Animal accident claims

At Royds Withy King, we are nationally renowned for our work in animal injury claims.

Many Royds Withy King clients make successful claims for compensation and it is often the case that there is no-one to blame. It is often critical to examine the behaviour of the animal rather than their owner.

What happens when you contact us

After we have received your enquiry, one of our legal experts will:

1. be in touch to determine the facts of your situation, and determine whether you have a claim
2. once we have done this, our team will advise you on the strength of your case
3. we’ll then explore the next steps and, if you agree, get your claim started.

If you need any further information on the process of making a personal injury claim, take a look at our guide on the process here.

When are you eligible to make an animal accident claim?

If you have been injured by an animal in the last three years, you may have a valid claim for compensation even if no-one was to blame.  If you are uncertain please get in touch for some free of charge initial advice.

Liability can be difficult to determine under the Animals Act, but we have extensive experience doing so. Find out more about how this works here.

How much compensation can you receive from a claim?

Your award will depend on the type of your injury, how severe it is and your individual circumstances. We may demand compensation for:

• loss of earnings, both past and future
• expenses caused by your injury
• pain, suffering and the effects on your everyday life.

If your injury is very severe, we may also claim damages for your past and future care and treatments, as well as special equipment and alterations to your home.

Who is the claim made against?

Many people find themselves in a situation where they are making a personal injury claim against their employer. Sometimes this puts them off either out of respect or fear of consequences.

In cases such as these your employer will have insurance, which is a legal requirement, to cover them when their employees are injured by an animal. Therefore your claim will be issued against your employer, but dealt with by their insurance company.

There are a number of other points that are also helpful to consider if this is the case:

• being told, or saying “you knew the risks” is not an adequate defence against a claim
• blame will not necessarily be attributed to your employer; it is understood that animals do things you don’t expect
• employment law prohibits dismissal for claiming compensation as a result of injury
• we will keep your claim confidential – it is not inevitable that your co-workers will find out about your claim

How long will a claim take?

The time it takes to settle a claim varies greatly. It generally depends on:

1. whether liability is disputed and
2. the complexity of your injuries.

We are experienced in obtaining interim payments to help while you’re recuperating. We can guide you on the likely timescale for concluding your claim when we hear about your accident.

What if you already have a solicitor?

If you are unhappy with your current legal representation, we may be able to help as we regularly take over the conduct of claims from other firms of solicitors. We would be happy to discuss this over the phone or via email. Also, if your claim was settled within the last six years and you feel you have been let down by your previous legal team, we would be happy to speak to you.

Find out more about changing personal injury solicitors here.

How can a case be funded?

There are a number of options available for paying for your solicitor’s costs.

We are happy to consider representing you on a Conditional Fee Agreement (“no win, no fee” basis). As the name implies you have the peace of mind that if you lose your case you should not have to pay any legal costs. This is something we can discuss in much more detail when you get in touch to talk about your accident.