Being a Devon-based firm of solicitors specialising in accident claims, you might expect us to have a particular expertise in the field of accidents involving animals.

This has long been a neglected area of the law, with court decisions frequently going against the accident victim. However, in recent years the Judges have shown more sympathy towards people who have suffered injury caused by an animal. The Courts have decided that the owner or keeper of an animal will be held to blame not only if they have failed to take proper care or responsibility for the animal, but also if they are in breach of a piece of law called the Animals Act. In some cases the Courts have relied on a specific interpretation of the Animals Act that there is no excuse or defence for an animal's behaviour. This means that whatever the circumstances, the owner is responsible. As a result more and more personal injury claims are now succeeding.

Whilst the changes in the law may be in the victim's favour, it means that insurance companies are now doing all they can to defeat Animals Act claims. As a result animal injuries remain a complicated area of law and these types of accident claims are by no means straightforward.

Most of the claims we handle involve dogs, horses, ponies and farm animals such as cows. The characteristics and traits of each breed of animal need to be carefully considered, alongside the circumstances of the accident itself.

If you suffer an animal related injury it's vitally important that the solicitor dealing with your claim is familiar with this specialist area of law. Fortunately, the personal injury team Slee Blackwell Solicitors have a lot of experience in dealing with animal injury claims and in a recent 12-month period alone we have successfully recovered compensation for a number of clients including:

• a vet, charged and trampled by a cow;
• a couple whose car was hit by an out of control horse;
• a delivery driver, bitten and dragged from the cab of his lorry by an Irish Wolfhound dog;
• a toddler, kicked in the head by a pony at a petting zoo;
• an elderly lady, knocked to the ground by a dog off its lead.

Our specialist Animals Unit is headed by former Devon and Exeter Law Society Young Solicitor of the Year, James McNally. James is primarily based at our Exeter office but he handles animal claims throughout Devon and the South West and can be seen at any of our offices in North Devon (Bideford, Barnstaple, South Molton and Braunton.)

For a free assessment of your animal claim contact us now.