If you’ve been injured in a public place – what are your options?

Often the subject of rumour, speculation and light-hearted banter, public liability injury law is a complex matter. If you have been injured in a public place and feel that it was something that could have been avoided, you may be entitled to compensation. Whether it’s on a public footpath or in a shop or even if you’ve been bitten or attacked by a dog, you should not have to suffer due to the actions or inaction of others.

Every year in Ireland, many thousands of people are injured as a result of accidents in public and private places. The largest proportion of claims relate to accidents occurring in places such as playgrounds, leisure centres, shops and supermarkets. It is the responsibility of shop owner to ensure that they operate an environment that is safe for the public to go about their daily business, The vast, vast majority of store owners work very hard to make sure theirs is a safe place to shop in. But if for example, you slipped on a poorly maintained surface like a wet floor, talk to us about your options.

Similarly, public places like footpaths or pavements must also be fit for use by those that use them. Many others fall victim to falling masonry and the results of poorly maintained properties. Other common queries we get concern dogs and particularly dog bites. While no one keeps their dog for such purposes, occasionally animal instincts take over and a well behaved family dog can bite an innocent person. If this has happened to you, the dog should not have been allowed behave in such a manner and you may be entitled to compensation.

If you have been involved in an accident in a public place,

Click on this link here to call the office for a no obligation enquiry to speak directly to our team

Alternatively, complete our no obligation online enquiry form to the right & a member of our team will be in contact.

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Case Study: Girl (5) awarded €55k after she fell and struck her head against wall in creche

A five-year-old girl, who will be scarred for life after she struck her head against a wall in a creche, was today awarded €55,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court.

Barrister Robert Crowley told the court that Ruth Reilly had been left unattended at Giraffe Childcare Creche, Athlumney Wood, Johnstown, Navan, Co Meath, in October 2013 when she fell and struck her head.
Circuit Court President Mr. Justice Raymond Groarke heard that Ruth, who was two-years-old at the time, suffered a deep laceration and had been bleeding heavily.
The court was told an ambulance was called and after her wound was dressed on site, Ruth was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Co Louth, where it was stitched.

Judge Groarke, awarding Ruth €55,000 damages, said her scar was nasty and noticeable at a conversational distance.

He said that although he was not criticising the way the defendant had handled the case, in his view the €40,000 settlement offer did not meet the full value of the case.

Have you or someone you know been injured in an accident that was not your fault? Start your claim today with Gary Matthews Solicitors.

Dunnes to pay €23k for slip on potato wedge

A housewife who injured her back and wrist when she slipped and fell on a potato wedge in a Dunnes Stores has been awarded €22,900 in damages.
Anna Manning (60) told the Circuit Civil Court that she was in Dunnes Stores in The Mill Centre, Clondalkin, Dublin, in November 2011 when she slipped on something and fell.
She said people, including staff members, gathered around her to make sure she was all right. Someone picked up a squashed potato wedge off the floor, saying: “This is what you’ve slipped on.”

Ms Manning, of St Patrick’s Park, Clondalkin, went home but went to her GP the following day with neck and back pain.
Circuit Court President Mr Justice Raymond Groarke heard she had a history of neck and back pain which had been aggravated by the accident. She also developed pain in her wrist.
Ms Manning sued Dunnes Stores Ltd for negligence. Dunnes denied the claim and alleged she was guilty of contributory negligence.

Judge Groarke, hearing that potato wedges had been spilled that day close to where Ms Manning fell, said that on the balance of probability she had slipped on what would be a “brother or a sister” of the wedges that had been cleaned up earlier. He rejected Dunnes’ allegation of contributory negligence.

SauryaCherfi, Irish Independent