Zoos in the UK perform vital conservational and educational work to protect wild animals and their habitats, as well as inform visitors of how we can protect the natural world. They can also be great fun for children and the entire family. Generally, safety standards are extremely high but sometimes, things can go wrong and visitors can be injured, potentially seriously. With that in mind, our guide to zoo accident compensation claims explores the eligibility requirements for seeking compensation against a zoo following an accident on the premises.
You could potentially claim thousands of pounds in compensation if you are injured due to the zoo not taking the necessary steps to protect you or other visitors. We’ll also explore step by step how a claim is made, providing information on what actions you should take immediately following an accident to give your claim the best chance of success.
Speak to our advisors today for a free eligibility check, or answers to any questions you may have.
4.8 (466 reviews) Can I Claim If I Have An Accident In The Zoo?
Yes you could claim if you have an accident in the zoo, if it can be demonstrated that the zoo staff or management failed to keep you safe. In legal terms, any party in control of a publicly accessible space, like a zoo, is deemed an ‘occupier’ and must take steps that ensure the reasonable safety of their visitors as per the Occupier’s Liability Act 1957. These steps can include measures such as ensuring walkways are fit for purpose and that enclosures are properly secured to avoid animal attack.
In summary then, the eligibility criteria in public liability claims can be summarised as:
- You were owed a duty of care by the zoo as a visitor to their premises.
- This duty was breached when the zoo failed to take steps to ensure your reasonable safety.
- That failure resulted in an accident in which you were injured.
Can I Make A Claim If My Child Is Injured At The Zoo
Yes, you may be able to make a personal injury claim if your child is injured at a zoo, provided the injury was caused by negligence. Zoos are public attractions and have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to keep visitors, especially children, safe.
Those under 18 cannot make claims for themselves so this would require you, or another suitable adult, to be appointed as their litigation friend. As a litigation friend, you’ll be directing the claim on behalf of someone else and must act in their best interests. Further guidance on child accident claims can be found on our website.
You can find out more about zoo accident compensation claims, whether you are looking to claim for yourself or on behalf of a child, by talking to our advisors today.
I Was Injured While Working As A Zoo Keeper – Can I Claim?
Yes, you may be able to make an accident at work claim if you were injured while working as a zoo keeper, provided the injury was caused by negligence. An accident at work can arise in various circumstances including a lack of training or supervision, poor maintenance and inadequate protective clothing.
Employer’s Liability
An employer’s liability is set out in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which requires all employers to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of their staff. This a legally binding duty of care and if not upholding this duty results in injuries, then accident at work claims could be made. If you have further questions, talk to our team via the contact information given below.
Fatal Accidents At A Zoo
Fatal accidents at a zoo can definitely occur, albeit quite rarely. In serious circumstances, a zoo visitor or employee may die from the accident itself, or due to the injuries sustained some time later. There are 2 laws that govern when and how fatal accident claims can be made:
- The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934 gives the estate of the deceased the exclusive right to claim on behalf of the deceased in the first 6 months. The estate can claim for both the pain and suffering, as well as any financial losses experienced by the deceased prior to their death. Claims can also be made on behalf of certain dependents.
- The Fatal Accidents Act 1976 gives qualifying dependents the right to claim for themselves if 6 months have elapsed since the fatality and no claim has been made for them already.
We’ve covered a lot of different avenues of claim here and are fully expecting you to have some questions. That’s why we keep our advice lines open 24 hours a day, so whenever it’s convenient for you, you can reach a member of our team. Our advisors can also provide a free and fast eligibility check, so why not give Legal Expert a call and find out if you could claim compensation with our personal injury solicitors today?
Zoo Accident Injury Compensation Amounts
Zoo accident injury compensation amounts vary greatly depending on the seriousness of the harm caused.
When determining how much compensation for your physical and psychological injuries you could receive, solicitors can refer to your medical documents, in conjunction with the brackets from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). We have used some of these brackets, the top entry aside, to create the table here.
Compensation Table
Please note that this table is intended to provide guidance only.
| Type of Injury | Severity | Guideline Payout Figure |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Very Serious Injuries + Special Damages including Lost Pay, Medical Bills and Care Expenses. | Very Serious | Up to £1,000,000 and above. |
| Injuries Resulting in Brain Damage | Very Severe (a) | £344,150 to £493,000 |
| Moderate (b)(ii) | £110,720 to £183,190 | |
| Back Injuries | Severe (a)(i) | £111,150 to £196,450 |
| Moderate (b)(i) | £33,880 to £47,320 | |
| Digestive System - Traumatic Injury | Severe Damage (a)(i) | £52,490 to £75,550 |
| Blunt-force Injury with Permanent Complications (b)(ii) | £20,490 to £33,880 | |
| Skeletal Injuries - Jaw Fractures | Very Serious Multiple Fractures (i) | £37,210 to £55,570 |
| Serious Fracture with Permanent Consequences (ii) | £21,920 to £37,210 | |
| Shoulder Injuries | Serious (b) | £15,580 to £23,430 |
Our advisors can offer more information on how personal injury claims are valued so get in touch with our team today.
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4.8 (466 reviews) What Can Be Claimed For After An Accident In A Zoo?
After an accident in a zoo, you can claim compensation for any physical harm caused, any psychological impacts as well as costs resulting from these injuries.
Your final settlement can be calculated under 2 separate heads of claim:
- Physical harm as well as any psychiatric injury will be compensated under general damages, some examples of which are given above.
- Special damages are paid out for financial losses resulting from your injuries.
Special Damages In Zoo Accident Claims
Special damages in zoo accident claims can be substantial, both due to the fact this head of claim compensates for both past and future losses, as well as the fact accidents in zoos can be quite serious.
What this means is that a special damages payout will almost always be higher than the equivalent general damages. Examples of such costs have been given here:
- A loss of earnings from time taken off work to recover from your injuries or care for the injured person.
- Loss of future earnings if you can no longer work, need to take reduced hours or are off work long term.
- Medical expenses like private healthcare, prescriptions, physiotherapy and other out of pocket costs.
- Transport to work, hospital appointments or therapy sessions if you cannot drive yourself.
- In home care and support with daily domestic tasks, cleaning yourself or maintaining outside space.
- Accessibility modifications. For example, ramps, rails and walk in showers.
Make sure you keep hold of any documentation (payslips, receipts, bills, invoices) as evidence of these costs.
We’d like to emphasise again that this information is intended as guidance only so for a more personalised idea of what your potential claim could be worth, talk to our advisors today via the contact information given below.
What Evidence Is Needed For Zoo Accident Compensation Claims?
You will need evidence like medical records, video footage and witness statements in zoo accident compensation claims. Steps such as reporting the accident and seeking medical help should also be taken.
We’ve set all this out for you in the following sections but if you have additional queries, please reach out to one of our friendly advisors.
Seek Appropriate Medical Attention
This is the most important step following any accident, even if any injuries seem minor. Your health, or that of your child or other injured person, is the most important thing. So, get any injuries seen to by a medical professional as soon as possible, calling an ambulance if necessary. While your health is the primary concern, getting medical help will generate records of your treatment that can be used as evidence.
Gather Evidence
Once your condition is stable and you or your loved one has received medical care, you can set out collecting supporting evidence. Examples of which can include:
- Medical records as mentioned above. Copies of scans, test results, examination notes and hospital discharge letters can all be used to show what injuries were sustained and how serious they were.
- CCTV footage from the zoo showing how the accident occurred can be acquired.
- It’s also a good idea to photograph your injuries, the immediate scene of the accident and what caused it.
- Anyone you were with, other visitors and zoo staff could all provide a witness statement if they saw what occurred. Pass on any relevant contact details to the solicitor so these individuals can provide a statement during the claim.
Record How The Accident Has Impacted You And Your Day To Day Life
Maintaining a diary during your treatment adds a more human layer to your evidence. Note down what treatments you had, the effects these had and how your injuries have impacted your daily activities.
Get The Advice Of A Solicitor
You can get free legal advice by contacting Legal Expert today. Our advisors can address your queries and offer a quick, no-obligation assessment of your eligibility to claim. If you do have a valid claim, you’ll be put through to an expert personal injury solicitor. By consulting with a legal professional, you can get advice on the claims process, and find out more about how a potential claim is valued.
Claim Within The Relevant Time Limit
It is very important that claims be made within the relevant time limits. Once the limitation period elapses, the claim is said to be “time-barred” and can no longer be pursued. To avoid this happening, seek legal advice as soon as possible and get the claims process underway.
What Is The Time Limit For Zoo Accident Compensation Claims?
Typically, the time limit for zoo accident compensation claims is 3 years from the date of the incident. This limitation period was established by the Limitation Act 1980. However, certain exceptions to this can apply so it is important to make sure your claim is brought within the correct limitation period. For more advice on the time limits, as well as free eligibility assessment, speak to our team today using the contact information provided below.
Claim With Our Zoo Accident Compensation Claims Solicitors
You can find out if you’re eligible to work with our zoo accident compensation claims solicitors by speaking to our advisory team today. Our team can answer your questions and tell you within a few minutes if you could make a public liability claim against a zoo. If eligible, you’ll be connected with an expert personal injury solicitor.
Our solicitors are some of the most experienced in the business, boasting years of winning big for their clients with a few individual careers spanning over 3 decades! After so many years of getting clients the compensation they deserve, Legal Expert understands each claim is as unique as the person making it, and therefore, the service we provide is built around your individual needs.
Here are just some of the ways our experts can support you:
- Ensuring you are referred to the relevant medical specialist for whatever care, treatment and rehabilitation you require.
- Assisting you with collecting supporting evidence.
- Helping you to understand what is happening with your claim and explaining all the complex legal language. Legal Expert have also prepared this helpful legal glossary.
- Negotiating a settlement on your behalf with the zoo’s solicitors.
- Finding the right barrister to present your claim in court if a trial is required.
Legal Expert’s solicitors offer their services on a strictly No Win No Fee basis under a contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This contract protects the claimant from being charged service fees both at the start of and during the claim, with no such fees if the claim is lost. A success fee will only be taken if the claim is won, charged at a maximum of 25%. This maximum is legally enshrined by The Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013 so the advantage is firmly with the claimant.
Contact Legal Expert
To contact a Legal Expert, simply use any of the details provided below. We fully appreciate there’s a lot of information here and you no doubt have questions. That’s why we have advisors on hand at all times to take your call.
Talk to our team today using the contact information given here:
- Call us on 0800 073 8804.
- You can also contact us online by completing a callback form.
- Open a live chat on your screen now.
Helpful Links And Resources
You can view some of our other public liability claims guides here:
- Find out everything you need to know about theme park accident claims here.
- See how compensation amounts are calculated in bar accident claims and what you could be entitled to.
- Read our guidance on swimming pool accident claims to see if you could be eligible to claim.
We have also included these external resources for additional information:
- Find out when to dial 999 with this NHS resource.
- Learn more about the work of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) on this webpage.
- Read the government guidance on education and ill health for parents of children who are off from school due to injury or illness.
Thank you for taking the time to read our guide to zoo accident compensation claims. To find out if you could claim personal injury compensation following an accident at the zoo, speak to our advisors today using the contact information given above.
