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
Contact our personal injury team
To find out more about our expert personal injury team and for further information about all aspects of our comprehensive personal injury service, contact one of our specialists directly using the contact details below.
Client Testimonials
I 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.
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.
George Ide looked after my claim from accident to the case conclusion, they took care of everything on route which concluded in a very substantial out of court settlement. The settlement enabled the family not to worry about future employment problems, and gives everyone piece of mind.
George Ide are a very professional company, and I would always recommend them to other people in the same situation.
M
How 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
“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.”
Thank you for looking after me and my case. Not just a solicitor, you were a supporter and friend from the off. I felt that you ‘got’ me and understood where I was coming from. The very unexpected payout takes a lot of worries away, thank you.
My daughter and I are extremely lucky to be alive after an awful road traffic accident on the M1 motorway 3 years ago. I had some severe injuries and fortunately I’ve recovered very well (although not without some life altering effects). My good fortune continued when I engaged George Ide solicitors to help with a personal injury claim a few weeks after I was released from hospital after almost 2 months.My dealings with the company have been outstanding in terms of professionalism, thoroughness and sensitivity. I feel that partner Paul Fretwell and his very capable team have worked extremely hard on my case. They achieved a successful and stress-free outcome for which I’m very grateful. I am most appreciative of the kindness and support shown to me throughout the time Paul and his colleagues advised, guided and helped me through what could have been a much more traumatic process without them. I would not hesitate in recommending George Ide solicitors to anyone who needs assistance with a personal injury claim. Paul Fretwell in particular is someone I have great confidence in and his diligence is exemplary. Many thanks once again Paul!
I just wanted to say a massive thank you for guiding and supporting my friends through to this conclusion over the last 3 years. The early days were incredibly tough for them as you know and your calm reassuring presence has been one of the main reasons they were able to cope, especially back then. You’ll have learnt that R is a very tough and determined character, but I know they’d have struggled without your help.
Living abroad and unable to help them as much as I would have liked, it’s been so reassuring to continually hear how confident they’ve been in your ability to resolve this for them, right from the word go. I know I was very happy in my own mind that they’d got the right person on their side, after I spoke to you on the phone.
So, thank you again for all the time and effort you’ve put into getting them this result… for always being available to speak to them, even when you were supposed to be on holiday, for steering them through the hardest times and the quagmire of the courts. You’ve made such a difference for them and seeing R getting on with life with such a positive attitude that I’m not sure I would have been able to replicate, had it happened to me; is extremely satisfying as well as inspirational.
I 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.
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.
I don’t have enough words to describe how helpful, professional and supportive you have been, at a very stressful time for me. I feel really lucky to have had you as my solicitor. Your service was superb; it just could not have been better.
Jasmine has told me that she has now settled and that she can move on with her life.
I would just like to write a brief note of genuine heartfelt thanks from all of us involved. Your company was recommended by a good family friend who works in the BH1 postcode area, at a time when most of us were either in shock or at a loss about how to proceed.
From our very first communication, and the day of your visit to Jasmine’s Mum’s house, you have been thoroughly professional whilst being incredibly caring. You personally, no doubt with the assistance of your team, have allowed Jasmine the opportunity to recover at her own speed, with the assistance of the full spectrum of the medical world, to a point where I honestly believe that she is in a better state mentally and confidence-wise than she was even before the accident.
I would have no hesitation in recommending your Company to anyone unfortunate enough to find themselves in a similar situation.
It is common for people who are expert in their field to state that “I was only doing my job” – well, in this case, I am very glad that it was you who handled Jasmine’s case.
With many Kind Regards
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