SARATOGA SPRINGS HORSEBACK RIDING INJURY LAWYERS

Horseback riding injuries are surprisingly common. Anyone who rides a horse could end up injured when they are thrown off the animal and come crashing to the ground. Call D’Orazio Peterson PC for help with an injury claim. The horse’s owner or trainer might deny liability and refuse to take your phone call. They certainly do not want to offer fair compensation for your medical bills and pain.

We may be able to help. A personal injury lawyer with our firm can identify who is to blame for the accident, including whether you can request compensation. We have won many cases that other firms refuse to even accept. Call us today to request a free consultation with a Saratoga Springs horseback riding accident lawyer.

Horseback Riding Injuries

These accidents lead to many of the most serious injuries, such as:

• Fractures, including a broken shoulder or wrist;
• Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions;
• Spinal column injuries, including spinal stenosis or spondylosis;
• Paralysis;
• Whiplash or other neck injuries;
• Bleeding in the brain, which could be fatal if left untreated
• Organ damage and internal bleeding.

You should head to the hospital soon after the accident. A doctor can properly diagnose the injury and begin providing treatment. You also should begin creating documentation to show the severity of your injuries.

Responsibility for a Horseback Riding Accident

Serious questions involve who or what is responsible for the accident. And while New York does recognize that a rider assumes normal risks inherent in a sport, this does not necessarilly preclude every claim.  After many tragedies, the horse owner blames the rider, especially if you are inexperienced. You don’t have to accept their blame. Under some circumstances even novice horseback riders are entitled to compensation when someone else is at fault for the accident.

We can investigate to determine if someone’s negligence contributed to your injuries, particularly where the owner had prior knowledge of a horses aggressive or vicious propensities:

• A horse trainer who negligently trains the animal so that it is dangerous to ride.
• A horse trainer who fails to provide protective equipment to riders who are injured as a result.
• A horse trainer fails to properly train a rider to handle an animal, leading to a preventable accident.
• Defective equipment, like a defective saddle, which causes a rider to fall from the horse.

The property owner fails to fix a hazard they know about or fails to warn riders of hazards which can’t be immediately fixed.

Depending on the accident, you might end up suing:

• The horse trainer
• The horse owner
• The owner of the land
• A manufacturer of a defective product

Our clients often have no idea what happened. One second they were upright, and the next they were on the ground in considerable pain. We can review the facts and perform an additional investigation, where needed.

Winning Compensation for a Horseback Riding Accident

D’Orazio Peterson PC acts as advocates for those hurt in horseback riding accidents. Our legal team carefully picks through all the evidence to determine the sequence of events leading up to your accident. We can then pinpoint the person or business who is at fault.

Suppose a defective saddle is to blame. We can inspect the saddle and work with a product expert to find the defect. New York law also allows victims to seek financial compensation from the manufacturer and others for a dangerous product put on the market.

If the horse’s trainer or owner is at fault or knew about aggressive or vicious propensities of the animal, we can also attempt to negotiate with them for compensation:

• Medical bills to treat your injuries
• Lost income or wages if you cannot work following the accident
• Any damaged property
• Mental anguish or distress
• Pain and suffering

A small child could suffer extreme mental distress after an accident. They might never want to get on a horse again. We believe in fighting for the maximum compensation for our clients.

New York Laws & Horseback Riding Accidents

One important law is the statute of limitations. This law identifies the maximum time frame for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Under New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 214, you generally get three years against private entities (less time against public entities). Should you go over the deadline, even by accident, you lose the legal ability to file a lawsuit. That is a devastating result.

The comparative negligence statute, NY CPLR § 1411, may also come into play.   If you contributed to your horseback riding accident, then your damages are reduced in proportion to your share of culpability for the accident. Someone who is 65% to blame will get only 35% of their damages (at most).

Call to Speak with a Lawyer at Our Firm

D’Orazio Peterson PC has established a reputation for vigorous advocacy on behalf of injured victims. We believe that you deserve compensation for a horseback riding injury which is the fault of someone else. Holding a dangerous trainer or property owner accountable helps protect the public. Give us a call to schedule your free consultation.

D’Orazio Peterson PC

193 Lake Avenue
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

518-308-8339

518-633-5106 (fax)