Horse-riding is increasingly popular with adults and children, both as a sport and as a pastime – but it is not without risk, and equestrian accidents of varying severity are relatively common, even for the most experienced of riders.
A few of these accidents, however, occur because of the actions or neglect of a third party – and in these circumstances, the services of our experienced and professional personal injury lawyers can be invaluable in achieving financial compensation for injury, loss and damage.
Our skilled and sympathetic accident claims lawyers will help and support you throughout the claims process, on your side every step of the way with informed and dependable advice.
We have a wealth of experience in achieving the best-possible outcome and the highest-possible compensation and, if your injury has incapacitated you and prevented you from being able to work, we will negotiate for an interim payment to tide you over until the award of your final settlement.
How can we help with your equestrian accident compensation claim?
Our team can act for clients following a wide variety of equestrian accidents including incidents on the road involving vehicles, injuries caused by defective tack or equipment, a lack of instruction, leadership or planning of a hack, and the dangerous consequences of poor supervision by a responsible person – providing inexperienced rider with an inappropriate horse, or allowing a girth to be insufficiently tightened leading to saddle-slip, for example.
Occasionally, equestrian accidents cause severe, life-changing injury such as spinal fracture or paralysis and, although most horse owners and riders always wear an approved safety helmet, the protection riding hats offer is unfortunately not always adequate to prevent serious head injury, skull fracture, or brain damage resulting in disability and loss of earnings.
Why choose us for your equestrian injury claim?
Our specialist personal injury lawyers are widely-recognised as among the UK’s best. Based in Chichester, West Sussex, and with offices in London and Guildford, we are well-placed to act for equestrian accident victims anywhere in the UK.
When appropriate, our independent, healthcare-trained case managers will assess and review your treatment, therapy and rehabilitation needs and liaise with the lawyers negotiating your case to ensure sufficient funds to pay for the best-possible care package are available promptly.
And, as a valued client of our full-service law firm, you will have access to all the relevant legal and financial expertise you need to help you face the future with confidence, including investment and tax planning advice to help you make the most of your compensation funds and our specialist trusts team, who can advise you on setting up a personal injury trust.
Getting started
Whatever the nature or severity of your injuries, if you have been injured in an equestrian accident that was not your fault, or you would like to learn more about how our highly-respected personal injury team can help, contact us by clicking on the link or writing to us in confidence at info@georgeide.co.uk. You can also call our Chichester offices on 01243 786668 or contact our specialists directly.
George Ide LLP. We’re on your side
Client Testimonials
I have worked with Paul for several years now on various challenging cases. Paul has a very honest and open approach with the people he represents, his communication skills and ability to share complex information at a level of understanding for his clients is second to none. Paul has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by somebody who has acquired a brain injury and it is this understanding that ensures clients anxiety levels and concerns are kept at the lowest level possible at all times. Paul is realistic with his expectations and has had a high level of success with regard to achieving the right level of settlement to ensure his clients get the support they need for the rest of their lives.
Karl Thompson. Managing Director, Thompson Holistic Care Services (THCS)Following a traumatic motorcycle accident, I found myself in unfamiliar territory and in the need of a personal injury lawyer. From my first phone call to George Ides, I was in no doubt that they would be best team to handle my case, guiding me not only through the legal but also the rehabilitation process, I was always in good hands. Paul is a consummate professional, incredibly thoughtful and compassionate, but at the same time ensuring that I had the best advice and in a timely manner, a heart felt thank you, Paul.
Kate ButtrissWe are so grateful for all your hard work, and the passion with which you fought for him…it has given him a sense of self-worth that someone in your professional position can see what kind of man he is and what he should be awarded. Thank you so much, you have restored our faith in humanity, and we would have no reservations about recommending you to anyone in the future!
See ReviewI suffered a complex ankle injury in a road traffic accident in 2015, Paul Fretwell and the team at George Ide stepped in to manage my claim and helped me through a very challenging period in my life. The team’s experience with this type of injury, their considered approach and meticulous attention to detail enabled them to flag up any potential issues early on, and ensured there were no surprises along the way. Paul was able to see beyond the conventional claim headings, and took the time to understand the full impact of the injury, on my life and hobbies, and was keen to ensure they were all suitably reflected within the claim. Three years on, we went into a Joint Settlement Meeting with a robust and well prepared case, allowing us to secure a claim that significantly exceeded our expectations. I would not have a moment’s hesitation in recommending him to anyone in a similar situation.
RSI would like to say a huge thank you to Paul (with the fantastic assistance of Karen and Lizzy especially) for the support and kindness throughout my claim as well as the superb outcome that he obtained for me.
I am in no doubt that I would never have achieved the result without the dedication, experience and can do attitude of Paul and the team. Their caring attitude, sensitivity and professionalism shined throughout the entire process. Despite the other side initially denying liability, Paul fought tirelessly on my behalf, to ensure they provided what they should do, thus allowing me to get back to as near a normal life as quickly and safely as possible. Right from the first point of contact (and I first met Paul from my hospital bed), the service was outstanding and second to none, the communication was excellent, and I was never in doubt as to what was happening, and why. I truly believe my subsequent recovery is down to the fact that I was guided so well by Paul and his team, and him obtaining the opinions of the experts he did.
The support was amazing, as was the end result, which has ensured I am able to continue to press on with my every day life without worry of what lies ahead, despite the disability I now have. I really cannot recommend Paul and is team enough, I would suggest to anyone that is in need of a personal injury solicitor to give Paul a call, it really would make all the difference.
Rusty Brown.I contacted George Ide LLP by recommendation when my husband was involved in a severe accident as a pedestrian almost 4 years ago. In the very early days Paul Fretwell visited us at home and was an immense support through what turned out to be a very difficult case. Paul immediately knew my husband’s injuries were life-changing and throughout he dealt with it in the most holistic way possible, including instructing the best counsel and experts, to ensure the most positive outcome for us.
Paul takes a practical and pragmatic, but supportive approach. For the duration of our claim he was unfailingly responsive, always communicating legal detail clearly and concisely, which was important given my husband’s cognitive restrictions and fatigue issues. We would absolutely recommend Paul and George Ide LLP to anyone dealing with the legal aftermath of a severe accident.
We thought that we needed to write to you to express our deepest thanks for the way that you personally and all of the staff involved with you carried out the whole case from beginning to end.
The background people are often overlooked but we feel that we had the best team playing for us on all levels.
Paul Fretwell has been our solicitor now for 8.5 years and has been dealing with the case for AB (our son) who sustained a head injury in 2012 due to a car accident.
Over the years we have come to rely on Paul’s expert opinion and knowledge of brain injuries to help us understand A’s behaviours and needs.
Paul has been a massive support to us and our whole family since A sustained life changing injuries, as you can imagine, it has been an uphill battle for us and we had no idea or understanding of the challenges to come or how to even start to put in place all the support A needed and still needs today.
A now has his Support Worker, D that Paul put in place, which to be honest, has been a godsend to the family and A. A has a great relationship with D, and we will be eternally grateful. D helps A with day to day challenges that most people take for granted and A now feels D is a friend as well as his mentor and “life coach”. A also has an OT that visits his home to check he is doing ok and guide him in day to day tasks etc.
Paul has always been a phone call away at any time, he is very patient and understanding, his friendly approach to the whole family means we feel we can be very open and frank with him. Although all the legal “jargon” is very hard for us to understand, Paul is and has always been massive support, he explains in detail every word and meaning and why certain steps need to be taken to help A’s case.
We will always be eternally grateful to Paul and George Ide Solicitors.
See ReviewHow can I just say thank you, if I say it a hundred times it wouldn’t be enough. What you have achieved is unbelievable, I never imagined the compensation would amount to anything like that, if you recall, I once asked you if I might get another £27.000 making a grand total of £100.000, than I truly thought I could possibly get between £150.000 and £200.000 and I’d have been happy, so you can imagine how shocked and thrilled I was when the figure was doubled.
When I left your offices I was almost in tears, it didn’t feel right saying goodbye, I felt like I was saying goodbye to a friend, which I feel you’ve been. I don’t know how I’d have got through the last couple of years without your input, I didn’t even know I was entitled to compensation until you told me, which also means no rehab either. I can’t begin to imagine the mess I’d be in now.
I will be eternally grateful Paul for all you have done.
Best wishes
SueFrom the moment I contacted you the service has been amazing. You responded to my first enquiry over a bank holiday weekend and followed it up in detail on the Tuesday. That personal touch emphasised that the service was above and beyond, and has continued to be so ever since. That call literally saved my life in more ways than I can mention.
Rusty BrownI have worked with George Ide LLP for many years, initially as a support worker but now as a Registered Manager. I have found their brain injury
team, more specifically Paul Fretwell, to be highly efficient, supportive and effective when working alongside me with a very challenging group of clients. Paul and the team at George Ide LLP have secured settlements ranging from £1-6 million and beyond, ensuring financial security and peace of mind for life for the clients and their families.
I have worked closely over many years with Ursula Watt and Stephen Shine in George Ide LLP’s Court of Protection team. I am always impressed by how adaptable and attentive they are in looking after their brain-injured clients who often display challenging behaviour. They are able to communicate in a way our clients understand and work in a very person centered way. They are firm but fair and always have the clients’ best interests at heart. Karl Thompson. Managing Director, THCS Ltd
See Review“In an age of ever larger firms of solicitors, George Ide LLP stands out as a beacon of truly personal service against the backdrop of warm and welcoming staff. Not only does Paul Fretwell possess real expertise in high value personal injury claims, he brings charm and real commitment to everything he does. No Claimant could be other than impressed by his willingness to go that extra yard in their cause. The legal industry would be a better place if there were more like both the firm and Paul Fretwell.”
Will Waldron QCContact Our Friendly Legal Experts Today
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