Cows are often part of the rural landscape, and normally pose very little danger to the public. However, as with any animal, the unexpected can sometimes happen. If you’ve been involved in an accident involving a cow or herd of cows, then we can help to build a team around you and your claim to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Our team has a wealth of experience in claims for accidents involving cows, and have been successful in seeking compensation for injuries such as:
- traumatic brain injury
- complex orthopaedic injuries
Unfortunately, sometimes cow attacks can result in fatal injuries. In cases such as this we can help to make a claim for compensation on behalf of dependents. If a loved one is killed in an accident it will change the course of your life. Using our animal accident claims experts you’ll have the reassurance that your animal accident compensation claim will be handled sympathetically. We’ll also relieve you of the burden of dealing with the police or the complexities of the coroner’s court.
We also have experience of claims as a result of many different situations. For example, you may have found yourself:
- kicked whilst working with cows
- trampled by a herd of cows whilst walking
- injured by a single cow whilst walking.
Starting a claim for injury caused by cows
After we have received your enquiry, one of our legal experts will:
- be in touch to determine the facts of your situation, and determine whether you have a claim
- once we have done this, our team will advise you on the strength of your case
- 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.
How long do I have to make a claim?
Limitations on personal injury claims state that you should make a claim within three years of the date of injury, or three years of your knowledge of the injury.
How much compensation might I receive?
How much compensation you receive will depend on the nature and severity of your injury. For example, compensation will usually be calculated on the basis of:
- loss of past and future earnings
- expenses caused by the injury
- pain, suffering and the effects it has on your life.
If your injury is very serious, we may also claim damages for any care arrangements you might require, as well as any alterations to your home or special equipment you may need.
In the event of a fatal accident dependents will be entitled to claim compensation for losses resulting.
How can I make a claim when the injury occurred in a public place?
People understand that there are risks around being close to cows. It is a risk that society quite rightly accepts assuming that there should be insurance in place to cover any potential risks that materialise. It cannot be said that a person on a public footpath in a field of cows should be prevented from claiming compensation in the event of injury because they somehow accepted the risk of injury.
Claims are often made under the animals Act 1971, making owners (usually farmers) strictly liable for dangerous behaviour even though no-one was to blame.
Cows can often become spooked for no good reason. It is often said that dogs are a cause of a lot of cow accidents and this is true. However a large proportion of cow accidents involving ramblers and other walkers do not involve dogs at all. A herd of cows can act unexpectedly and dangerously.
How long will a claim take?
The length of time a claim takes will depend entirely on the nature and severity of your injuries.
Find out more about the length of a claim here.
How can I fund a claim when I’ve been injured by cows?
We offer many different options to fund a personal injury claim when you’ve been injured by cows, however the most common is a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). CFAs are more commonly known as “no win, no fee” funding which ensures that, in the event your claim is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay your opponent’s legal costs.
Typical animal accident cases
Our credentials
“What the team is known for:
Somerset-based practice that comes recommended for its focus on spinal cord and brain injuries. Also offers niche expertise in areas such as fatal accidents and animal cases. Demonstrates further skill in the area of asbestos-related diseases.
Strengths:
“I feel there is a strong culture within the firm that fosters excellence delivered in a friendly, approachable way,” reports a source.
Another interviewee states: “They are the best local firm for me to deal with as their whole focus is professional and efficient.”
Work highlights:
Represented a claimant who suffered serious brain injury, in a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority case worth £15.8 million.
Notable practitioners:
Stuart Brazington (Band 1) leads the brain injury team and possesses notable expertise in serious spinal cord injury claims. One source highlights: “He’s a brain injury specialist; it’s a tricky area and he’s very good at it. He knows a lot about medicine as well as litigation tactics.”
Senior associate Mark Hambleton (Associate to watch) offers particular strength in severe injury cases arising from accidents involving animals, sports and motorcycles.
Louise Hart is Recognised Practitioner.”
Chambers 2018 Somerset
“What the team is known for:
Outstanding personal injury practice adept at handling an impressive breadth of claims, including industrial disease cases, cycling accidents and equine matters. Notable expertise in chronic pain and fatal accidents as well as catastrophic injuries, with a focus on brain and spinal injuries.
Strengths:
Interviewees praise the lawyers’ involvement in each case: “They are very supportive of clients, you get the feeling that it’s not just business to them. They work well in teams, are responsive and quick to get back to you.”
Others agree, and attest the success of this ethos: “We were never made to feel like a case, we were treated with open communication as we if we were in a partnership. The attention to detail and professionalism of the lawyers led to great results.”
Notable practitioners:
The “tenacious and excellent” Ian Carrier (Band 1) focuses on catastrophic injury work, primarily spinal and brain injuries, as well as fatal accident claims. One client states: “He has strong communication skills, and excellent and far-reaching technical knowledge. We could not have asked for a better partners, it was just superb case management.”
Tracy Norris-Evans (Band 1) is highly reputable in claims of high complexity and severity including paediatric cases as well as those with complex neurological issues. One interviewee states: “She is very thorough and has an exceptionally good manner with clients. She is someone who inspires trust.”
Helen Childs (Band 2) is a specialist in industrial diseases and is especially noted for asbestos litigation. One client attests: “She is an expert in this field, which was paramount. She worked tirelessly and went to the moon and back for us. She was empathetic and genuine, nothing was too much trouble.“”
Chambers 2018 Oxford and Surrounds
“Royds Withy King’s personal injury team has ‘a wealth of experience and a very client-focussed approach’. It is ‘very strong on brain injury claims’ and provides an overall ‘excellent’ level of service. Particular areas of expertise include spinal injuries, chronic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, amputations, asbestos-related diseases, fatal accidents as well as claims arising from accidents involving animals, in particular horses. The ‘vastly experienced’ team is jointly led by Louise Hart and Stuart Brazington. The ‘tenacious’ and ‘knowledgeable’ Hart has ‘unrivalled’ experience in acting for clients who have sustained a personal injury with subsequent chronic pain’ while the ‘highly competent’ Brazington is ‘a very good strategist’. Senior associate Mark Hambleton, whose specialisms include sports-related injuries, is ‘client-focused’. The practice’s recent caseload includes representing a client who had suffered a severe hypoxic brain injury in a multi-million-pound claim before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) First Tier Tribunal, the High Court and the Court of Appeal.”
Legal 500 2017 South West
“The ‘excellent and forward-thinking firm’ Royds Withy King in Oxford, which ‘strikes the right balance through quality advice and great client care’, was created through a merger between law firm Royds and the Bath-based Withy King in September 2016. Team lead Tracy Norris-Evans specialises in brain injury and paediatric claims and also acts as a professional deputy, while the ‘experienced practitioner’ Ian Carrier is known for his spinal injuries and fatal accidents work and has ‘impressive attention to detail and case preparation skills’. Other notable individuals are Richard Brooks, who regularly handles animal-related claims and ‘knows equine matters inside out’, and industrial diseases expert Helen Childs. As a result of the merger, James Millar Craig, who gained experience in permanent health insurance cases, was added to the team. The ‘highly organised, knowledgeable and approachable’ associates Jennifer Seavor and Rachel James joined from Boyes Turner and Irwin Mitchell, respectively. Especially recommended in ‘asbestos-related claims’, Seavor represented a client who had developed mesothelioma through his occupation at a railway company from the late sixties to the early seventies; he wanted the claim to settle during his lifetime and accepted an offer of £230,000.”
Legal 500 2017 South East
