January 31, 2023
Healthcare law – a year in review.
Over the course of the last year, there have been many interesting judgements in the High Court and the Court of Appeal in relation to healthcare and personal injury law....
Accidents in Public Places
If you have been injured in a public place, you may be able to bring a claim against another party if it can be proven they were at fault. Most private and public entities, regardless of type and scale, should be insured for such eventualities; this is referred to as public liability insurance.
All organisations and businesses have a legal duty to ensure the health and safety of their customers and other members of the public. In practical terms, this means they are required to assess all risks across their operation and act on them appropriately. They should seek to eliminate any risks they find, but if this is not feasible, to make all reasonable changes to mitigate those risks.
If for example, a local library identifies that a bookshelf could tip over if overloaded, they should take measures to anchor the shelving to avoid such an occurrence. If this is not possible, they may elect to remove it entirely or place clear signage warning of limitations on its use at the very least. In the case of a pavement pothole, local authorities must assess and monitor such defects in terms of size and depth to determine the risk to members of the public. Likewise, supermarkets must ensure floor surfaces are safe at all times, whether in car parks or within their premises.
If you have been injured as a result of an accident in a public place, Lavelle Partners can assist you with all aspects of bringing a claim for damages. At the outset, we will listen to the details of the incident and help you to determine if another party may be liable for your accident. And if so, we can handle the claims process from start to completion; including gathering all of the evidence needed to collate a robust claim and seeking expert opinion where needed.
Our team of public liability accident solicitors have managed many such claims over the past three decades and will support you and your family during what will likely be a deeply worrying and stressful time. The claim we manage on your behalf will seek to cover any pain, suffering, and loss you have incurred, and may incur in the future.
It may be possible to bring a claim against an at-fault party in relation to:
It may also be possible to bring a claim against an individual if they have caused you to suffer an injury in a public place. This might include being bitten or attacked by a dog in a public area, or due to an assault.
To bring a claim against a negligent party for your injuries, it will be necessary to prove:
This means that in some contexts, it may not be possible to make a claim because there is a lack of proof that negligence occurred. One of our primary roles will be to establish if there are grounds for a claim and if so, to create a compelling case that proves the other party held legal culpability which they breached, leading to your injury.
If you are unsure if the circumstances of your accident are grounds for a claim, please contact one of our public place accident solicitors today who will take the time to listen to the details of your case and advise you of your legal options.
Claims following accidents in public places due to negligence may cover two areas of loss:
The costs you receive will be based on the precise injuries suffered and the circumstances of the case.
By allowing us to handle your claim on your behalf, you can focus on what is most important, your recovery and care, or that of your family member or loved one.
For further information on making a claim for an accident in a public place in Ireland, please contact Lavelle Solicitors in confidence on (01) 644 5800 or email Avril Scally at ascally@lavellepartners.ie
Search site
Contact our office
Make an enquiry