What could be more fun for the family than a day out at the zoo? But the fun can stop suddenly if a person is injured. This guide looks at zoo accident claims for compensation after a personal injury to help you understand your options.
A zoo accident doesn’t just include being hurt by one of the animals. So in the following sections, we will examine who could make a zoo accident compensation claim and turn to examples of how a zoo accident could come about. Additionally, you can also make a personal injury claim on behalf of an injured child and we explain how to do that. In addition, we look at a compensation claim after a fatal accident in a zoo.
We explain the steps to take after a zoo accident, such as gathering evidence that supports the claim. Then we look at compensation – what it can cover and how amounts are calculated based on things like medical expenses and lost earnings as well as the injuries suffered in the incident.
The guide closes with information on how a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel can step in and help with eligible cases.
Please continue reading, or if you are keen to discuss your claim after an accident in a public place such as a zoo, please:
- Ring the team to learn more about the personal injury claims process on 020 8050 2736
- Submit our Contact us form online.
- Ask the discussion window a question about claims for injuries in a zoo.
Jump To A Section
- What Are Zoo Accident Claims?
- How Can A Zoo Injury Happen?
- Can I Make A Zoo Accident Claim On My Child’s Behalf?
- Can Fatal Zoo Accidents Lead To A Compensation Claim?
- What To Do After A Zoo Accident
- How Much Compensation For A Zoo Injury?
- What Are No Win No Fee Zoo Accident Claims?
- Learn More About Making A Personal Injury Claim
What Are Zoo Accident Claims?
Zoos are places open to the general public which means that a duty of care binds those who operate them. The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 states that they must take action to implement measures which prevent the public from being harmed whilst lawfully using their premises. Third parties in charge of a Zoo also need a licence as detailed in the Zoo Licensing Act 1981.
If you sustain an injury in a zoo, you could be eligible to make a personal injury claim against the zoo’s occupier. However, you need to show three points to have a valid personal injury claim for compensation:
- A duty of care was applicable at the time of the zoo accident.
- The duty was breached. For example, while entering the zoo’s train, the doors unexpectedly shut on your fingers.
- You suffered harm as a direct result. For example, you sustained severe finger injuries when the train door shut on them.
Next, we explore some other examples of where the zoo owners would face potential zoo accident claims.
How Can A Zoo Injury Happen?
With duty of care responsibilities in mind, the following accident examples would be grounds to start a compensation claim:
- The zoo owners failed to provide warning signs that some animals may bite. As a result, a visitor (possibly a child) suffers an amputated finger when petting an animal.
- An area was left with spillages and no ‘cleaning in progress’ signs on display. A visitor slipped on a wet floor and fractured their ankle because of this.
- The fencing of an animal enclosure was left in a state of disrepair and despite being aware of the hazard, the Zoo management failed to fix the problem. Because of this a visitor fell into the enclosure and suffered a serious head injury.
- The restaurant in the zoo served food from an area that had hot surfaces but there were no warning signs about this for the customers. Consequently, a diner leaned on this area and suffered a burn to their arm.
Can I Claim For Zoo Accidents As An Employee?
A duty of care is also owed to employees as stated in the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HASAWA). This legislation requires employers to take practicable and reasonable steps to ensure that staff are protected from risk of harm as they work. If health and safety obligations to staff are not met, they might be at risk of injury, for example:
- The zoo management knowingly supplies faulty tools and equipment to the staff. A faulty ladder collapses, causing an employee to be injured in a fall.
- Staff in the zoo are not provided with the correct and essential personal protective equipment for their job. This exposes them to infection from the animals or cuts to their hands.
- Staff training in correct manual handling techniques is not provided. A staff member suffers a slipped disc moving animal feed as a result.
You can chat with our advisors about your specific example if you want more guidance about zoo accident claims. Simply call the number at the top or ask the discussion window a question for an immediate response.
Can I Make A Zoo Accident Claim On My Child’s Behalf?
Minors cannot start a personal injury claim themselves, so a litigation friend can step in and assume all the court responsibilities for them. If you are appointed to act as your child’s litigation friend, you can start a personal injury claim for a zoo accident on their behalf. This role is typically performed by a parent, guardian or concerned party and is designated by the courts.
This is important as under the terms of the Limitation Act 1980 a time limit of three years can apply for personal injury claims to start. However, this period does not begin for a minor until they turn 18 if they claim themselves. By starting a zoo injury claim on your child’s behalf, which you can do at any point before they turn 18, they will not have to launch one themselves, sometimes years after the matter.
Speak to our team about acting as a litigation friend after your child suffered injuries at the zoo.
Can Fatal Zoo Accidents Lead To A Compensation Claim?
Regrettably, some accidents in public places can be fatal. Under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) 1934 (LRMPA), the deceased’s estate are able to claim for the deceased’s suffering and any financial losses they experienced prior to their death (called general and special damages). Additionally, the estate can also make a claim on behalf of the dependents for the impact of the death.
If the estate has not acted within the first 6 months after the bereavement, under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 (FAA), certain relatives may qualify to claim for the impact the death has had on them. Contact our team to see if you qualify to claim as a relative after the loss of a loved one in a fatal accident at a zoo.
What To Do After A Zoo Accident
Whatever the type and severity of the zoo accident, it is important to gather evidence of what happened. We’ve detailed examples below:
- CCTV footage of the zoo’s animal enclosure or area where the accident occurred.
- Photos of animal bites or other injuries.
- Contact details of those who saw what happened. Witness statements can be collected as part of the personal injury claims process at a later date.
- Photos of the accident scene. For example, if you suffered an animal bite due to a dilapidated enclosure.
- Duplicates of medical records that show the level of injury suffered from the zoo accident.
- A copy of a psychologist’s findings if psychological injury and emotional distress is part of the personal injury claim.
If you would like to discuss zoo accident claims, speak to one of our team members.
How Much Compensation For A Zoo Injury?
Two categories of loss can dictate how much compensation is owed. The first head of loss is called general damages and reflects the physical and emotional injuries themselves. The length of anticipated recovery and any long-term disabilities are also factors that determine this award.
Legal professionals calculate general damages by using medical reports and publications like the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). In this document, a list of guideline award brackets for various types of harm helps those responsible for calculating this part of personal injury claims. To illustrate, we’ve put together a small excerpt from the JCG based on zoo accident injuries:
Compensation Award Guidelines
| Injury Location | Severity | Award Guidelines | Definitions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple forms of severe injury and special damages | Severe | Up to £1 million plus | Cases of severe and multiple injuries along with awards under special damages for loss of income, medical bills and care costs. |
| Head | (a) Very Severe | £344,150 to £493,000 | Case examples in this bracket are those of brain damage causing complete loss of response to environment and need for absolute 24-hour care. |
| Hand | (d) Amputation of index and middle finger and/or ring finger. | £75,500 to £110,750 | Injuries that leave the hand of very little use and greatly weaken the grip (after a severe wild animal bite for instance). |
| Hand | (h) Moderate | £6,910 to £16,200 | Penetrating wounds, crush injuries and lacerations, the top end of this bracket being most applicable to cases where surgery has failed. |
| Back | (a) Severe (iii) | £47,320 to £85,100 | Fractured discs and disc lesions to vertebral bodies, as well as soft tissue damage that cause continuing pain, loss of agility and other chronic pain conditions. |
| Severe Leg Injuries | Serious | £47,840 to £66,920 | Comminuted and/or compound fractures that required a prolonged period of treatment and leave extensive scarring. |
| General Psychiatric Damage | (b) Moderately Severe | £23,270 to £66,920 | Examples where the prognosis is not deemed to be as permanently debilitating as more extreme cases of mental harm. |
| Ankle | Severe | £38,210 to £61,090 | Extensive period of treatment is required. It may include lengthy period in plaster or pins and plates. There will be significant residual disabilities, such as ankle instability and limited ability to walk. |
| Knee | (a) Severe (iii) | £31,960 to £53,030 | A less severe injury that nonetheless leaves a severe level of pain, discomfort and limited movement. |
| Neck | (b) Moderate (i) | £30,500 to £46,970 | Dislocations and fractures that cause initially severe symptoms and may require surgery. |
Our table also includes a top-line figure which does not originate from the JCG. Each personal injury claim compensation award varies according to individual circumstances so please read these amounts as guidance only.
Your zoo accident claim could also include an amount for the financial damage the injuries caused you. Special damages are the head of loss that reimburses this. To have special damages included, you need to put forward documented evidence of the loss, such as receipts, invoices, bank statements and any other documentation that you have.
Examples of special damages for zoo accident claims could include:
- Medical expenses caused by the zoo injury.
- Proof of earnings loss caused by time off work after the zoo attack or injury.
- Receipts or invoices showing the cost of domestic care as you recover.
- Tickets and proof of travel to essential hospital appointments.
- Changes to your home and/or vehicle needed to deal with permanent disability.
A solicitor on our panel could help you recover compensation for the physical, psychiatric and financial harm in a zoo accident claim. Call to learn more from our team.
What Are No Win No Fee Zoo Accident Claims?
The solicitors on our panel offer a wealth of expert services to people seeking personal injury compensation. With decades of experience under their belt, they know exactly how to calculate compensation accurately.
They know what evidence will strengthen a claim and will approach witnesses on your behalf to obtain supporting statements. They also ensure your claim meets deadlines and deal with all the court correspondence that may arise. Allowing you to concentrate on getting well.
By offering a variation of the No Win No Fee contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), eligible claimants can access excellent legal representation with the following benefits:
- No initial costs to instruct a solicitor to work on your claim.
- No solicitor’s fees for services going forward.
- No fees for completed services If the claim is unsuccessful.
- If your zoo accident claim wins, you pay your solicitor a success fee. This is a capped percentage taken from the awarded compensation with a legal limit.
- Because this amount is capped by law, you get the majority of the payout.
Why not find out if you or a loved one have eligible grounds to seek compensation for a zoo accident? Our advisors offer a free, on-the-spot case assessment and could direct eligible claimants to expert legal help today:
- Ring the team to learn more about zoo accident claims on 020 8050 2736
- Use the Contact us form.
- Ask the discussion window a question about personal injury solicitors and claims.
Learn More About Making A Personal Injury Claim
These other guides offer further information on public liability claims:
- This guide examines claims for a museum accident.
- We discuss whether your personal injury claim needs to go to court here.
- Also, you can read about claims against the council and how to seek compensation.
External help and resources:
- Information about running a zoo and keeping animals from GOV.UK
- When to call 999 advice from the NHS.
- Advice on tetanus shots after contact with animals.
We appreciate your interest in this guide about zoo accident claims. If the team can help answer any other questions about the personal injury claims process for seeking compensation with No Win No Fee solicitors, call for free, reach out online or through live chat.
