http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/barrow/cattle_stamping_court_case_a_genuine_beef_or_milking_the_system_1_579318?referrerPath=homeSHIRLEY McKaskie was walking her dogs near her home when a herd of cattle, which had young calves, reacted violently in protection of their brood.
She suffered serious head injuries and was hospitalised for months following the incident in May 2003.
Last year Miss McKaskie, of Croft Barn, launched a £1m claim against farmer John Cameron, of Millrigg Farm, near Greystoke, Penrith.
She has now been awarded an interim pay-out of £250,000 – plus £100,000 costs – but this has been put on hold pending an appeal from the farmer.
Her legal team argued the 40-strong herd, a number of which had calves, had the potential to be unpredictable. But they were being grazed on land which had a public footpath crossing it, with no signs to warn of possible danger.
The court heard that she had veered away from the line of the footpath, but Judge Howarth ruled that the route was not clearly marked.
He stated in his ruling: “It is fairly argued on behalf of Miss McKaskie that Mr Cameron plainly demonstrated a lack of concern which route was adopted by walkers when trying to use the footpath.”
Miss McKaskie’s legal team said they were delighted the wait was finally over.
But as the farmer has indicated he wishes to appeal, they will now have to wait to determine the full scale of compensation.
The farming community has expressed extreme disappointment over the ruling, and farmers are worried if the appeal is unsuccessful the agriculture industry will become another victim of an excessive claims culture.
Bet that tort him a lesson. I going for a bit of a gambol today methinks...
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