With the Melbourne Cup fast approaching, it is natural for people to scramble looking for the latest information on their horses to determine a winner. However, not many people look into the condition of the jockeys and how their own injuries may affect their performance in the upcoming races.
The most recent concern is Ryan Moore’s neck injury threatening his ability to perform as well as he did last year as the star of the Melbourne Cup riding Protectionis
Racing injuries may be fairly common though in the sport of horse racing. Sadly, there have been a number of serious accidents in the past few years that horse racing enthusiasts have witnessed in the Queensland State.
Last year, Rockhampton jockey Ms Carly-Mae Pye sadly passed away from severe head, neck and chest injuries while racing at the Rockhampton racecourse on 13 October 2014. The 26-year-old was riding her horse, Pye, when it broke its two front legs and fell on top of her during a jump-out trial race.
On June 2013, Group-One winning jockey Grant Cooksley suffered chest and internal injuries including a suspected punctured lung and broken ribs when he was tossed from his horse Stargrill Boy during an Eagle Farm Brisbane race.
Five-time winner of the Adelaide jockeys’ premiership, Jason Holder, suffered a head injury during another Eagle Farm Brisbane race when he was thrown to the ground after his horse Oscar fell in the Te Rapa Handicap. The accident occurred on 15 January 2009.
Head, Neck and Chest Injuries
Regardless of how an accident occurs, an injury to the head, neck or chest can cause significant health problems and its severity may even be catastrophic depending on the circumstances. While many horse racing enthusiasts may hear of these injuries occurring on the track, the sad reality is that these injuries may also be fairly common during regular activities such as driving on the road or engaging in regular work duties.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
A motor vehicle accident may result in severe injuries from whiplash effects, blunt force impact, lacerations or impalements from shrapnel and flying materials.
It is very important that both drivers and passengers wear their seatbelt while they are aboard a vehicle in order to mitigate the damage caused by a collision.
Failing to do so may result in contributory negligence if the medical evidence shows a causal connection between the injuries sustained and the failure to wear a seat belt. This means that your claim for compensation may be reduced or removed entirely depending on the circumstances.
Workplace Compensation & Workplace Accidents
An accident that arises during the course of employment may be a serious problem for workers and their families, especially if their ability to earn an income is severely affected.
One of the challenges that most workers face (especially in heavy labour industries such as construction, mining, factory, farming, etc.) is successfully arguing a continuing impairment with the WorkCover insurance company in order to keep their benefits.
An even more extreme problem for some workers arises when WorkCover dispute that the worker’s injuries fall within the relevant legislation. This issue must be treated very seriously because a shoddy attempt to bring the decision to a review may result in a rejection and the cost of an expensive and lengthy appeal.
DO NOT Take a Head, Neck, or Chest Injury for Granted
There are many circumstances where victims of an accident may be reluctant to pursue their legal rights further. If the extent of an injury is difficult to determine, or if there are circumstances to the accident that may be complicated, it is important to consult with a legal professional that you can trust.
In a motor vehicle accident, a victim may be reluctant to ‘sue’ the responsible party if that party is a family member or close friend.
In a workplace accident, a worker may not want to lodge a workers compensation claim because they may feel that they will be treated differently in the workplace, be laid off by the company, or experience other negative treatment because their injuries have been brought to light.
The problem with this mentality is that failing to exercise your legal rights may adversely affect your ability to recover from your injuries or provide support for yourself or your family. While maintaining a positive relationship with the at-fault party is certainly an important consideration, it should not be the sole determinant for choosing whether or not to pursue a claim.
An accredited specialist in personal injury can help you clarify the law so that you can be well informed on which course of action is best suited for your circumstances.
East Coast Injury Lawyers is led by accredited specialists in personal injury who can help you. All you need to do is contact us by filling out our case review form or calling us at 1300 720 544.
