case a horse, on a building site, well they look like an adventure playground.

If yo google it should come up with exact details.
 
luckyoldme said:
write a letter back to the solicitor explaining how your dog chewed the letter up and you can only read the letterhead, make the silly bitch pay for a few solicitors letters,,,erm and as the others say seek some advice in the meantime.
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This ^^^ make her send you a few more letters they cost in the region of £70 often more. Its people like this that keep my husband in a job. (solicitor)!!

I agree with speaking to your horse insurance company and if possible the BHS and see what both of them advise. Whatever has it come to when someone can claim for something like this. So if someone steals your car and crashes it and kills themselves or injures themselves does that mean they can claim on you!!!
 
You really need to delete this thread and any others you have created.

You must report it to your insurers if you think you will want them to deal with this for you.

If you do want your insurers to deal then you need to pass that letter straight to them. Don't acknowledge it, don't call the solicitors and don't discuss it on public forums.

I would also suggest you be very wary of getting any "advice" or opinions from anyone who does not actually deal with claims presented under the Animals Act. Already in this thread I have seen comments from people who clearly do not have the requisite knowledge to give you any advice and might lead you to incorrect conclusions.
 
You need a 'private' sign. We were told by the police to put one up after some teenage girls were seen letting one of our horses out of it's stable. Without one, they said we could be held liable if they were injured, even though the gates were locked. However, I can't see a case being won as she rode you horse without your permission and wasn't simply in the field with them.
 
Silent Knight said:
A few months ago I made a post about some teenage girls who climbed into my horse field, without permission, mounted one of the horses (no saddle and bridle) and fell off.

I said that I would update when there was more info. Well it has been that long because there was nothing to report until today.
The police were not interested as the horses had not sustained injury, although they were distressed. So they could not press any charges.

However, today I have received a solicitors letter from this girl who is apparently suing me for damages 'as my field was not secure'! The barbed wire fencing, post and rail and padlocked gates could not keep her out and therefore I am liable and should pay her compensation!

I am flabbergasted!
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Do not communicate, or reply to the letter. Seek legal advice.
 
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Do not reply to the solicitor's letter, let your insurer's deal with it, that's their job and what you pay your premiums for. They will instruct the correct people to deal with this and it is extremely unlikely any more will come of it. You were not negligent and insurers have no reason to pay up. IF they even hint that they are considering it, then and only then would I consider seeking additional legal assistance. I can't see insurers settling though, I've seen similar claims for injuries repudiated and they go no further.
 
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