Farming Accident Claims

Farming is more than just work—it’s a way of life. When an accident happens, the effects can ripple through your home, your family, and your future. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we understand that. For over 20 years, we’ve been helping people in Tallaght and across Dublin navigate difficult times with steady, local support and a calm, experienced hand.

We know the pressures that come with injury—especially when your work is physical, your time is precious, and everything depends on staying strong. Whether your accident involved machinery, livestock, vehicles, or something else on the farm, we’re here to help you make sense of what comes next.

Our team takes the time to explain things clearly. When you’re ready to talk, we’re here to listen. Contact John O’Leary Solicitors LLP today and speak with a trusted local team that’s always on your side.

Why Farm Accidents Are So Common in Ireland

If you’ve worked on or around a farm, you’ll know it’s no ordinary job. The hours are long, the work is physical, and things can change in an instant. One minute you’re fixing a gate—the next, something gives way. That’s the nature of farming. And sadly, it’s also why so many accidents happen.

Across Ireland, farming is still the most dangerous line of work. Every year, more lives are lost or changed forever on farms than in any other industry. The Health and Safety Authority’s own figures show that while farming only makes up a small portion of the workforce, it accounts for a huge number of workplace fatalities.

The reasons won’t surprise anyone who’s spent time on a farm. You’ve got heavy machinery, livestock that don’t always behave, and jobs that can’t wait—no matter the weather. Most farms are family-run, and it’s not unusual to see older farmers or younger helpers pitching in wherever they’re needed. But that mix of generations, pressure, and machinery means the risk of serious injury is never far away.

And when something does go wrong, it’s rarely just the person injured who suffers. It affects the whole family. Time off the land. Bills coming in. Uncertainty about the future.

At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we understand all of this—because we’ve been helping people in farming communities around Dublin for over 20 years. If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a farming accident, we’re here to help you figure out what comes next.

Common Types of Farm Accidents and Injuries

Farming work changes with the seasons, but the risks are always there. Whether you’re working with livestock, hauling bales, or doing repairs around the yard, accidents can happen fast—and the results can be serious. Below are some of the most common types of farming accidents we’ve seen in practice, along with the kinds of injuries they can lead to.

Machinery Accidents

Tractors, balers, mowers, quads, and PTO shafts are essential tools—but they can be deadly when something goes wrong. Injuries often happen during maintenance, cleaning, or when machinery is started without warning. Poor guarding, loose clothing, or even a moment’s distraction can cause life-altering harm.

Falls from Height

Sheds, barns, and silos all require upkeep, and working at height—especially without proper ladders, harnesses, or stable footing—can lead to falls. We’ve dealt with claims involving people falling through old roof sheets, slipping from ladders, or losing balance while stacking bales.

Livestock Injuries

Even experienced farmers can be caught off guard by cattle, bulls, or horses. Being knocked over, pinned against a gate, or trampled while calving or loading can cause broken bones, internal injuries, or worse. Children are especially vulnerable around large animals.

Slurry Pit and Chemical Hazards

Toxic gases from slurry pits can build up silently and become deadly in minutes. Falls into open tanks or exposure to chemicals like fertiliser or disinfectant can cause burns, respiratory damage, or poisoning. These incidents often happen with little or no warning.

Vehicle Accidents

Many farming injuries involve moving vehicles—whether it’s a quad flipping, a trailer tipping on uneven ground, or a collision on a narrow rural road. Visibility, fatigue, or faulty equipment often play a role.

Crush and Impact Injuries

Falling bales, collapsing sheds, or improperly secured loads can cause devastating crush injuries. Even small misjudgements when reversing or moving equipment can leave lasting damage.

Common injuries we see include:

  • Fractures and dislocations
  • Amputations
  • Spinal or head injuries
  • Deep lacerations
  • Burns and chemical exposure
  • Permanent disability or fatal injury

At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’ve supported individuals through all of these scenarios. We know the long road to recovery isn’t just physical—it’s emotional and financial too. If any of this sounds familiar, we’re here to help you take the next step.

Who Can Bring a Farming Accident Claim?

Farming accidents don’t just happen to full-time workers. We’ve seen cases involving all sorts of people—family members helping out, delivery drivers calling to the yard, or contractors doing one-off jobs. If you’ve been injured on a farm through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to bring a claim. The key is whether the injury could have been prevented if proper care had been taken.

1. Farm Workers

If you were working on the farm—whether full-time, part-time, seasonal, or even informally—you have rights. You don’t need a written contract to be protected by Irish health and safety laws. Employers must provide a safe working environment, proper training, and suitable equipment. If any of that was missing, you could have a valid claim.

2. Family Members and Visitors

We’ve helped people who were injured while visiting a farm, helping out casually, or just passing through. Landowners have a duty to make sure their property is safe for lawful visitors. That includes friends, neighbours, inspectors, delivery drivers—even children.

3. Children and Teenagers

Young people often spend time around farms, especially after school or during holidays. If a child is hurt because of unsafe equipment, poor supervision, or a dangerous area left unsecured, parents or guardians can bring a claim on their behalf.

4. Bereaved Families

If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal farm accident, we know there’s no amount of money that can undo the loss. But a claim can help provide financial stability and hold the responsible party to account. Families may be able to bring a dependency claim under Irish law.

Legal Responsibilities on Irish Farms

Farming may be a way of life, but it’s still a workplace—and like any workplace, there are legal responsibilities when it comes to safety. Whether you’re an employer, a landowner, or both, Irish law sets out clear duties to help prevent serious accidents. When these duties are ignored, and someone gets hurt, a legal claim may follow.

Employer’s Duty of Care

If someone is working for you—formally or informally—you’re expected to take reasonable steps to protect their safety. This isn’t just good practice; it’s required under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. That means:

  • Providing proper training in how to handle machinery, livestock, and chemicals
  • Supplying and maintaining personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Making sure all tools and equipment are in good working order
  • Supervising workers, especially those who are new, young, or unfamiliar with certain tasks
  • Carrying out risk assessments and acting on the findings

This duty applies whether your worker is full-time, part-time, a casual hand, or even a neighbour helping out for a few hours. You don’t need a formal employment contract for this duty to exist. What matters is whether there was a working relationship.

Occupier’s Liability

Even if someone isn’t working for you—say a visitor, delivery driver, inspector, or family member—you may still owe them a duty of care. That’s where occupiers’ liability comes in.

Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1995, anyone who controls the land (usually the farmer or landowner) must take reasonable steps to keep visitors safe. That means securing dangerous areas, fencing off slurry pits, maintaining pathways, and making sure people aren’t exposed to unnecessary risks.

This responsibility applies to children too, who are often around farms but may not understand the dangers. Leaving machinery running, gates open, or hazardous areas accessible can all give rise to a claim if someone gets hurt.

When These Duties Are Breached

Sadly, not every farm lives up to these responsibilities. We’ve seen cases where:

  • Machinery was used without proper guarding or shut-off systems
  • A roof collapsed during repair work because it hadn’t been checked for safety
  • A gate wasn’t secured properly, leading to a livestock crush injury
  • Slurry pits were left uncovered, leading to a fatal fall
  • No training or PPE was provided before asking someone to operate machinery

These aren’t just accidents—they’re failures to take reasonable care. And when those failures lead to serious injury or death, the law provides a path for justice.

If you’re not sure whether someone failed in their duty, talk to us. We’ll help you make sense of what happened—and what your next steps could be.

What to Do After a Farm Accident in Ireland

When you’re injured on a farm, everything moves quickly—except your recovery. You might be in shock, trying to keep working, or unsure if you even want to make a fuss. But the steps you take early on can make all the difference later. Here’s what we recommend if you or someone close to you has been hurt:

  • Get Medical Help Immediately: Don’t try to walk it off. Whether it’s a broken bone or a blow to the head, get checked by a doctor. This protects your health—and it creates a medical record of the injury.
  • Tell the Farm Owner or Employer: Make sure the person in charge knows about the accident. If you were working at the time, this is especially important. Keep a note of when and how you reported it.
  • Document What Happened: If you’re able to, take photos of the area, equipment, animals, or hazards involved. Write down what happened in your own words while it’s still fresh. If anyone saw the accident, ask for their name and number.
  • Hold On to Any Records: Hospital bills, GP letters, receipts, missed workdays—keep everything. These can help show the full impact of your injury later on.
  • Speak to a Solicitor Early: You don’t need to decide anything straight away—but having a chat with a local solicitor can give you clarity. We’ll explain your rights in plain English, and if you’re not sure whether you want to claim, that’s okay too. The important thing is that you understand your options.

Challenges in Farm Accident Claims—And How We Help

Bringing a claim after a farm accident isn’t always straightforward. Even when the injury is serious and the facts seem clear, there are common challenges that can hold people back—or cause claims to fail if they’re not handled properly. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’ve guided people through these hurdles with care, respect, and quiet determination.

Fault Is Often Denied

Farming environments are rarely documented the way factories or offices are. There might be no safety records, no formal training logs, no written contracts. That can make it easy for employers or landowners to say, “It wasn’t our fault” or “They should have known the risk.” We work to gather the evidence—photos, witness accounts, expert reports—to show what really happened and whether basic safety steps were missed.

Guilt or Pressure Not to Claim

This is more common than people realise. In small communities, it’s not unusual to feel reluctant about taking legal action—especially if the person at fault is a neighbour, employer, or relative. But you’re not claiming against them personally. In most cases, it’s an insurance policy that pays out—not the person who owns the land or runs the farm. We handle your claim quietly and professionally, with your privacy and peace of mind in focus.

Insurance Companies Pushing Back

Once a claim is made, insurers often push hard to minimise their payout. They may delay, deny, or argue that the injury isn’t as serious as it seems. They may try to settle quickly, before you know the long-term effects. That’s where we step in. We manage the back-and-forth, deal with the insurers directly, and make sure your rights—and your future—are protected.

These are tough conversations. But you don’t have to face them alone. We’ll handle the legal side with confidence and care—so you can focus on getting better.

Farming Accidents and Migrant Workers

Many of the people who keep Irish farms running day to day aren’t from here—but they still have every right to safety and fair treatment. Whether you’ve come from Eastern Europe, South America, or anywhere else, if you were injured while working on a farm in Ireland, the law protects you just the same.

Sadly, we’ve seen migrant workers placed in risky situations—using dangerous equipment without proper training, handling livestock without support, or working long hours in unsafe conditions. Sometimes language barriers mean people aren’t told how to stay safe. Sometimes they’re simply afraid to speak up.

You don’t need to be an Irish citizen to make a claim. You don’t need perfect English. And you certainly don’t need to feel powerless. If you were hurt on a farm, we’ll take the time to explain everything clearly—step by step—so you understand your rights and your options.

At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we treat every client with respect and dignity, no matter where they come from. You’ve worked hard. If you’ve been injured, we’ll work just as hard to make sure you get the support and justice you deserve.

Time Limits for Farm Accident Claims

If you’re thinking about making a claim after a farming accident, time matters. In most personal injury cases in Ireland, you have two years from the date of the accident to begin legal proceedings. This is known as the statute of limitations.

In some cases, that clock starts from the moment you realise the injury is serious—not necessarily the day it happened. That can be important if the effects didn’t show up right away.

For children under 18, the rules are different. The two-year time limit doesn’t begin until their 18th birthday, giving parents or guardians more time to bring a claim on their behalf. If the accident was fatal, the two-year window starts from the date of death—or in some situations, from the date of a post-mortem or inquest.

It’s always best to get legal advice as early as possible. Waiting too long can make it harder to gather evidence, find witnesses, or trace documents. And once the deadline passes, you may lose the right to claim altogether.

If you’re unsure about how much time you have, we’re happy to help. A quick consultation can bring real clarity—and might protect your future more than you realise.

Speak with a Local Solicitor Who Understands Your World

If you’ve been injured on a farm, or lost someone close to you, get in touch with us. We’ve been helping people in Tallaght and across Dublin for over 20 years. We’ll explain your options and handle everything with care, discretion, and respect.