A HORSE IS A HORSE OF COURSE, BUT IN COURT?

As Green Bay personal injury lawyers, we at Liebmann & Van Straten Legal Group, LLC we strive to stay on the forefront of what is new and sometimes strange in the world of personal injury law. Our personal injury clients in Green Bay are important, and anything that might affect their case needs to be evaluated promptly. Sometimes, the personal injury law development may seem bizarre.

The Washington Post ran a story last month regarding a horse named Shadow who is a plaintiff in what amounts to a personal injury case in Oregon. Shadow is suing his previous owner for negligence, and is seeking compensation for veterinary bills and pain and suffering. In effect, Shadow is filing the same suit that we, as personal injury lawyers, would file for our clients in Green Bay or the surrounding area. The reason the case is so interesting, is that it has not been established that a non-human, a horse in this case, has standing to file a lawsuit. In our mind, this creates a host of problems. Even if we ignore the ramifications of allowing a horse to move forward with a case at all, how does the plaintiff introduce its case? Clearly there is documentation of the injuries, but a horse can’t take the stand to testify. On the other side of the coin, the defense can’t take a deposition of a horse. Experts would need to testify about how much pain a horse endured. None of these things are impossible by themselves, but there are a LOT of complications when the plaintiff has never been able to speak, and science surrounding animal behavior is far from settled.

At this time, Liebmann & Van Straten Legal Group, LLC is not accepting animals as clients in personal injury cases. However, as Green Bay personal injury lawyers, we feel that keeping abreast of these developments assists us in helping our clients go through a very difficult time. For knowledgeable, caring and compassionate Green Bay personal injury lawyers, contact us today!

Should you or a relative have any questions regarding personal injury law in Green Bay and its surrounding Wisconsin communities, please do not hesitate to contact the expert personal injury lawyers at Liebman & Van Straten Legal Group, LLC. We can be reached at (920) 784-2900. Liebmann & Van Straten Legal Group, LLC prides itself on its expertise in Green Bay Personal Injury Law. Do not hesitate to contact the trusted Green Bay Personal Injury lawyers at Liebmann & Van Straten Legal Group, LLC.