I was tending to the pigs on a farm when one of them bit me on the leg. However my employer says it was my own fault. Can I claim compensation for a farm animal bite?
If you seek to claim compensation for a farm animal bite, it must first be determined that your employer has been negligent regarding your health and safety. In this case, you may be able to claim compensation if you have not been appropriately trained in working with animals or – if the pig which caused your injury has a history of violent behaviour – you did not receive sufficient warning. In this scenario it will be determined that your employer did not take sufficient steps in order to prevent an accident happening and is therefore liable for your injuries.
However it is possible that you may have been partially responsible for your own injuries. This would be the case if you ignored the training you received on working with animals or if you failed to wear protection gear which was offered to you by your employer. It is also important to receive immediate medical attention after an accident. As such bites can easily become infected your injury can become worse as a result of your own carelessness towards your health and safety. It is still possible to claim compensation if you were partially responsible for your injuries – however the amount rewarded may be reduced as a result.
After receiving medical attention, you are advised to consult a personal injury lawyer in order to claim compensation for a farm animal bite. You will be advised to make a report in the “Accident Report Book” of your employer, as well as compiling testimony from witnesses to your accident. Once sufficient evidence has been gathered a letter of claim will be sent by your lawyer to your employer (or their insurers), informing them that a claim for compensation is to be made. Three weeks are given in order to acknowledge this letter, after which three months are provided to accept or deny responsibility for your accident. If accepted, negotiations will begin regarding your compensation amount. If denied, court action may be initiated – although an out-of-court agreement is still possible.
If you have strong grounds to claim compensation for a farm animal bite, you may be directly approached by the insurance company with an unsolicited offer of compensation. However there is a danger that this compensation offer is entirely inappropriate for the injuries you have sustained. If you receive any such offer you are advised not to accept immediately, and to consult a personal injury lawyer at the first available opportunity. As a lawyer can determine how much compensation you may be entitled to, they can negotiate a fair settlement for your injuries.