Highly regarded law firm, Maurice Blackburn intends to file a class action against the Commonwealth for economic loss suffered due to the 2007 Equine Influenza (EI) outbreak in eastern Australia. Maurice Blackburn will be representing individuals, clubs, businesses and not-for-profit organisations of the horse industry, who have suffered loss.
Maurice Blackburn have identified that trainers may have a potential claim within this action for losses suffered and expenses incurred as a result of EI, as set out below. If you or your training business has suffered any of the following as a result of the outbreak of EI in 2007, then we encourage you to register your interest in the class action.
The kinds of losses you can recover for include the following:
(a) Loss of expected fees for breaking in.
(b) Loss of expected profit and/or commission from syndicating a horse that was unable to be sold or its value decreased as a result of EI.
(c) Loss of expected training fees from horses in work, or where horses had to be changed from in-work horses to spelling horses.
(d) Loss of income that would have been generated from racing that did not occur due to EI quarantine measures.
The kinds of expenses you may recover for include the following (to the extent these were directly incurred by you):
(a) Veterinary fees.
(b) Biosecurity requirements, such as disinfectant and spray bottles.
(c) Additional stabling or transporting costs.
Receipt of a CHAPS payment or other government assistance does not preclude you from joining the action.
We also note that many Trainers are major owners of horses and may have suffered losses as an owner which are also claimable and can be registered.
To register your interest you can visit the Maurice Blackburn website at http://www.mauriceblackburn.com.au/equineinfluenza and complete the online registration form.
Registering your interest does not mean that you are signed up to the class action and it does not obligate you to pay any legal costs. Maurice Blackburn will contact you upon receiving your completed registration form to invite you to retain them as your lawyers in respect of your individual claim. The action will be funded by a Litigation Funder on a No Win No Fee basis so for those who join there is no risk of “Out-of-Pocket” expenses.
We encourage you to register your interest for the class action by 21 DECEMBER 2012 when Registrations will close.
Maurice Blackburn will be filing on behalf of clients as a Closed Class Action which means only those clients who have registered and returned their retainers will be able to participate.
If you have any other queries you can contact Maurice Blackburn at equineinfluenza@mauriceblackburn.com.au or on 1800 810 812.
