Injury lawyer issues warning to farmers
The secretary of the Association of Personal
Injury Lawyers (APIL) has warned farmers to protect themselves from
compensation claims related to escaped livestock.
Stephen Lawson, from APIL, is also a farmer and so has experienced first-hand the risks involved in keeping livestock, which can escape on to public property and end up costing considerable sums in compensation payments.
Mr. Lawson points out that the relevant legislation, The Animals Act 1971, isn't clear cut and can often be left to the discretion of the legal system.
“If an accident occurs as a result of some negligence on the part of the animal keeper, most people would accept that an innocent victim would have the right to make a legal claim. However, even without negligence the farmer could still be found to blame effectively... meaning the owner is liable for... damage, regardless of any actions they may have taken to limit the risk of it occurring,” he said.
Mr Lawson highlighted the necessity for farmers to have adequate public liability insurance, especially with larger livestock.
“Litigation is becoming ever more present in rural life and farmers need to be aware of the risks they might be putting themselves and others under. In particular, an accident involving a horse or cow escaping on to a public highway and colliding with a car can be exceptionally serious,” he added.
Updated on 12/12/2008