Factory Accident Claims Solicitors Tallaght & Dublin

If you or someone close to you has been injured in a factory accident, we understand how overwhelming things can feel. Between the physical pain, time off work, and worry about what comes next, it’s easy to feel like you’re on your own. But you’re not. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’ve been standing with people in Tallaght and across Dublin for over 20 years—offering calm, clear advice and practical support when life takes a sudden turn.

We’re not a distant legal brand or a call centre. We’re your local team—based right here in Tallaght Village—who treat every client like a neighbour, not a number. When you contact us, you’ll speak directly with John O’Leary or a member of our experienced team who will take the time to listen, explain your options in plain English, and guide you through each step of the claims process at your pace.

Factory accidents can have serious consequences, and getting the right help early on can make all the difference. Our approach is always hands-on and client-first. From the moment you get in touch, we work hard to protect your rights, ease the pressure, and help you secure the compensation you’re entitled to.

If you’ve been hurt in a factory accident, don’t hesitate—contact John O’Leary Solicitors LLP today. We’re ready to help you move forward with confidence, backed by real local experience and care you can trust.

Common Factory Accidents and Injuries in Dublin Workplaces

Factories and industrial sites in Tallaght and across Dublin are busy, fast-paced environments. While they’re essential to the local economy, they can also be dangerous when proper safety measures aren’t in place. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’ve worked with many individuals who’ve suffered life-changing injuries in factory settings, and we understand just how disruptive these incidents can be.

Some of the most common factory accidents include:

  • Machinery accidents– such as entrapments, crush injuries, or amputations caused by moving parts or unguarded machines.
  • Slip, trip and fall accidents– often due to poorly maintained floors, cluttered work areas, or unmarked hazards.
  • Manual handling injuries– including back injuries, hernias, or muscle strains from lifting or carrying heavy items without proper training.
  • Falls from height– particularly from mezzanine levels, ladders, or unstable platforms.
  • Exposure to chemicals or irritants– leading to burns, respiratory issues, or long-term illness.

These incidents are not just unfortunate—they’re avoidable. Whether it’s a food production line in Citywest, a plastics manufacturer near Cookstown Industrial Estate, or a distribution centre in Ballymount, we’ve seen how quickly a normal day can turn into a crisis.

The impact of these injuries can be profound. Some clients are left unable to work for weeks, months, or permanently. Others face surgeries, ongoing physiotherapy, or long-term pain. What’s common across all cases is the disruption to everyday life and the worry about making ends meet.

It’s important to remember that the injuries themselves may be physical, but the knock-on effects—lost income, stress, anxiety, and strain on relationships—are just as real. That’s why we work to secure full and fair compensation, taking into account not just the injury, but the wider impact on your life and your family.

At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we believe factory workers deserve respect, proper protection, and legal support when things go wrong. If you’ve been hurt on the job, we’re here to help you take the next step with confidence.

What Usually Goes Wrong in Factory Workplaces

In many of the factory accident claims we handle, the root causes aren’t mysterious or unpredictable—they’re avoidable failings in how the workplace is run. Employers have a duty to provide a safe system of work, and when that duty slips, people get hurt.

Some of the most common failings we see include:

  • Poor training or rushed induction: Workers expected to operate machinery or perform complex tasks without proper instruction.
  • Inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE): Gloves, masks, visors, or protective clothing that don’t fit, aren’t provided, or are poorly maintained.
  • Defective or unguarded machinery: Equipment that hasn’t been properly serviced, lacks safety guards, or is known to be faulty but left in use.
  • Unrealistic productivity targets: Staff under pressure to meet quotas are more likely to take risks or cut corners to keep up.
  • Lack of supervision or enforcement: Safety rules may be written down, but if no one monitors them day-to-day, they’re often ignored.

In fast-moving factory environments, workers are often asked to do more with less. They may not be encouraged to speak up about safety issues, or may fear losing their job if they raise concerns. This leads to a culture of silence, where unsafe practices continue unchecked.

We’ve seen cases where health and safety policies looked perfect on paper, but in reality, they were never properly followed. That’s why it’s so important to look beyond the paperwork and examine what was really happening on the floor.

We also work with many clients whose first language isn’t English. They may have been handed training materials or safety instructions that they couldn’t fully understand. This puts them at greater risk—and employers who fail to communicate properly still hold responsibility for the outcome.

Factory work is demanding, but it should never be dangerous. When safety is overlooked, and the systems that are supposed to protect you break down, the consequences can be severe. Our role is to step in, uncover what went wrong, and help you hold the right people accountable.

Your Legal Rights After a Factory Injury in Ireland

If you’ve been injured while working in a factory, it’s important to know this: Irish law is on your side. You have a legal right to be safe at work, and when that safety breaks down—whether due to poor training, faulty equipment, or unsafe practices—you may be entitled to bring a claim for compensation.

Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, your employer is legally required to provide a safe place to work, safe equipment, proper training, and clear procedures to reduce risks. If any of these responsibilities were ignored or carried out poorly, and you were injured as a result, your employer may be held liable.

Many people worry they’ll be seen as “causing trouble” if they take legal action—but it’s not about confrontation. It’s about protecting yourself, your income, and your future. Compensation isn’t paid directly by the employer—it usually comes from an insurance policy they are required to have. You’re not doing anything wrong by standing up for yourself.

You also have rights that protect your job. It’s illegal for an employer to penalise you for bringing a genuine claim. If you’re worried about your job security, talk to us—we’ll explain your rights clearly and help ensure you’re treated fairly throughout.

For workers who don’t speak English as a first language, or who weren’t given proper instructions, that’s not your fault. If safety information was unclear, mistranslated, or rushed through, your employer is still responsible. Everyone is entitled to a safe workplace, regardless of background, nationality, or contract type.

At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’re here to make sure your rights aren’t just respected—they’re enforced. We’ll guide you through the process with care and clarity, and we’ll make sure you’re supported from the moment you call.

If you’re unsure whether your employer met their obligations, don’t guess. Contact us for a confidential chat—we’ll help you understand where you stand and what options are open to you.

Steps to Take After a Factory Accident

In the hours and days after a factory accident, everything can feel like a blur. You might be in pain, worried about work, or unsure what to do next. That’s completely normal. The good news is that you don’t need to have everything figured out to start getting help.

Here are some practical steps you can take—starting from wherever you are now:

  • Seek medical care right away, even if the injury seems minor. Your health comes first, and early treatment also creates a clear record of what happened.
  • Report the accident to your employer or supervisor.Ideally, this should be in writing. If you didn’t make a formal report at the time, don’t panic—it’s still worth speaking to us about your options.
  • Make a note of what happened.Include the date, time, and any details you remember—what you were doing, where it took place, and how the injury occurred.
  • Take photosof the accident site or any visible injuries, if safe to do so.
  • Get names of witnesseswho saw what happened or can confirm the conditions on the day.

But here’s what’s just as important: don’t let uncertainty hold you back. Many of our clients worried they hadn’t done things “by the book”—but we were still able to help them bring successful claims.

You don’t need a perfect timeline, you don’t need to confront your employer, and you definitely don’t need to handle it alone.

Even if you’re unsure whether you want to claim yet, speaking with us can help protect your position. We can advise you discreetly and help ensure nothing gets lost or overlooked. One simple conversation with John O’Leary Solicitors LLP could be the first step towards clarity and peace of mind.

Time Limits for Bringing a Factory Accident Claim

In Ireland, there’s a strict time limit for bringing a factory accident claim—two years minus one day from the date of the accident or the date you first became aware of your injury.

For many people, this is straightforward: the date of the injury is the same day the accident occurred. But for others, especially in cases involving gradual injuries (like back damage or chemical exposure), the clock starts when you first linked your symptoms to the workplace. That’s known as the “date of knowledge.”

There are some exceptions. For example, if the injured person is under 18, the two-year clock doesn’t start until their 18th birthday. A parent or guardian can bring a claim on their behalf sooner, which is often a better option while the incident is fresh and evidence is easier to gather.

It’s also worth knowing that once an application is made to the Injuries Board (the first formal step in most claims), the clock pauses while your case is being assessed.

Even if you think time has passed, don’t rule yourself out. We can quickly help you determine where you stand. Acting early gives your claim the best chance of success—and ensures no opportunity is missed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my accident happened because I was rushing to meet a target?

You may still be eligible to claim. If your employer set unrealistic productivity targets or created conditions that pressured you to cut corners, the system of work itself may be at fault. The law looks at the bigger picture—not just your split-second decisions.

I was injured using a machine I’d used safely before. Can I still claim?

Yes. If the machine wasn’t properly maintained, if a fault developed, or if safety features were removed or bypassed, your employer may still be liable. Past safe use doesn’t cancel out their ongoing duty to keep equipment in safe condition.

Do factory agency or contract workers have the same rights?

Absolutely. Even if you’re employed through an agency or on a fixed-term contract, you are still entitled to a safe working environment. Liability may sit with the factory, the agency, or both—our job is to investigate and make sure you’re protected.

What if no one witnessed my accident?

You can still bring a claim. Witnesses help, but they’re not essential. CCTV, accident reports, medical records, and even your own statement can form the basis of a strong case. We’ll help gather and assess the available evidence.

I didn’t report the accident on the day—does that matter?

Not necessarily. Delayed reporting is common, especially when injuries seem minor at first. As long as we can piece together reliable evidence and timelines, a valid claim may still be possible. The sooner you speak to us, the better.

My employer said I can’t claim if I signed a waiver. Is that true?

No. Signing a document doesn’t remove your legal right to a safe workplace. If you were injured due to negligence, a waiver or disclaimer won’t prevent a claim. Let us review what you signed—we’ll explain where you stand.

Do I need to prove the factory broke health and safety rules?

Not directly. You just need to show that the employer failed in their duty to provide a safe system of work. That might involve poor training, faulty machinery, or ignored hazards. We handle the legal arguments—you focus on recovery.

I speak limited English and didn’t understand the training—can I still claim?

Yes. Employers must ensure that training is clear and understood, regardless of language barriers. If you were injured because of poor communication or instructions you couldn’t follow, your employer can still be held responsible.

Contact John O’Leary Solicitors LLP Today

If you’ve been injured in a factory accident and want straightforward advice from a local solicitor who listens, we’re here for you. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, you’ll speak directly with someone who understands workplace injury claims—and understands your community.

We’ll explain things clearly, keep everything confidential, and help you take the next step with confidence—whether that means moving forward or simply getting clarity.

Call us today or send us a message.