Robin Quinn a professional horseman who fell from a horse on Monday 21st November 2005 has been awarded a sum of €126,410.00 in damages by The High Court.
Mr Quinn suffered his injuries when a horse he was riding jumped a metal gate. The horse then fell on top of him and badly smashed his right arm. Mr Quinn claimed that his employer was responsible because she directed him to ride the horse by an obstacle which had previously spooked it in circumstances where she had to gain control over the horse. His employer, Ms Bradbury claimed that she depended on Mr Quinn as an experienced horseman to use his discretion appropriately. She further claimed that his failure to exercise proper control such as dismounting the horse meant that he was the author of his own misfortune or was guilty of a high degree of contributory negligence.
When deciding the issue of liability the Judge found that Mr Quinn was a careful horseman but one who was less experienced than his employer. The Judge held that his employer had a duty to take reasonable care for his safety pursuant to the Safety, Health and Welfare Work Act 2005. In deciding liability the judge also held that Mr Quinn contributed to the accident and reduced his award by 30%.
