Injuries happen in many different ways. A child might be hurt on unsafe premises. A family pet could be attacked in a public park. A holiday accident might cut a trip short and leave lasting effects. In every case, what matters is this, someone had a duty to prevent it and did not.
Injuries happen in many different ways. A child might be hurt on unsafe premises. A family pet could be attacked in a public park. A holiday accident might cut a trip short and leave lasting effects. In every case, what matters is this, someone had a duty to prevent it and did not.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we help people across Clare and beyond make sense of unexpected, often complex accidents. That includes claims involving serious head and spinal injuries, dog bites, sports injuries, psychological trauma, fatal accidents, aviation-related harm, and incidents affecting children. These are not just legal cases. They are real lives disrupted by avoidable mistakes.
We approach every claim with care and clarity. From the first conversation, we take time to understand what happened and how it has affected your health, your family and your future. If you decide to move forward, we will guide you every step of the way with practical advice, grounded support and a clear focus on results.
If you believe your injury was caused by someone else’s failure to act responsibly, contact Crimmins Howard. We are ready to help you take the next step.
When a child is injured due to someone else’s negligence, the legal process works differently. Children may be hurt in schools, playgrounds, shops or private homes, often through preventable hazards. These claims require careful handling and must reflect not only physical injury but the emotional and developmental impact. A parent or guardian can bring the claim on behalf of the child, and settlements usually require court approval to ensure the child’s interests are fully protected.
Dog owners have a legal responsibility to control their animals in public and private spaces. When a person is bitten or injured by a dog, especially where that animal was known to be aggressive, the owner can be held liable. Injuries can include serious lacerations, scarring, or psychological trauma, particularly in children. We help clients pursue claims that hold owners accountable and seek compensation for the harm caused by their failure to control the animal.
An injury abroad can be stressful and complicated, especially when you return home. These claims may involve foreign hotels, tour operators or travel insurers. We assist clients who suffered injury due to unsafe accommodation, excursions gone wrong, or poor medical care during travel. Where the holiday was booked through an Irish or EU-based provider, it may be possible to bring the claim in Ireland. We work to untangle jurisdiction and ensure proper documentation is secured.
Spinal injuries can result from road traffic accidents, workplace incidents, sports collisions or falls. They often lead to lasting physical impairment, chronic pain or loss of mobility. These cases require detailed medical evidence and forward-looking planning to assess long-term needs. We build claims that take into account rehabilitation, housing adaptation, lost income and the emotional toll that such injuries place on individuals and their families.
Even a seemingly minor blow to the head can lead to serious consequences. Concussions, traumatic brain injuries or cognitive issues may take time to emerge. We help clients who have suffered head injuries as a result of accidents in public places, transport incidents or falls due to unsafe conditions. Our approach focuses on documenting the full extent of harm, including memory issues, behavioural changes, or long-term effects on daily life and work.
Losing a loved one because of someone else’s negligence is devastating. Under Irish law, certain family members can bring a claim for wrongful death to seek compensation and recognition of their loss. This may include funeral expenses, loss of financial support and the emotional impact on the family. We handle these claims with sensitivity, discretion and care, ensuring that your rights are protected while allowing space to grieve.
Psychological injuries can be just as debilitating as physical ones. Post-traumatic stress may arise after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event, such as a serious crash, assault or medical error. These claims require strong psychological assessment and careful documentation. We work with mental health professionals to support claims involving flashbacks, anxiety, depression and functional impairments, ensuring that the emotional consequences of trauma are not overlooked in legal proceedings.
While sports carry inherent risks, negligence still applies. Injuries caused by unsafe pitches, poorly maintained equipment, inadequate supervision or reckless behaviour may give rise to a valid claim. We act for players of all ages who were harmed due to lapses in duty by organisers, coaches, clubs or facility owners. These claims often involve minors, and our firm is experienced in taking the additional legal steps such cases require.
Injuries that occur during air travel, boarding or disembarkation may fall under international conventions as well as Irish law. These incidents can range from burns and spills to serious turbulence injuries or boarding accidents. We advise clients on how to navigate airline responsibility, passenger rights and the relevant procedures for seeking compensation. Aviation claims require careful attention to deadlines and technical standards, which we manage on your behalf.
Not every accident results in a claim, and not every unfortunate incident is caused by negligence. For an injury claim to be legally actionable, certain criteria must be met. Understanding these elements helps ensure your time and energy are directed toward cases with a real chance of success.
In each of the examples above, someone, whether an individual, business, organisation or authority must have owed you a duty of care. This might be a shop owner ensuring floors are safe, a council maintaining playground equipment, or a dog owner keeping their pet under control. If they had a legal obligation to take reasonable steps to prevent harm, that is your starting point.
It is not enough that an injury occurred. You must show that the other party failed in their legal responsibility. For instance, if a child was injured because school staff failed to supervise properly, or if a holiday resort neglected safety checks, those may be breaches of duty. Each case depends on the context and whether the standard of care fell below what is reasonable.
This is known as causation. We must show that your injury would not have happened if the responsible party had acted as they should. For example, if someone tripped on a clearly visible hazard that had been reported and ignored, the link between the breach and the injury is strong. We gather evidence, such as photographs, medical reports, and witness statements to establish this connection.
For a claim to proceed, the injury must have had a real and measurable impact on your life. That might include time off work, physical or emotional suffering, the need for treatment, or disruption to daily living. We ensure the claim reflects not only what has already happened but also any ongoing or future effects.
Most personal injury claims in Ireland must be brought within two years less one day of the date of injury or the date you became aware of the injury’s cause. For children, the clock does not start until their 18th birthday. Acting promptly ensures that records are still available, witnesses can be contacted, and your case is not ruled out on technical grounds.
Yes. A parent or legal guardian can bring a claim on behalf of a minor. The claim must be made within two years of the child’s 18th birthday, though it is often advisable to act sooner while evidence and witness accounts remain fresh. The court must approve any settlement to ensure the child’s long-term interests are protected.
You may still have a valid claim. This is known as contributory negligence. The court may reduce the compensation to reflect your share of responsibility, but it does not prevent you from recovering damages altogether. For example, if you were not wearing a seatbelt but were injured due to someone else’s reckless driving, both factors may be taken into account.
Possibly. If you were injured while on holiday but booked your travel through an Irish-based tour operator, the claim may be brought in Ireland. We assess each case based on the location, the contract involved, and the parties responsible. Travel-related claims require early investigation due to time limits and foreign jurisdiction rules.
Yes. The standard time limit of two years applies to psychological injury claims, starting from when you became aware of the harm and its link to a specific event. These claims often arise from trauma, and the injury may not be immediately obvious. We can help determine when the clock started and whether the claim is still within time.
There is no single definition. A “serious” injury may refer to lasting physical damage, visible scarring, psychological trauma, or loss of mobility. Even injuries that appear minor at first can develop into long-term issues. The key factor is whether the injury had a meaningful impact on your daily life, finances or wellbeing. We help you document this thoroughly.
Yes. A medical report from a qualified practitioner is essential to establish the nature and extent of your injury. This document outlines your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. It is used to support your claim and calculate appropriate compensation. If necessary, we can arrange for an independent medical assessment to assist in building your case.
Yes, in some circumstances. If your injury was caused by poor supervision, defective equipment, an unsafe playing surface or dangerous conduct outside the rules of the game, a claim may be possible. We assess whether the injury resulted from negligence rather than the normal risks accepted in organised sport.
You may still be able to claim through other channels. For example, in the case of a road accident with an uninsured driver, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) may provide compensation. For animal attacks or injuries on private property, homeowners’ or public liability policies may apply. We investigate all potential routes for recovery.
No. Every claim must be supported by evidence that proves fault and shows the extent of your injury. While many valid claims are settled successfully, the process involves detailed legal and medical scrutiny. Our role is to give you honest guidance from the start and to present your case with strength and care.
If you have been injured and believe someone else was at fault, Crimmins Howard Solicitors is here to help. We will listen to your story, explain your options clearly, and guide you through every stage of the process. Contact us today to speak with a solicitor who will treat your case with the care it deserves.
