What is a Slip and Fall Claim?
Slip and fall claims cover injuries caused by wet floors, uneven or defective surfaces, unmarked changes in floor level, polished surfaces in foyers and entrances, and unaddressed seasonal hazards like leaves and ice. The claim is made under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1995 against whoever occupied or controlled the premises.
Am I Entitled to Claim?
You can claim if the occupier failed to take reasonable care. Typical failures include not cleaning and inspecting regularly, not warning of wet floors, not gritting entrances in winter, not addressing known defects, and using inappropriate cleaning products. Documented inspection logs and staff training records usually decide these cases.
Step-by-Step Process
Immediate Reporting
Report to the occupier. Complete their accident form. Ask for the name of the duty manager.
Preserve the Evidence
Photos of the hazard, the location, any warning signs, and the floor surface.
Medical Attention
Attend A&E or GP the same day. Hip, wrist, and head injuries are common in falls.
Witnesses and CCTV
Gather witness details. Send a written CCTV preservation request within days.
Contact Keans
Free consultation. We request inspection logs and cleaning contractor details.
Resolution
Most slip and fall cases settle through the IRB. Disputed liability cases go to court.
Evidence That Strengthens Your Claim
The stronger the evidence, the more straightforward the claim. Where possible, gather the following:
- Photos of the hazard, surface, or defect that caused the accident
- The incident report you filed with staff at the location
- Names and contact details of any witnesses
- CCTV footage request made in writing within days of the accident
- Weather records if weather was a factor
- Medical records from A&E, your GP, and follow-up specialists
- Receipts for any out-of-pocket costs including damaged clothing
Compensation Ranges
Based on the Judicial Council’s Personal Injury Guidelines 2021. Awards may also include special damages for lost earnings, medical costs, and future care needs. Exact value depends on your specific injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, typically. Irish occupiers have a duty to grit or otherwise treat entrances during predictable cold weather. Failure to do so founds a claim, particularly where ice was present and foreseeable. Met Eireann records help establish foreseeability.
For council-managed footpaths, the local authority. For footpaths through privately owned land or outside businesses, the owner or occupier. We identify the correct respondent based on the location.
Yes. Many slip-related injuries develop over 24 to 72 hours, especially soft tissue and back injuries. Attend your GP as soon as symptoms appear and report the earlier fall to the occupier if you had not done so already.
Possibly, on contributory negligence grounds, but only if the footwear was clearly inappropriate for the circumstances. Ordinary domestic shoes on an indoor floor rarely count against a claimant.
Two years from the date of the accident or the date you first became aware of the injury. Miss it and your claim is statute barred, so contact a solicitor early.
No. The initial consultation at Keans is free. For personal injury cases we discuss all fees in writing before work begins. In contentious business, Irish law prevents solicitors from calculating fees as a percentage of your award or settlement.