This is general information about how claims work in England & Wales, not advice about your own case. This website provides no legal service or contact route.
Establishing who was at fault
A claim usually depends on showing that someone else owed you a duty of care, fell short of it, and that this caused your injury. In a horse riding context that might be a riding school that provided an unsuitable horse, a driver who passed too closely, a yard that let a surface fall into disrepair, or a supplier of faulty equipment. Establishing fault is the heart of any claim.
The three-year time limit
In England and Wales you generally have three years from the date of the accident to start a claim, or three years from the date you first linked your injury to it. There are important exceptions: for a child, the three years does not begin until their eighteenth birthday, and different rules apply to people who lack mental capacity. Because evidence is easier to gather early, it is sensible not to leave things to the last minute.
Gathering the evidence
A claim is built on evidence. That typically includes medical records describing your injuries, your own account and any witness accounts, photographs, accident-book entries, and records of your financial losses. An independent medical opinion is often obtained to set out the injury and the likely recovery.
What a claim can cover
Compensation is usually considered in two parts:
- General damages — for the injury itself, and the pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment it causes.
- Special damages — for financial losses caused by the accident, such as lost earnings, treatment and rehabilitation costs, travel, care, and damaged equipment.
The amount always depends on the individual circumstances, so no figure is quoted here. Anyone who promises a guaranteed outcome or a specific amount before understanding your case should be treated with caution.
How it usually ends
Most claims are resolved by negotiation between the parties and their insurers, and are settled without a court hearing. A smaller number proceed to court where the parties cannot agree. Throughout, the choice of whether and how to proceed remains yours.
Getting advice
If you need advice about your circumstances, choose a suitably qualified legal adviser and confirm their identity, regulatory status, costs and terms. You can also revisit what to do after an accident if it has only just happened.