Trusted Livestock Accident Injury Attorney in McKinney
Lucé Law, PC is an established McKinney personal injury and wrongful death law firm offering support for clients injured in livestock and cattle accidents. A recent 15-state summary of farm accidents shows that animals were a factor in about one of every eight injuries reported, and account for just under 100 deaths per year. Injuries identified with livestock include bites, kicks, or situations in which the victim gets pinned between the animal and a fixed object.
Top Farm Animal Accidents Attorneys in McKinney
Livestock such as cattle and horses are large, strong animals that have the potential to cause serious personal injury. They must not be allowed by their owners to escape onto roads where they can cause an accident, or attack or charge a member of the public. Farmworkers are also at risk of injury if their employer does not rely on adequate safety measures to provide a safe work environment.
Although most livestock is domesticated and therefore thought to be docile, there are circumstances in which animals can become frightened, territorial or aggressive. During calving season, as cows become more protective of their young, they can become more dangerous. Cattle and horses can become agitated if they feel threatened by dogs or unexpected loud noises. It is essential to take care when walking near livestock with dogs to ensure that the dogs do not alarm other animals or go too close to them. Discharging firearms or fireworks can spook large animals and cause them to become unpredictable and potentially dangerous, especially to smaller children who may not understand the situation.
Owners of livestock should ensure that their fields and enclosures are securely fenced and gated so their animals cannot escape. Owners should also consider removing cattle from fields fenced only with strands of barbed wire during calving season, pen up all new cattle and mothers divided from calves for a period, as well as display warning signs around any animals known to have an aggressive temperament. Warning signs should also be posted if livestock has been known to have escaped onto public roadways.
Common types of accident and injury caused by livestock include the following.
- Injuries at work
- Road traffic accidents
- Attacks by cattle
- Infections transmitted to humans
If you or any member of your family have been injured by livestock, call Joe Lucé and his team. Joe will set up a free-of-charge private consultation to help you consider your options and next steps.
What Is a Livestock Injury Lawyer?
People who have livestock on their property are under strict liability to ensure all of their animals are properly contained and penned up. Any passerby, whether they are just walking or driving in their vehicle, should not have to interact with said animals if the individual is not on the owner’s property. Should someone be injured by an unconfined animal, whether by direct injury such as a bite or an indirect injury that may include an automotive accident, the owner of the animal is completely liable for the damages done. This is where a livestock injury lawyer comes into play.
A livestock injury lawyer can handle any case involving a personal injury caused by livestock that was not properly contained by the owner. You would be surprised to learn exactly how many individuals are injured each year due to an animal escaping its enclosure from a local pasture.
How much can I claim for a dangerous livestock injury?
Many accidents involve livestock escaping from their enclosures every year. These accidents affect the farm the animal originated from and the workers who keep it running, and also the people residing in the nearby town or city. Common injuries due to livestock include bites, lacerations, kick injuries, brain damage and spinal injuries. These injuries often lead to lengthy bouts of suffering and rehabilitation, all of which cost result in significant medical bills.
This is where the claim comes in. Essentially, just keep all of your paperwork. To make a claim you must keep track of all your medical bills, rehabilitation costs, loss of work hours, and anything else concerning the injury. This amount can be covered by the claim, which is likely to be successful. An attorney can help you better understand how much you could potentially receive from your claim.
What is the first step to take after livestock accidents?
If you are the unfortunate victim of a livestock accident, there are a few steps you need to take immediately following the incident. The first steps include seeking out medical attention as soon as possible. Be sure to hang onto all of the paperwork involved with your medical treatment, including prescriptions, rehabilitation, and surgery costs. You should also account for the loss of work hours for your claim.
Your next step will be to seek help from legal representation. A livestock injury attorney can guide you on any confusing matters that may stem from the accident, allowing you to focus your attention on recovering from the incident and regaining your strength. You will need to file the incident with your insurance company, speak with the authorities in some cases, and prepare your paperwork and records. This can all be quite overwhelming for those who just had a serious accident.
How do you prove a livestock owner was negligent in a car accident case?
To prove a livestock owner was negligent in a car accident case, your attorney must demonstrate that they had a duty of care to prevent the animal from accessing the road, failed to maintain adequate fencing and other containment methods, and that this directly resulted in the car accident.
Contact a McKinney Personal Injury Attorney for Support
Let the team at Lucé Law, PC build a strong personal injury case for you. Joe Lucé represents clients all throughout Collin County. Our personal injury lawyers are available for a free legal consultation. Call (972) 632-1300 for help with accidents and injuries in North Texas.
