Defective Horse Saddle Injury Attorney

A horse saddle provides the rider with support and security while they’re on a horse. When a saddle is properly made, it allows the rider to keep their balance while the horse is moving. Additionally, a saddle helps the rider maintain proper body alignment, which helps them control and steer the horse.

While a horse saddle can keep riders safe, it can also be a hazard when there is a defect with the saddle. Sadly, horse saddle defects are more common than most people realize. Cheap materials, lack of quality control, and design flaws are just some of the reasons that a saddle becomes defective. In many cases, riders are injured from a broken horse saddle, which can be caused by one of following:

• Insufficient hardware, like short screws that result in the saddle tree falling apart.
• Weak or improperly positioned girth straps that can cause the saddle to slip off.
• Lumpy or uneven saddle panels that compromise the rider’s body alignment.
• Poorly designed or insufficient stirrup bar, which can cause the rider to fall while mounting the horse.
• Broken saddle tree, or the underlying framework of the saddle that keeps the rider in place.

Additionally, saddles must be designed with the horse’s comfort in mind. Otherwise, the horse may react out of pain and accidentally throw off the rider. Twisted saddle trees and poor quality panel fillings are two of the common saddle defects that can cause discomfort to a horse.

Falling off a horse does not always result in serious injury, but there are many cases where riders suffer lifelong damage, including paralysis and traumatic brain injury. But even injuries like broken bones and fractures require medical treatment. Medical bills, time off from work, and the inability to perform basic tasks are just some of the losses you may have to deal with.

With help from an experienced broken horse saddle injury attorney, you may be able to recover your losses through a product liability lawsuit. To learn about the actions you can take, schedule a free consultation with the lawyers of Normandie.

Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements

Possible Injuries from a Defective Horse Saddle

A defective horse saddle can cause you to fall off, or be thrown off the horse, thereby putting you at risk of serious harm. Injuries from a broken horse saddle include, but are not limited to:

• Broken bones
• Rib fracture
• Broken tailbone
• Ankle / wrist sprain
• Skull fracture
• Dislocated / fractured shoulder
• Brain damage
• Neck injury
• Spinal cord damage
• Hip fracture
• Paralysis
• Coma
• Death

In some cases, victims will end up with more than one of these injuries. Others may feel okay initially, only to discover the severity of their condition days or weeks later. That’s why medical attention is so important if you’ve been hurt by falling off a horse. Afterwards, you will be left with medical bills, lost wages, and other damages as a result of your accident. Compensation to cover these costs may be available to you, so please speak with one of our attorneys as soon as possible.

What to do if You’ve been Injured by a Broken Saddle

While you may have the right to sue, a successful lawsuit will depend on the actions you take right after your accident. Please make sure to do the following if you’ve been injured by a defective horse saddle:

• First and foremost, seek medical attention.
• Document the extent of your injuries with photos or video.
• Take photos of the accident scene as well.
• Preserve the broken saddle in a safe place.
• Do not try to fix the saddle.
• Contact the manufacturer and report the accident.
• Do not agree to return the product or accept a refund.
• Do not agree to have the product inspected / repaired.
• Gather receipts, medical bills, witness statements and other evidence.
• Consult a knowledgeable product liability attorney.

These steps will help you initiate a claim for damages, but there is more work to be done to ensure a favorable outcome in your case. For more information on the lawsuit process, contact our law firm at your earliest convenience.

Can I Sue the Manufacturer for my Injuries?

Yes, you can sue the manufacturer if your accident was the direct result of a defect with the horse saddle. However, you may be able to sue other parties as well, since the distribution chain for a product involves multiple entities. Retailers, wholesalers, eCommerce platforms, and marketing companies may also be responsible for a defective product. All of these entities have a duty of care to make sure their products are safe for consumers. That duty is breached when a consumer is injured, and the accident is directly linked to a defect with the product. This allows the victim to demand compensation from the liable parties for their physical and emotional injuries.

Regardless of who is responsible, you will need to prove that the saddle was defective in one of the following ways:

• Mechanical / design flaws
• Unclear or insufficient labeling / instructions / warnings
• Problems during the manufacturing process

This will establish the grounds for an injury or wrongful death lawsuit, which will allow you to go after the responsible party. However, there are many other aspects to the injury claims process that you will need to know about. Our lawyers can advise you of your rights and legal options during a free case evaluation.

What can I Receive from a Broken Saddle Lawsuit?

There are various economic and non-economic damages you can recover from a defective saddle accident lawsuit. As an injury victim, you may be able to request compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Future medical costs
• Lost wages / lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Attorney’s fees
• Punitive damages

Family members and loved ones may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit if the victim passed away from a broken saddle injury. A wrongful death claim can include:

• Funeral / burial expenses
• Medical bills
• Loss of expected wages
• Loss of benefits (healthcare, inheritance, etc.)
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Legal fees

No matter the circumstances, legal actions involving defective products are complicated. You can expect the manufacturer to fight back against your injury claim, as their goal is to protect their reputation and profit margins. Our lawyers have decades of experience winning these cases and we will ensure that you are properly compensated for your losses.

How long do I have to File a Lawsuit?

In California, you only have two years from the date of your accident to file a defective horse saddle accident lawsuit. If you’re suing for wrongful death compensation, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of your loved one’s death. This may seem like a lot of time, but there are many steps that have to be taken before you can file a lawsuit.

To ensure that your claim is filed on time, you must speak with a lawyer right away. If you pass the 2-year mark, you will most likely forfeit the right to sue for monetary damages. Extension can be granted in special circumstances, but most accident victims will not qualify for an extension. To get started on an injury claim with an experienced attorney, contact our law firm without delay.

Speak to a Broken Horse Saddle Accident Attorney

When you’ve been injured by a defective product, it’s difficult to know how to proceed. Manufacturers have strategies to limit or deny liability in a customer’s accident. Sadly, many victims fall for these tactics because they are unaware of the state’s defective product laws. Retaining an attorney is the best way to recover your damages, but you may be worried about the cost of legal representation.

That will not be your responsibility at Normandie Law Firm, since we offer a Zero fee guarantee. You will not pay us anything upfront for our services, nor will you pay us a single dime throughout your case. Our fees are paid by the manufacturer, and that’s only when you receive your settlement. In the event we don’t win our case, you are not responsible for any of our legal fees.

If you’re ready to learn more about your rights after a defective horse saddle accident, give us a call and schedule a free case evaluation.