Making a cow injury claim.
You may have seen in the news recently various items warning about the dangers posed by cows to walkers and ramblers. Although we often think of them as docile, cows can be quick to turn aggressive, especially if they perceive a threat to their calves.
One expert estimates that there may be up to a thousand cow attacks on humans every year. Thankfully, most people survive their encounters unscathed. But sadly, this is not always the case and in a number of instances these incidents result in death. According to the UK Government’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE), more than 30 people were killed by cows between 2018 and 2022.
In September 2023 a lady was walking her dog in Wales on a public path. It crossed through a field which was home to a herd of 40 cows. Although details of the incident are sparse, it is known that she was trampled by the cows and killed. The HSE are currently investigating the circumstances of what occurred.
Although fatalities are relatively rare, cow attacks can leave victims with life-changing physical and psychological injuries. Farmers therefore have a legal responsibility to ensure that they take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of members of the public who could be at risk.
If farmers and landowners fail to take reasonable steps to protect the public then anyone who is injured as a consequence may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
Our resident cow injury specialist, Jasmine Moxey-Butler, has represented a number of victims of cow attacks. In one such case, her client was walking with her dog, two children and friends along a public path that crossed through a field. While gesturing for a group of cows to move, she was headbutted to the floor by one of the herd. She was only saved from even more serious injury because one of her friends managed to pull her into the safety of his vehicle. She nevertheless suffered facial scarring, a fracture to her chest and wrist, as well as a psychological injury. Jasmine secured an admission of legal liability from the farmer’s insurers and settled the case out of court, with her client receiving £45,000 in compensation. You can read more about the case here.
If you need expert guidance on making a cow injury claim on a no win, no fee basis, call our free legal helpline on 0333 888 0404 or send an email to us at [email protected]
