Injury

Knee injury following fall from horse in Massachusetts. Client injured when horse she is riding losses footing on buried tree stump and falls on her.

Challenge

Negligence claim that property/horse owner liable for fall and injury as he buried stump while clearing land for development, allowed plaintiff to ride in the area and did not give warning about the buried stumps. Defense asserts immunity under “Equine” statute for sponsors of horse riding activity and claims plaintiff rode horse in restricted area without owner’s permission.

Result

Settled at mediation one week before trial. Middlesex Superior Court, Lowell, MA. $60,000