General information about claims in England & Wales, not medical or legal advice about your own case. If a head injury is suspected, seek medical help without delay. This website provides no legal service or contact route.
Can you claim if you were wearing a riding hat?
Yes. A riding hat reduces risk but does not prevent every injury, and wearing one does not stop you claiming. What usually matters is whether someone else was at fault — a driver who passed too closely, a riding school that provided an unsuitable horse, or a yard that let a hazard develop. Wearing appropriate protection can also help answer any suggestion that you contributed to your own injury.
How is fault shown?
A claim generally depends on showing that another party owed you a duty of care, fell short of it, and that this caused your injury. On the road, drivers are expected to pass horses slowly and widely in line with the Highway Code. In a lesson, a riding school must take reasonable care over the horse and the tuition. Where a horse’s own behaviour caused the fall, the Animals Act 1971 may also be relevant.
How are head injury claims valued?
Compensation is usually considered in two parts. General damages cover the injury itself and its effect on your life; special damages cover financial losses caused by the accident. For a brain injury those losses can be substantial, and may include:
- lost earnings, now and into the future where the injury affects your work
- the cost of care, support and rehabilitation
- treatment, therapy and adaptations you need
- travel and other out-of-pocket costs
Every case turns on its own facts and medical evidence, so no figure is quoted here. Anyone promising a guaranteed amount before understanding your case should be treated with caution.
How long do I have to claim?
The general time limit in England & Wales is three years from the accident, or from when you first linked the injury to it (the Limitation Act 1980). Different rules apply to children and to people who lack mental capacity — which can be particularly relevant after a serious brain injury — so it is worth checking your own position early.
Getting advice
If you need advice about your circumstances, choose a suitably qualified legal adviser and check their identity, regulatory status, costs and terms. You may also want to read what to do after an accident.