Home & Public Injury Claims
You don’t expect to be injured walking through your local park, visiting someone’s home, or popping into a shop—but when something hasn’t been maintained properly, the risk is very real. A loose step, a broken path, or an unsecured fitting can cause more than just a stumble. And if it could have been avoided, it’s worth finding out what your options are.
At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’ve been helping people in Tallaght and across Dublin for over 20 years when accidents like this turn life upside down. We know the difference between a genuine accident and a situation where someone simply didn’t do what they should have. We keep things straightforward, and we take the time to do things properly.
If you’ve been injured at home, in a public place, or on someone else’s property, contact John O’Leary Solicitors LLP. We’ll help you make sense of what happened and what you can do next.
Common Types of Home & Public Injury Claims We See
Injuries that happen at home or in public places often follow a familiar pattern: something hasn’t been secured, maintained, or inspected properly, and someone gets hurt. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we regularly help individuals across Tallaght and Dublin deal with accidents like these. Below are some of the more common claim types we see.
Accidents in parks usually involve poorly maintained paths, raised or cracked paving, unsecured fencing, or hidden trip hazards around trees and grassy areas. Common examples include falls on uneven footpaths, ankle injuries caused by sunken surfaces, and collisions with poorly marked or damaged street furniture. When the council or another body has failed to maintain the space properly, and someone is injured as a result, a claim may be possible
Short-term rental properties must meet the same safety standards as any other residential letting. We’ve seen cases involving broken steps, exposed wiring, faulty showers, and poorly secured balconies. Where injuries happen during a stay and the fault lies with the condition of the property, the owner or letting agent may be held responsible.
Private homeowners owe a duty of care to people entering their property—visitors, neighbours, tradespeople, and invited guests. That includes stairs, garden paths, entrance steps, and interior surfaces. Injuries caused by cracked paving slabs, loose tiles, or unstable flooring may give rise to a claim if it can be shown the owner failed to maintain the area or ignored a known defect.
When children are injured in a public or school playground, the focus is usually on equipment failure, missing safety surfacing, or poor supervision. Common claims involve broken climbing frames, rusted swing sets, gaps in fencing, or hard landings caused by worn shock-absorbing material. Where the equipment wasn’t properly maintained or supervised, a claim may be appropriate.
We’ve handled cases involving sudden jolts, drop stops, and door closures in lifts, as well as trips and falls on escalators with misaligned steps or broken handrails. Shopping centres, supermarkets, and retail parks have a clear responsibility to maintain mechanical systems, warn of faults, and respond quickly when issues are reported.
From cracked bathroom tiles to loose banisters and unmarked changes in floor level, injuries in hotels often happen in areas guests are encouraged to walk through without thinking. Whether it’s a slip on a wet floor or a fall on poorly lit stairs, these incidents often stem from a failure to inspect and maintain guest spaces to a safe standard.
Claims involving cafés or restaurants tend to arise where drinks are served too hot, lids are loose, or staff spill food or beverages during service. We’ve also seen cases where customers are injured by faulty equipment (e.g. leaky teapots, unstable trays) or hot items placed too close to a child. The standard here is simple: food and drink must be served in a reasonably safe manner.
Injuries often happen when a customer sits on a faulty chair, uses an unstable table, or leans against a fixture that hasn’t been properly secured. These claims are common in pubs, event venues, and fast-food chains. The failure is usually mechanical (a loose bolt, cracked frame) or due to poor inspection routines.
Slippery floors, missing signage, loose tiles, and poorly monitored changing rooms are typical risk areas. In some cases, the issue lies in pool chemical balance, broken handrails, or cracked pool surrounds. Because these facilities are expected to carry out daily inspections, claims often focus on lapses in basic supervision or maintenance.
Footpath injuries frequently involve raised or sunken slabs, cracked concrete, or trip hazards near bus stops, shops, and schools. Where the defect is significant and the local authority or utility company had a fair chance to repair it, the injured person may have grounds to bring a claim.
Electric shocks in rented homes usually stem from damaged sockets, exposed wiring, or faulty fuse boards. If the landlord failed to maintain the electrical system—or ignored previous complaints—claims can often be brought for injuries including burns, muscle trauma, or cardiac symptoms. We see these cases most often in older rentals or subdivided houses.
Collapsing steps, loose handrails, or badly spaced spindles can lead to serious injuries, especially in narrow staircases or converted homes. These claims often involve tenants or visitors who fall due to poor construction or lack of repair. When a fall occurs because the structure gave way, the responsibility generally lies with whoever controls the property.
Each of these scenarios is different, but the legal question is often the same: could the injury have been prevented if someone had done their job properly? If you’ve experienced something similar, speak with a solicitor today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know exactly who owns the property to make a claim?
Not at the start. If you’ve been injured in a rented house, public park, shop, or apartment complex, your solicitor can identify the responsible party, be it a landlord, council, managing agent, or private owner. What matters most is proving that the person or organisation in control failed to keep the area safe.
What if I was partly at fault? Can I still bring a claim?
Yes. Many claims succeed even where the injured person had some share in what happened. For example, if you tripped on a loose tile while distracted, or slipped on a poorly maintained stair while carrying bags, your claim may still go ahead—though any compensation could be reduced to reflect your share of the blame.
Is there a difference between public and private property claims?
Yes, mainly in who you’re claiming against. Public property claims—like injuries in parks or on footpaths—usually involve local authorities or utility providers. Private claims involve homeowners, landlords, shops, or managing agents. The legal principles are similar, but how evidence is gathered and timeframes are handled may differ slightly.
What kind of evidence should I collect?
The strongest claims are supported by:
- Clear photos of the defect (e.g. broken step, exposed wiring, missing handrail)
- Medical records from A&E or your GP
- Written reports or complaints made at the time
- Witness contact details, if anyone saw what happened
- Receipts for expenses linked to the injury (e.g. taxis, crutches, medication)
You don’t need all of this to get started. But the more you have, the better.
How long will a claim take once it starts?
Most cases are submitted first to the Injuries Resolution Board. This process usually takes 6–9 months, though timelines vary. If the case moves beyond the Board, it may take longer, depending on whether liability is accepted or disputed. You’ll be kept informed throughout, and your solicitor will handle any legal steps on your behalf.
Can I claim on behalf of my child?
Yes. A parent or legal guardian can bring a claim for a child injured in a park, playground, home, or public place. The two-year time limit doesn’t start until the child’s 18th birthday, but it’s usually better to act sooner—while evidence is still available and the details are fresh.
What if I was injured in someone’s home? Will it affect our relationship?
It doesn’t have to. Claims against homeowners are almost always handled by their home insurance provider. If you were injured as a guest, tradesperson, or visitor, the issue is about making a fair recovery. A well-handled claim can stay professional from start to finish.
Is there a time limit to bring a claim?
Yes. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to submit your claim to the Injuries Resolution Board. There are exceptions for children and those who lack capacity, but outside of that, the deadline is firm. It’s always safer to act early.
Contact a Solicitor Who Handles Public and Domestic Injury Claims
If you’ve been injured in a public place or private property and think it could have been avoided, John O’Leary Solicitors LLP can help. With over 20 years’ experience in these claims, we’ll give you straightforward, local advice. Contact us today and take the next step while your evidence is still fresh.