Personal Injury Solicitor Dorset

A stable hand who was paralysed from the chest down after being kicked by a horse has launched a legal battle for compensation of more than £300,000.

John Ward, 60, of Western Road, Gorleston, suffered damage to his spinal cord when he was kicked by a racehorse according to a High Court writ.

The father of three has since been reliant on a care at home since leaving hospital after the incident in April last year.

“When I was undergoing rehabilitation at a hospital in Sheffield I saw kids as young as 14 paralysed from the neck down and it made me feel lucky I have had 60 good years of life" said Mr Ward.

Following the accident at Kimberley Home Farm, in Wymondham, Fakenham racecourse paid tribute to Mr Ward with a lifetime in racing award; a hurdles race was also named after him with his daughter Hayley Burrows presenting the trophy to winning jockey Tony McCoy.

Mr Ward, who had worked at several yards in the region, said: “The award was the idea of Racing Welfare because people who work behind the scenes don’t get the same recognition as a jockey if they are injured.” He is demanding damages from point to point trainer Nigel Bloom, and stables owners Michael and Jennifer Bloom.

The accident happened as he was taking the grey mare back to her stable, the writ says.

Mr Ward cannot remember being kicked, and his last memory of the accident is of Nelly pulling away from him and becoming boisterous.

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