Claims Relating to Injuries in Public Parks
If you or a loved one has been injured in a public park, you may be feeling overwhelmed, unsure of where to turn, and in need of a bit of straight, reliable advice. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we understand how unsettling it can be when a place meant for relaxation or recreation becomes the site of an accident. Whether it’s a fall on a poorly maintained path, a playground injury, or another unexpected incident, we’re here to help you make sense of it all.
For over 20 years, we’ve supported individuals and families across Tallaght and throughout Dublin with practical, down-to-earth legal guidance. We’re proud to be a local firm with deep roots in the community—offering personal service with the backing of decades of experience. When you speak to us, you’re speaking to real people who listen, take the time to understand your situation, and handle your case with care from start to finish.
If something has gone wrong and you believe it could have been prevented, let us take a closer look. We’ll talk you through your options in plain language, keep you updated every step of the way, and work hard to secure the best possible outcome for you.
Get in touch with John O’Leary Solicitors LLP today. We’re here when you need us.
Types of Public Park Accidents That Can Lead to a Claim
Public parks are meant to be safe, welcoming spaces—places where families go to unwind, where children can play freely, and where neighbours cross paths on their daily walks. Unfortunately, not every park is maintained as it should be. When something goes wrong due to poor upkeep, faulty equipment or a hazard that should’ve been fixed, the consequences can be serious. Here are some of the more common ways people are injured in parks across Tallaght and the wider Dublin area—situations where a claim may be worth exploring.
Slips, Trips and Falls
Uneven paving stones, broken kerbs, exposed tree roots, and potholes are all too common in older or poorly maintained parks. Add wet leaves, mossy surfaces, or washed-out gravel to the mix, and you’ve got conditions that can lead to nasty falls. We’ve seen clients who suffered ankle fractures, shoulder injuries, or dental trauma simply from walking a familiar path in a local park.
Playground Accidents
Play areas should be safe zones—especially for children. But sadly, broken swings, rusted chains, loose bolts, and missing safety mats can all turn a day out into a trip to A&E. When equipment is left in poor condition or warnings aren’t in place, parents may be left dealing with distress and medical bills through no fault of their own.
Falling Branches and Unstable Trees
Trees need regular inspection and pruning, especially in well-trafficked green spaces. We’ve dealt with cases where branches fell during calm weather—not storms—due to neglected tree maintenance. Whether it’s a head injury or a broken collarbone, these incidents can have a lasting impact.
Damaged Park Fixtures
Benches that give way, railings that wobble, bins with sharp exposed edges—these might seem like minor annoyances, until someone gets hurt. Even signage poles that aren’t properly secured can tip or collapse, especially in parks with high footfall or community events.
Poor Lighting or Visibility
Twilight walks are a part of daily life for many people, especially in winter. But when park lighting is broken, poorly positioned, or simply missing in key areas, people are left vulnerable to trips, collisions, and personal injury. Low visibility is also a known factor in many evening-time accidents involving shared park paths.
Dog-related Incidents
Public parks often welcome dogs, but that means proper signage, leash enforcement, and fencing need to be in place. A dog running loose in a children’s play zone or a large breed knocking over an elderly walker can result in avoidable injuries—and someone may be held responsible if basic rules weren’t followed.
Hazards on Shared-use Paths
Many of Dublin’s parks include trails used by pedestrians, cyclists, joggers, and people on scooters. But when markings are unclear, lanes aren’t separated, or speed control isn’t in place, collisions can and do happen. A casual walk shouldn’t end in a broken wrist because a cyclist didn’t see you, or wasn’t seen themselves.
Who Is Legally Responsible for Park Safety?
If you’ve been injured in a public park, one of the first questions you might ask yourself is: who’s actually responsible for this? It’s a fair question—and one we’re asked all the time.
In most cases, responsibility for park safety falls to the local authority. For those living in Tallaght or wider South Dublin, that usually means South Dublin County Council. Councils have a duty to keep public spaces like parks reasonably safe for the people who use them. That includes everything from fixing cracked footpaths to maintaining trees, replacing damaged play equipment, and making sure lighting is working where it’s needed.
But things aren’t always straightforward. Sometimes, a park—or a section of it—may be under the care of a third-party contractor, such as a landscaping company or private maintenance provider. Other times, the space might be temporarily used for a public event, in which case the organiser may have some level of responsibility. We’ve also seen cases where newer housing estates have green areas that haven’t yet been handed over to the council, meaning the developer or management company may be liable.
The key issue is what’s known as the duty of care—that is, whether the party responsible for the park took reasonable steps to keep it safe. If they knew (or should have known) about a hazard and didn’t deal with it in good time, they could be held accountable. For example, if locals had reported a dangerous pothole in a park path and it wasn’t repaired or clearly marked, that could be grounds for a claim if someone was injured because of it.
It’s also worth knowing that just because a space is “public” doesn’t mean the rules don’t apply. Councils and those acting on their behalf are expected to keep areas like Tymon Park or Sean Walsh Park in a condition that’s reasonably safe for regular use—whether that’s walking, playing, or simply sitting on a bench.
If you’re unsure who was responsible for the area where your injury happened, don’t worry. We’ll look into it for you, gather the necessary details, and guide you through the next steps without stress or pressure.
How to Know If You Might Have a Valid Claim
After an accident in a public park, many people are left wondering if what happened to them was just bad luck—or something more. The truth is, not every injury leads to a claim. But if the accident was caused by something that should have been fixed or warned about, you may have a valid case.
Here are a few questions to consider:
- Was the hazard avoidable?
If there was a broken path, faulty equipment, or an obvious maintenance issue, ask yourself—should this have been dealt with before anyone got hurt? If the answer is yes, then that points toward possible negligence.
- Had anyone else raised concerns?
In some cases, issues are reported to the council or a local authority but still left unaddressed. If someone had already flagged the problem—whether online, in writing, or through local channels—and it remained unresolved, it strengthens your position.
- Was there any warning in place?
A missing or unreadable sign can be important. For example, if a playground slide was unsafe but had no notice saying it was out of order, that could show a lack of reasonable care.
- Were you using the space as intended?
Using a path for walking, a bench for sitting, or a play area for your child—all of these fall within expected use. But claims can become harder if you were running where you shouldn’t, using equipment incorrectly, or entering a closed-off area.
Let’s look at a couple of common examples:
- A woman walking her dog in Dodder Valley Park trips over a raised slab in the path that had clearly been broken for weeks. No signage. No barrier. The council had received complaints but hadn’t addressed it. That’s likely grounds for a claim.
- A teenager climbs the outside of a closed slide that’s cordoned off with a warning sign and ends up falling. While injuries here may be significant, this situation may not succeed due to how the space was used.
Every case is different, and you don’t need to have all the answers upfront. Many clients come to us unsure if they even can make a claim. That’s perfectly normal. We’ll listen to what happened, ask the right questions, and help you figure out where you stand.
What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in a Public Park
When you’ve had a fall or injury in a public park, the last thing on your mind might be what to do next. But even simple steps taken early on can make a real difference—both for your recovery and for any future claim you may consider.
1. Look After Your Health First
No matter how minor your injury may seem at first, it’s important to get medical attention. What looks like a sprain might turn out to be a fracture. If you’ve hit your head or twisted your back, get it checked. A record from your GP, an out-of-hours clinic, or A&E can also be helpful later.
2. Record the Scene, If You Can
If you’re in a condition to do so—or if someone with you can help—take clear photos of the area where the injury happened. Capture the hazard: the broken surface, damaged bench, missing safety rail, or whatever caused the accident. Photograph your injuries too, if visible. Also note the time and date, the exact location (name of the park or section), and anything unusual—like faulty lighting, water pooling, or missing signage.
3. Get Witness Details
If anyone saw what happened, ask for their name and contact information. This might include a passer-by, another parent, or even a council worker nearby. Witnesses don’t need to write a statement on the spot—they just need to be reachable later if needed.
4. Report the Incident
Let the council know about what happened. If you’re unsure how to do this, we can guide you. Keep a copy of any email or form you submit. If the accident took place in a park operated by a management company or event organiser, we can help identify who to contact.
5. Keep What Matters
Hang onto any clothing, shoes, or damaged items that were affected in the accident—they can help demonstrate the seriousness of the incident. Also keep receipts for medical expenses, taxis, childcare, or anything else related to your injury. If you didn't do all of the above, that's okay. Most people don’t think about these things in the moment—and you’re not expected to be perfect. The earlier we speak with you, the better we can help gather and preserve what’s needed. We’ll work with whatever you have and fill in the gaps where we can.
What’s at Stake (And Why Acting Early Matters)
When you’re dealing with the aftereffects of an injury—pain, appointments, maybe time off work—it’s easy to put legal matters on the long finger. Many people think, “It’s probably too late,” or “I’m not the sort to make a fuss.” But there are real reasons to act sooner rather than later.
There Are Strict Time Limits
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to start a personal injury claim in Ireland. That’s the legal limit—once it passes, you may lose your right to bring a claim entirely. It doesn’t matter how strong your case is, or how serious the injury was. There are a few exceptions, such as for children or people who lacked capacity at the time, but for most adults, the clock starts ticking straight away.
That’s why it’s important to at least get advice early, even if you don’t act on it straight away.
You Might Be Entitled to More Than You Think
Compensation isn’t just about the injury itself. It can help cover:
- Lost income if you’ve missed work
- Physiotherapy or counselling costs
- Travel expenses to and from appointments
- Help at home during recovery
- Long-term effects like scarring or reduced mobility
We’ve seen how a fair settlement can lift real pressure off families—especially when costs begin to add up or recovery takes longer than expected.
Evidence Fades With Time
Park maintenance records, CCTV footage, and even witness memory can become harder to rely on as the weeks go by. The sooner we can step in, the better chance we have to secure what’s needed and build a strong case.
If you’re unsure whether time is running out or whether compensation applies in your situation, just ask. We’ll give you an honest, clear answer.
Pain, Suffering, and Quality of Life
Park maintenance records, CCTV footage, and even witness memory can become harder to rely on as the weeks go by. The sooner we can step in, the better chance we have to secure what’s needed and build a strong case.
If you’re unsure whether time is running out or whether compensation applies in your situation, just ask. We’ll give you an honest, clear answer.
Get Support from a Local Solicitor
A fall or injury in a public park can leave you shaken, unsure whether it’s worth speaking up. But if something was left unsafe and you were the one affected, it’s okay to ask questions. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’ve helped people across Tallaght and South Dublin take that first step with quiet confidence. If you’re wondering what your options might be, get in touch with us. We’ll listen, explain, and help you move forward.