Home & Public Injury Compensation Claims

An accident in a public place, on holiday, or at home can happen in an instant, and it is not always obvious who was responsible or whether you can claim. If you were injured because someone else failed to take reasonable care, whether the occupier of premises, a business, or the maker of a faulty product, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

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Injured elderly man being cared for at home

Injured at Home or in Public? We Can Help You Claim Compensation

With more than 30 years of experience in personal injury, the team here at McCarthy + Co Solicitors LLP advises people injured in a wide range of everyday settings, from shops and leisure facilities to parks and holiday resorts. We provide clear, practical guidance at every stage of the claims process.

These claims are usually built on one of a few legal foundations. Occupiers of premises, such as shops, gyms, and swimming pools, owe a duty to take reasonable care for the safety of their visitors. Businesses and service providers owe a similar public liability duty. The makers and suppliers of products can be liable where a defective product causes injury. The right approach depends on how and where you were hurt, which is why it is worth taking legal advice. Arrange a time to speak with a solicitor here by completing our quick and confidential online form.

Types of claims we assist with

You may find it helpful to go straight to the guide that matches your situation:

Holiday accidents – Claims against negligent tour operators, hotels, or transport providers.
Aviation accidents – For passengers injured on a commercial or private flight.
Park and playground accidents – For children and parents where a park or playground was poorly maintained.
Shopping centre accidents – For those injured in a shop, retail space, or shopping centre.
Gym accidents – For injuries caused by faulty equipment or negligent management.
Fairground and theme park accidents – For those injured at an amusement park or funfair.
Swimming pool accidents – For injuries at a negligently managed pool or leisure centre.
Product liability claims – For injuries caused by a defective or dangerous product.
Equine accidents – For those injured while riding, or through the actions of a horse owner.
Dog bite claims – For those injured in an attack by a dog.
E.coli poisoning claims – For those who became seriously ill through an E. coli infection.

If none of the above is relevant to you, send us a message using the form on this page and we will call you back to discuss your situation.

How these claims work

Where you were injured on someone else’s premises, your claim is likely to fall under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1995, which was amended in 2023 to rebalance the duty owed by occupiers. In general, an occupier must take such care as is reasonable in all the circumstances for the safety of visitors, and a claim succeeds where that reasonable care was not taken and you were injured as a result. Where a defective product caused your injury, the Liability for Defective Products Act 1991 may allow a claim against its producer or supplier. Certain areas, such as aviation and package holidays, are governed by their own specific rules.

As with other personal injury claims, most of these must first be submitted to the Injuries Resolution Board, and you generally have two years, less one day, from the date of the accident, or the date you became aware of your injury, to bring a claim. Notifying the party responsible in writing at an early stage is also important. Because the right legal basis is not always obvious, early advice helps to make sure your claim is put on the correct footing.

“I had a very positive experience with McCarthy + Co. Solicitors. From day one I felt they were really interested in my case and getting the best possible outcome for me. The communication was top class from my solicitor Liam Crowley and from the secretaries. Each step was explained to me as to what I had to do and what was going to happen next. I was extremely happy with the outcome as it turned out to be better than I had expected.”

GG

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Meet Liam Crowley

Liam Crowley is a partner at McCarthy + Co Solicitors LLP and leads our personal injury department. He has worked in litigation for almost 20 years, and in recent years he has acted almost exclusively for personal injury plaintiffs before the Circuit and High Courts, attending court venues throughout Ireland. He has handled many complex High Court actions involving multiple defendants and high-value loss of earnings claims. He has also managed investigations and claims in many product and public liability cases.

If you have been injured at home or in a public place, and you would like trusted, attentive advice, you can contact Liam directly at liam@mccarthy.ie.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some of the questions we are often asked about home & public injury claims.

Who is responsible when I am injured in a public place?

It depends on where you were and what happened. The occupier of the premises, such as the shop, gym, or leisure centre, is often responsible, because they owe a duty to take reasonable care for the safety of visitors. In other cases, responsibility may rest with a business, an event organiser, a local authority, or the maker of a defective product. Sometimes more than one party is involved, and part of our job is to identify who is liable.

Do I have to prove that someone was at fault?

Yes. Irish law does not provide automatic compensation for an accident. You must show that another party owed you a duty of care, that they failed to meet it, and that this caused your injury. Since 2023, the duty owed by occupiers has been rebalanced somewhat, but claims for genuine negligence remain fully actionable, and identifying the fault is part of what your solicitor does.

What if I was partly to blame?

You may still be able to claim. Where your own carelessness contributed to the accident, any award may be reduced to reflect your share of the responsibility, under the rules on contributory negligence, but this does not necessarily defeat the claim. Each case turns on its own facts.

How is compensation calculated?

Compensation has two parts. General damages, for pain, suffering, and the effect on your life, are assessed using the Personal Injuries Guidelines. Special damages cover financial losses, such as medical expenses, loss of earnings, and other costs arising from the injury.