Falls happen fast. One moment you’re walking along, the next you’re on the ground, shaken, hurt, and wondering what just happened. A slippery shop floor, an uneven footpath, a loose mat in a public building… they might seem small, but when they cause injury, they can have a big impact on your life.
Falls happen fast. One moment you’re walking along, the next you’re on the ground, shaken, hurt, and wondering what just happened. A slippery shop floor, an uneven footpath, a loose mat in a public building… they might seem small, but when they cause injury, they can have a big impact on your life.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we know that a fall isn’t always just a fall. It can mean time off work, pain that lingers, or the strain of trying to manage daily tasks while you recover. When the accident was caused by someone else’s lack of care, it’s only right to explore your options.
We’re a local firm with deep roots in Clare, and we take pride in helping people who’ve been treated unfairly. You won’t be rushed or pressured. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your rights clearly, and guide you through the next steps if you decide to make a claim. Because being injured in a place that should have been safe isn’t something you should have to carry on your own.
If you’ve been hurt in a slip, trip or fall, get in touch with Crimmins Howard Solicitors. We’ll help you understand where you stand—and stand by you if you choose to move forward.
Slips, trips and falls can happen anywhere. One second you’re walking through a shop, crossing a footpath, or stepping into a public building and the next, you’re on the ground, injured and stunned. For many people, the fall itself is just the start. What follows can be weeks of pain, hospital appointments, time off work, and the stress of trying to keep things going.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we understand that no one expects to be hurt on an ordinary day out. These accidents often catch people off guard, leaving them in pain and unsure what to do next. But when your injury was caused by someone else’s lack of care whether it was a wet floor, a broken step, or a loose paving stone you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim.
Under Irish law, property owners and occupiers have a duty to keep their premises safe. That includes businesses, local authorities, public transport providers and even private landlords. If they fail to spot and fix a hazard, or don’t act quickly when one appears, and someone gets hurt as a result they can be held legally responsible.
Slip, trip and fall claims are some of the most common types of public liability and workplace accident cases we handle. These aren’t just claims for broken bones or sprained ankles. They’re claims for dignity, for fairness, and for the peace of mind that comes from knowing the law is on your side.
Every case is different. Some accidents happen indoors, some outside. Some involve a single hazard, while others reveal a pattern of poor safety standards. That’s why we take the time to hear the full story and look at the details. If we believe you have a valid claim, we’ll explain your options in plain, honest terms and we’ll guide you through the process step by step.
Most slip, trip and fall accidents are preventable. They often happen because a hazard was overlooked, ignored, or left unattended for too long. When a property owner, business, employer or local authority fails to keep their premises in a safe condition, it puts the public at risk and the consequences can be serious.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we’ve seen just how wide-ranging these hazards can be. Below are some of the most common causes we encounter in personal injury claims:
Accidents don’t just happen in dramatic conditions. Many involve simple, everyday hazards that were never addressed. And while the cause may seem small, the injuries that follow can be anything but.
If you’ve been hurt in a fall and one of the above conditions played a part, there may be a strong case to explore. We’ll help determine what went wrong and who may be responsible.
Establishing who is legally responsible for your injury is one of the first and most important steps in a personal injury claim. Under Irish law, the person or organisation in control of the premises where your accident occurred has a duty to take reasonable care to prevent harm. If they failed to do so and that failure led to your injury they may be held liable.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we carefully investigate each case to identify the responsible party or parties. Liability often depends on the location of the fall and the circumstances that led up to it.
Parties that are commonly liable include:
Where more than one party is involved, we’ll assess all aspects of the case to ensure liability is properly assigned. You shouldn’t have to figure this out on your own especially when you’re recovering from an injury.
To make a successful slip, trip or fall claim in Ireland, it’s not enough to simply prove that you fell and were hurt you must also show that your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence. In legal terms, this means demonstrating that the person or organisation responsible for the property failed in their duty of care and that their failure directly led to your accident.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we help you gather and present the right evidence to support your claim. The more detailed and early the evidence, the stronger your position will be.
Important evidence in these claims include:
Evidence makes the difference between a difficult case and a well-supported claim. We’ll work closely with you to build a clear picture of what went wrong and why it should never have happened.
In Ireland, compensation is generally broken down into two main categories: general damages and special damages.
These cover the direct physical and emotional impact of the injury. The amount awarded depends on the nature of the injury, how long recovery takes, and the long-term outlook.
Examples of general damages include:
The Judicial Council’s Personal Injury Guidelines are used to estimate typical ranges for different injuries. However, no two people are affected in exactly the same way, and we make sure your personal experience is fully taken into account.
Special damages cover the financial losses caused by the accident. These are based on actual costs you’ve incurred and projected expenses in the future.
Examples include:
We’ll help you gather receipts, statements, and records to support every part of your claim. You’ll never be left to do the paperwork alone.
Our goal is to ensure that the full impact of your fall – physical, emotional and financial is recognised and compensated fairly. Because when someone else’s negligence changes your life, you deserve to be treated with care and respect.
Many people hesitate to bring a claim because they believe the fall was partly their own fault. Maybe you weren’t looking where you were going. Maybe you wore the wrong shoes for the weather. Or maybe you noticed the hazard but thought you could step around it. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not entitled to compensation.
In Irish law, this is referred to as contributory negligence. It means that even if you played a small part in the accident, you may still have a valid claim. The compensation amount might be adjusted based on your level of responsibility, but it won’t automatically disqualify you.
For example:
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we’ll assess the full situation and give you clear, honest advice. We’ll never lead you on and we’ll never let you walk away from a fair claim just because someone tried to shift the blame onto you.
Yes, if the area was under the control of a landlord or management company and they failed to maintain it safely. This might include shared entrances, stairs or pathways. If your injury was caused by neglect like broken tiles, poor lighting or unaddressed hazards you may have grounds for a claim under occupiers’ liability law.
While it’s ideal to report the incident immediately, you may still have a valid claim. Other forms of evidence such as medical records, photos or witness statements can still support your case. If you’re unsure, speak to a solicitor as soon as possible to review your options while the evidence is still accessible.
Yes. If your child was injured due to a hazard in a public or private place, you can bring a claim on their behalf as their “next friend.” The time limit for child injury claims is also longer, usually extending to two years from the child’s 18th birthday.
Possibly. A temporary hazard like a spillage or loose wire may still result in liability if the person responsible failed to act quickly enough to fix it or warn the public. The key legal question is whether the owner or occupier had a reasonable opportunity to spot and resolve the issue.
Yes if it has affected your ability to work, perform everyday tasks, or caused discomfort that lasted more than a few days. Minor injuries may seem small but can lead to expenses or longer-term complications. A solicitor can help assess whether your case meets the legal threshold for a personal injury claim.
Pain and suffering are assessed using the Judicial Council’s Personal Injury Guidelines, which list common injuries and typical compensation ranges. However, courts also consider your age, occupation, and the impact on your daily life. Emotional distress, if medically documented, may also be factored into your general damages.
Yes, if your child fell due to unsafe conditions such as poor maintenance, inadequate supervision, or hazards left in play areas or hallways. Schools and crèches have a duty of care under both health and safety law and child protection standards. We can guide you through the specific process involved.
In most cases, no. Businesses, public bodies, and landlords are typically insured for public liability claims. Compensation is paid out by the insurance company, not the individual or business owner personally. The claim process is designed to avoid creating unnecessary hardship for those defending the case.
The legal principles are similar, but the responsible parties differ. In a shopping centre, liability usually falls on the occupier or their cleaning contractors. On a public footpath, responsibility typically lies with the local council. The evidence needed and the claim route may vary accordingly.
Carrying items doesn’t automatically exclude you from claiming. The key is whether the hazard was visible and avoidable. If poor conditions caused your fall, the presence of shopping bags, deliveries or children in your care may explain why you couldn’t react in time and this can actually support your case.
While they may seem similar, they can involve different causes. Slips often involve wet or smooth surfaces, trips result from obstacles or uneven ground, and falls may involve stairs, height or collapsing structures. Identifying the cause helps determine liability and the legal approach we’ll take.
Proceed carefully. Insurers may make early offers that seem generous but don’t reflect the full impact of your injury. Once accepted, these offers can’t be revisited. Always get legal advice before signing or agreeing to anything you may be entitled to far more than what’s initially proposed.
If your injury involved another person’s negligence and has affected your health, finances or routine, you likely need legal advice. A solicitor ensures your case is taken seriously, evidence is secured on time, and that you’re not underpaid. Most importantly, we handle the legal burden so you can focus on healing.
If you’ve suffered a fall that wasn’t your fault, you don’t have to face it alone. At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we’ll listen without judgment, explain your rights in plain English, and guide you every step of the way. Contact us today for a confidential chat with a local solicitor who truly understands your situation.
