Claiming compensation for psychological injury arising from cattle or livestock incidents.
We look at the law relating to claiming compensation for psychological injuries caused by livestock incidents.
Our specialist team understands that despite the very real pain of a physical injury the victim’s suffering often extend far further than the injury itself, especially in the case of a sudden and alarming incident such as a livestock attack.
Incidents involving very large animals, such as cows, can cause significant levels of distress and anxiety and it is often the case that the victim of a physical attack will also suffer what can be termed psychological injuries. Although less visible than cuts or bruises, they can nevertheless have a huge impact on people’s lives. In many cases they suffer symptoms of fear, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, and these experiences can be particularly distressing, especially when the incident giving rise to it was life threatening.
Common psychological issues include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Specific phobias (e.g. fear of animals, open countryside, or farming environments)
- Depression or anxiety
- Sleep disturbances or panic attacks
- Difficulty returning to work or usual routines
These psychological injuries can be just as harmful as the physical ones. You might have avoidance symptoms, be having flashbacks, or you may simply feel weighed down and overwhelmed. This is especially true if you have lost your confidence or ability to undertake normal day-to-day activities.
If psychological injuries can be officially diagnosed and shown to be the result of someone else’s negligence, for example, a landowner, farmer, or animal handler who neglected to manage the livestock or give sufficient warning of danger, you could be eligible for compensation. Compensation doesnt turn the clock back but it can provide access to privately funded therapy which may be imperative to your recovery.
One of the most common concerns people have when thinking about making a personal injury claim is the cost of doing so, and whether they will have money to pay their solicitor, especially when they are dealing with the aftereffects of their injury. This is where a No Win, No Fee agreement can help.
Also referred to as a Conditional Fee Agreement, No Win, No Fee funding arrangement means:
- You do not pay any legal fees upfront.
- If your case is unsuccessful, you will not owe us anything for the work we have done.
- If you win, the majority of your legal costs are recovered from the other side. A capped success fee will then deducted from your compensation, which we will explain clearly in advance.
No Win, No Fee funding means that you can concentrate on recovering mentally, emotionally and physically, without the added worry of paying for your legal costs.
At Slee Blackwell Solicitors we will offer you No Win, No Fee agreements for qualifying personal injury cases and will explain all of the details upfront, before you commit to anything. There are no hidden costs, and you will know exactly what you are likely to expect.
