Personal injuries

CHANGES TO THE CIVIL LIABILITY ACT IN RELATION TO PERSONAL INJURY CASES*

Posted on by Luke Hanahoe
Civil Liability -Warning Letter

Changes to the Civil Liability Act in Relation to Personal Injury Cases*

If you have been involved in an accident it is important that you realise that from the 28th January 2019 there have been amendments to Section 8 of the Civil Liability Act, 2004 regarding the obligations of the injured party to notify the wrongdoer that they intend to bring a personal injuries claim.  Prior to January 2019 the injured party had two months to notify the wrongdoer of their intention to bring an action.  This has now been reduced to one month.

Civil Liability and Failure to Provide Letter of Claim

It should further be noted that if the injured party fails to do this within one month and the matter proceeds to hearing the Judge shall draw such inferences from the failure to provide the letter of claim in this time as appears appropriate to the Court.  If the Judge finds that this failure was inappropriate they can penalise the Plaintiff as to costs.

Civil Liability Act and the Statute of Limitations

It is important that people note however that not issuing such a letter within a one month time period of the accident is not a barrier to bringing a claim for personal injuries and that the Statute of Limitations for bringing a claim for personal injuries is two years minus one day from the date of the date of knowledge. The Statute of Limitations is discussed in great detail in our previous blog ‘The Statute of Limitations and Time Limits for Bringing a Personal Injury Claim’.  The purpose of this amendment to the legislation is as a counter mechanism to fraudulent and exaggerated claims.  So just because you fail to issue a letter of claim within a one month period does not mean the Judge will penalise the injured party, it just means it is open to them to do so if they feel it is appropriate.

 

Personal Injury and Medical Negligence Specialist
Awarding Solicitors, Specialising in Personal Injury Law*

Hanahoe and Hanahoe Solicitors LLP Experts in Personal Injury Law

For further information on the Civil Liability Act or indeed any aspect of personal injury or accident law, please do not hesitate to contact Hanahoe and Hanahoe Solicitors on 045-897784 (Naas Office) or on  01-5255637 (Dublin office) or info@hanahoeandhanahoe.com, on LinkedIn or Facebook

This article is merely for information purposes and is not and should not be taken as legal advice. No solicitor/client relationship or duty of care or liability of any nature exists between Hanahoe and Hanahoe solicitors, until you receive written confirmation that we are acting as solicitors on your behalf.

 

 

*In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

Book of Quantum, a Personal Injury* Compensation Guide

Posted on by Luke Hanahoe
Book of Quantum

Book of Quantum, a Personal Injury* Compensation Guide

The Book of Quantum was created by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board in 2003, to provide people with general guidelines on how much compensation they should be awarded if they have been injured in an accident, caused by the negligence of someone else. The Book of Quantum was last revised in 2016 and the current guidelines can be accessed here. The Book is compiled by assessing a large number of sample personal injury cases which have been litigated before the courts. The book is based on personal injury cases brought in 2013 and 2014. This is a very important consideration when trying to assess the value of a personal injury claim in today’s climate.

Book of Quantum and Personal Injury* Guidelines Committee

There has been significant pressure from the insurance industry, some business groups and certain portions of the media to decrease the amount of compensation being warded by the Courts in personal injury cases, particularly in soft tissue type cases. This has resulted in the Judicial Counsel Act being passed in 2019. The goal of this act was to establish a Judicial Counsel which would facilitate the education and training of judges, provide a mechanism for investigating complaints against judges and establish sentencing guidelines and guidelines with respect to the awarding of damages in personal injury claims. This is seen in the establishment of the Personal Injury Guidelines Committee which is to be chaired by the Honorable Judge Irvine.

Book of Quantum and the Reduction in Damages in Personal Injury Cases*

On foot of a couple of notable decisions on the Court of Appeal, the awards been granted in personal injury cases have significantly reduced in the last eighteen months. This coupled with the establishment of the new Personal Injury Guidelines Committee, would lead one to wonder whether the Book of Quantum can still be considered an accurate guide when valuing personal injury actions. Indeed, reference to this has been made by a number of High Court judges in recent times. That said, the Book of Quantum was only ever designed as a guide and is still useful for that purpose, even if you have to allow for a considerable discount when assessing the valued of a case.

Personal Injury and Medical Negligence Specialist
Awarding Solicitors, Specialising in Personal Injury Law*

Seek Advice from a Solicitor who Specialises in Personal Injury Law.*

If anything, the current climate underlines the necessity of getting good legal advice from a solicitor who specialises in personal injury law, when bringing a personal injury claim. For further information on the Book of Quantum or indeed any aspect of personal injury or accident law, please do not hesitate to contact Hanahoe and Hanahoe Solicitors on 045-897784 (Naas Office) or on  01-5255637 (Dublin office) or info@hanahoeandhanahoe.com, on LinkedIn or Facebook

This article is merely for information purposes and is not and should not be taken as legal advice. No solicitor/client relationship or duty of care or liability of any nature exists between Hanahoe and Hanahoe solicitors, until you receive written confirmation that we are acting as solicitors on your behalf.

 

*In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

 

 

Can I be fired for making a personal injury* claim against my employer?

Posted on by Luke Hanahoe
fire personal injury calim

Can I be fired for making a personal injury* claim against my employer?

The Unfair Dismissal Act 1977

The short answer to this question is no. Section 6 (c) of the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 precludes employers from dismissing employees who take a personal injury action or indeed any claim against them. As the section states  an employee will be unfairly dismissed if they are fired  for “civil proceedings whether actual, threatened or proposed against the employer to which the employee is or will be a party to or in which the employee was or is likely to be a witness.” Therefore if you were dismissed for bringing a personal injury action against your employer you will be able to bring a separate claim against your employer for unfair dismissal. The Legislative remedies for successfully unfair dismissal claims are:

  • reinstatement, meaning that you would be treated as if you had never been dismissed and that you would be entitled to recover your loss of earnings from the date of your dismissal to the date of your return to work; or
  • compensation of up to a maximum of the equivalent of two years’ pay.

Even more concerning for the employer is that you could potentially bring an injunction preventing your dismissal.

Employers Obligations Under Statute

Employers have both a common-law and statutory obligation to provide their employees with both a safe system and place of work. This obligation was further enshrined in legislation in the The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005. This act obliges employers to do everything that is reasonably practicable to ensure the safety, welfare and health of their employees.

If an employee is injured in an accident* at work, because their employer has failed to take all reasonable steps to ensure their safety, they are entitled to bring a personal injury* action to seek compensation for their injuries. The employer cannot fire the employee because the employer has failed to meet their common-law and statutory obligations.

Award Winning Solicitors

An Unlikely Occurrence

 

 

Given the strong protections workers are given under Irish employment legislation it is nearly unheard of for an employee to be fired for bringing a personal injury action. In the last 15 years it has only happened once to client of our office and in that case the employers had to pay compensation for the unfair dismissal and separately for our clients personal injury action.

For More Information Please Feel Free to Contact US

For further information in relation to accidents work or indeed any aspect of personal injury*, please do not hesitate to contact Hanahoe and Hanahoe solicitors on 045 897784 (Naas Office) or on  015255637 (Dublin office) or at info@hanahoeandhanahoe.com or on Facebook

This article is merely for information purposes and is not and should not be taken as legal advice. If you have any queries in relation to this or any other aspect of personal injury* you should consult with a solicitor who specialises in personal injury law*. No solicitor/client relationship or duty of care or liability of any nature exists between Hanahoe and Hanahoe solicitors, until you receive written confirmation that we are acting as solicitors on your behalf.

 

*In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

Spinal cord injuries suffered by three people in Ireland a week

Posted on by Luke Hanahoe
Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries suffered by three people in Ireland a week

Research recently publish by Eimear Smith of the Mater Hospital shows that an average of three people a week sustain life-changing spinal cord injuries in Ireland. The research shows the cause of these injuries is either the result of degenerative disease (referred to as non-traumatic injury) or accidents* (referred to as traumatic injuries)

Award Winning Solicitors

Traumatic and Non-Traumatic Injuries

By far the most common cause of traumatic injury are accidental falls accounting for 55% of spinal cord injuries with partial paralysis the most common outcome. Road traffic accidents are the crashes are the next most common cause accounting for almost one-in-five traumatic spinal injuries. While accidental sporting injuries for more than one-in-ten. Males account for the majority of traumatic spinal cord injuries, with 72% of people suffering these horrific injuries being men. Non-traumatic injury occurs as a result of degenerative spinal diseases or secondary cancers affecting the spinal cord.

The research also shows that 40% of people who suffer from spinal cord injuries will walk again. However people are able to walk again are more likely to suffer from mental illness and 22% more likely to be living below the poverty line than those in a wheelchair. It also highlights the disgraceful situation currently pertaining in Ireland were people who sustain spinal cord injuries are not automatically entitled to a medical card

 

Spinal Injury Ireland’s Strategic Plan

The research underpins a new strategic plan for Spinal Injuries Ireland to provide one-to-one support to people with such horrific injuries. However Spinal Injuries Ireland’s resources are already under  huge pressure and this research indicates that the number of people using their services will increase from 2100 to 3600 by 2023. With Spinal Injuries Ireland only receiving 40% of their operational funding from the state this would mean they would need to increase their annual fundraising form €600,000 to €1.4 million.

Contact Us

Given the serious and life altering consequence of spinal cord injuries you should seek the advice of a  solicitor if you are a loved one has suffered in such traumatic accident. For further information in relation to spinal cord injuries or speak to one of our expert personal injury* solicitors, please do not hesitate to contact Hanahoe and Hanahoe solicitors on 045 897784 (Naas Office) or on  015255637 (Dublin office) or at info@hanahoeandhanahoe.com or on Facebook

This article is merely for information purposes and is not and should not be taken as legal advice. If you have any queries in relation to this or any other aspect of personal injury* you should consult with a solicitor who specialises in personal injury law*. No solicitor/client relationship or duty of care or liability of any nature exists between Hanahoe and Hanahoe solicitors and you, until you receive written confirmation that we are acting as solicitors on your behalf

*In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

 

 

Compensation for Victims of Workplace Robberies

Posted on by Luke Hanahoe
Image of robbery

Hanahoe and Hanahoe Solicitors LLPThe victims of workplace robberies can often suffer horrendous physical and psychological injuries injuries. Compensation for victims of work places robberies can be achieved in two ways. The first is the victim can make a claim under the ‘Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries* Criminally Inflicted’. The second is they can bring a Personal Injury Action*.

‘Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries* Criminally Inflicted’. The second is they can bring a Personal Injury Action*.

 

There are two major problems we see with bringing a claim under the ‘Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries* Criminally Inflicted’. The first is that the time limits are very tight. Three months form the date of the crime, save in exceptional circumstances. Secondly the scheme only pays the victims their out of pocket expenses and does not compensate them for the injuries they sustained. Further information on this scheme can be found  https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/victims_of_crime/victims_and_compensation.html

Personal Injury Actions*

If you are seeking compensation for the injuries you sustained you need to bring a personal injury action. At Hanahoe and Hanahoe solicitors we have acted for a numerous employees who were victims in robberies. Often these clients suffer serious psychological and physical injuries. Thankfully in our experience the physical injuries victim’s suffer then to be relatively minor, however the psychological injuries can be long lasting.

The difficulty with these cases is who do you bring your personal injury action against? Invariable there is very little point in bringing a case against the perpetrator of the crime, as they will not be a mark for damages. This then raises the interesting question of whether employers are liable for injuries sustained by their employees as a result of the criminal activity of a third party.

Employers Obligations

Employers have a statutory duty to provide their employees with a safe place of work and while they cannot always prevent crimes from taking place there are certain actions and precautions they should take to ensure the safety of their employees. Employers should:

  1. If appropriate provide proper security staff
  2. Have a working CCTV and/or security system in place
  3. Ensure staff are trained so they know what to do in a robbery type situation
  4. Ensure that staff are not left alone at their place of work

What should you do if you have sustained injuries in a robbery

If you have been the victim of a robbery at work you should:

  1. Immediately report the matter to an Garda Siochana
  2. Advise your employer of the incident and fill out an incident report form
  3. If you have suffered either physically or psychologically injures you should go and see your Doctor immediately
  4. Speak to a solicitor who specialise in Personal Injury Law*

For further information please do not hesitate to contact Hanahoe and Hanahoe solicitors at our Naas Office on 045 897784 or at or Dublin office at 015255637 or at info@hanahoeandhanahoe.com or on our facebook page 

For further information on work place accidents* on our main website.

This article is merely for information purposes and is not and should not be taken as legal advice. If you have any queries in relation to this or any other aspect of personal injury law,* you should contact us. No solicitor/client relationship or duty of care or liability of any nature exists between Hanahoe and Hanahoe solicitors and you, until you receive written confirmation that we are acting as solicitors on your behalf.

*In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

 

 

 

Roszczenia związane z nadmiernym podnoszeniem w miejscu pracy *

Posted on by Luke Hanahoe
Man lifting in warehouse

My w kancelarii „Hanahoe i Hanahoe” jesteśmy specjalistami w zakresie odszkodowań za szkody osobowe* i z powodzeniem reprezentowaliśmy już ogromną liczbę pracowników, którzy doznali poważnych obrażeń w wyniku nadmiernego i nieuzasadnionego podnoszenia, wymaganego w pracy. Nasi klienci często poddawani są dużej presji czasu oraz otrzymują zadania nierealne do wykonania i nie są w stanie wykonać wymaganego od nich podnoszenia w bezpieczny sposób. Takie warunki mogą prowadzić do poważnych urazów kręgosłupa. Obrażenia te mogą być wynikiem jednorazowego wypadku lub powtarzających się obrażeń wywołanych napięciem spowodowanym podnoszeniem o charakterze ciągłym, do wykonywania którego pracownik jest zobowiązany.

Zgodnie z Ustawą o Bezpieczeństwie, Zdrowiu i Opiece Społecznej z 2005 r. pracodawcy mają obowiązek zapewnić swoim pracownikom bezpieczny system pracy oraz odpowiednie instrukcje, szkolenia i nadzór tak, aby ich pracownicy mogli bezpiecznie wykonywać swoją pracę. Większość pracodawców zapewnia swoim pracownikom szkolenia, lecz często mają one formę prostego ćwiczenia pisemnego polegającego na zaznaczeniu odpowiedniego pola lub też kładą nacisk na to, aby ich pracownicy wykonywali nierozsądne zadania,co prowadzi do tego, że nie mogą oni postępować zgodnie z wytycznymi szkolenia, które otrzymują.

W wielu przypadkach szkolenie, jakie otrzymują pracownicy, jest zupełnie nieadekwatne i nie ma związku z zadaniami, których wykonania wymaga się od nich w miejscu pracy. Zgodnie z art. 10 Ustawy o Bezpieczeństwie, Zdrowiu i Opiece Społecznej z 2005 r. pracodawca zobowiązany jest do zapewnienia szkoleń i instrukcji dotyczących określonego zadania, które pracownik ma wykonać. Pokazanie, jak podnosić karton, nie jest odpowiednim szkoleniem, jeżeli na hali fabrycznej wymagane jest podnoszenie ciężarów o znacznie różniącej się wielkości i opisie. Ważne jest również, aby szkolenia były prowadzone w języku zrozumiałym dla pracowników oraz aby pracownicy mogli zadawać pytania i byli zachęcani do zadawania pytań dotyczących dowolnego obszaru, którego nie rozumieją.

Co powinienem zrobić, jeżeli doznałem obrażeń z powodu nadmiernego podnoszenia, które muszę wykonywać w pracy?

1. Zgłoś swojemu pracodawcy incydent, który spowodował uraz.

2. Uzyskaj natychmiastową pomoc medyczną od swojego lekarza rodzinnego. Być może
będziesz musiał udać się do lekarza zakładowego, ale zanim to zrobisz, powinieneś
zasięgnąć porady.

3. Zanotuj, co się stało, wyszczególniając to, co podnosiłeś, gdy doznałeś urazu, gdzie
odnosiłeś, skąd i dokąd, i jaką ten ciężar miał wagę.

4. Jeśli są świadkowie zdarzenia, zapisz ich dane i, jeśli to konieczne, wykonuj zdjęcia.

5. Powinieneś skontaktować się z naszym biurem, aby umówić się na konsultację.

Często zadawane pytania

1. Czy mogę zostać zwolniony z pracy lub ukarany za wzięcie udziału w sprawie przeciwko mojemu pracodawcy o obrażenia ciała?
Krótka odpowiedź brzmi: NIE. Więcej informacji można znaleźć na naszym blogu.

2. Czy mogę zostać zwolniony za podanie pracodawcy o odszkodowanie powypadkowe w pracy? Krótka odpowiedż brzmi: NIE. Aby uzyskać więcej informacji, odwiedź nasz blog lub skontaktuj się z nami: 04587784 lub 015255637.

1. Czy będę mógł uzyskać poradę w języku polskim w kancelarii ‘Hanahoe i Hanahoe’?
Tak, mamy w biurze polskiego doradcę.

2. Czy będę musiał zapłacić za konsultację?
Nie. Hanahoe i Hanahoe chętnie doradzają wszystkim klientom, którzy doświadczyli obrażeń ciała. Pobieramy opłaty tylko wtedy, gdy twoja sprawa zostanie wygrana. Udzielimy również szczegółowych informacji podczas wstępnych konsultacji oraz w naszej wstępnej korespondencji na temat obowiązujących opłat.

W celu uzyskania dalszych informacji prosimy o kontakt z radcami kancelarii „Hanahoe i Hanahoe” w naszym biurze w Naas pod numerem 045 897784 lub w biurze w Dublinie pod numerem 015255637 lub pod adresem info@hanahoeandhanahoe.com

Ten artykuł służy jedynie do celów informacyjnych i nie jest, i nie powinien być traktowany jako porada prawna. Jeśli masz jakiekolwiek pytania dotyczące tego lub innego aspektu obrażeń ciała, skontaktuj się z nami. Nie ma żadnej relacji typu adwokat i klient, ani żadnej odpowiedzialności pomiędzy kancelarią prawną ‘Hanahoe i Hanahoe’ a tobą, dopóki nie otrzymasz pisemnego potwierdzenia, że działamy jako prawnicy w twoim imieniu.

* W sprawach spornych adwokat nie może wymagać honorarium ani pobierać dodatkowych opłat będących procentem bądż częścią jakiejkolwiek nagrody lub ugody.

Ile powinienem podnosić w pracy i co uważam za nadmierne?

Posted on by Luke Hanahoe
Spinal injury image

Ile powinienem podnosić w pracy i co uważam za nadmierne?

Adwokaci „Hanahoe i Hanahoe” są specjalistami w zakresie odszkodowań osobistych *. Przez lata z powodzeniem reprezentowaliśmy ogromną liczbę pracowników, którzy odnieśli poważne obrażenia w wyniku nadmiernego i nieuzasadnionego podnoszenia wymaganego w pracy. Co to jest nadmierne podnoszenie i jakie są racjonalne wymagania co do podnoszenia w pracy?

Większość pracowników przechodzi obecnie szkolenia w zakresie obsługi manualnej. Jednak często szkolenia te są nieodpowiednie lub ignorowane czy też niemożliwe do przeprowadzenia ze względu na obowiązki, jakie pracownicy muszą wykonywać w pracy.
W broszurze wydanej przez organ promujący zdrowie i bezpieczeństwo wydanej w 2005 r. “Wytyczne dotyczące zarządzania wykonywaniem czynności manualnych w miejscu pracy” wyraźnie określono zalecenia dotyczące wagi ciężarów, których mężczyźni i kobiety powinni z uzasadnionych powodów oczekiwać pracy. W przewodniku tym zaleca się, że mężczyźni powinni podnosić nie więcej niż 10 kg powyżej wysokości ramion. Na wysokości łokcia limit wynosi 25 kg. Limity te dotyczą tylko sytuacji, gdy jesteś w stanie podnieść przedmiot blisko ciała. Jeśli podczas podnoszenia musisz wyciągnąć ręce, powinieneś podnosić tylko 5 kg powyżej wysokości ramion i 15 kg na wysokości łokci. Wytyczne dla kobiet wynoszą 7 kg na wysokości ramion (3 kg, gdy ramiona są rozciągnięte) i 13 kg na wysokości łokci (7 kg, jeśli ramiona są rozciągnięte).
Podnoszenie ciężarów nad głową nie jest w ogóle uwzględniane przez przewodnik, ponieważ ryzyko spowodowania obrażeń przez pracownika jest uważane za zbyt duże. Zauważono również, że częste lub długotrwałe podnoszenie powyżej wysokości ramion jest szczególnie niebezpieczne. Przewodnik zaleca, aby pracownicy, którzy wykonują taką pracę, mieli częste przerwy na odpoczynek, a tempo pracy, do jakiego są zobowiązani, nie powinno być nadmierne.

Niestety, te wytyczne często są nie przestrzegane przez pracodawców i spotykamy wielu klientów, którzy odnieśli poważne obrażenia kręgosłupa w wyniku nadmiernego podnoszenia wymaganego w miejscu pracy.

W celu uzyskania dalszych informacji prosimy o kontakt z radcami „Hanahoe i Hanahoe” w naszym biurze w Naas pod numerem 045 897784 lub w biurze w Dublinie pod numerem 015255637 lub pod adresem info@hanahoeandhanahoe.com

Ten artykuł służy jedynie do celów informacyjnych i nie jest, i nie powinien być traktowany jako porada prawna. Jeśli masz jakiekolwiek pytania dotyczące tego lub innego aspektu obrażeń ciała, skontaktuj się z nami. Nie ma żadnej relacji typu adwokat i klient, ani żadnej odpowiedzialności pomiędzy kancelarią prawną ‘Hanahoe i Hanahoe’ a tobą, dopóki nie otrzymasz pisemnego potwierdzenia, że działamy jako prawnicy w twoim imieniu.

* W sprawach spornych adwokat nie może wymagać honorarium ani pobierać dodatkowych opłat będących procentem bądż częścią jakiejkolwiek nagrody lub ugody.

5 Things you should not to do if you have been involved in an accident at work where you have sustained personal injuries.*

Posted on by Luke Hanahoe

Being involved in an accident where you have sustained personal injuries* can be very traumatic and stressful. This stress can be heightened if the accident happened at work, particularly if you are worried about the implications it may have on your employment or if you are put under pressure from your employer. If you have been involved in such an accident and you have sustained injuries* you should follow the below instructions:

 

  1. Never admit liability (ie. do not say that the accident was your fault);
  2. Never sign anything in relation to the accident, without consulting with a solicitor who specialises in personal injuries* law;
  3. Where possible do not attend the company doctor, attend your own medical practitioner. If you do attend the company doctor, ensure that you are doing so in your private capacity. It is important that you also ensure that none of your personal information is released to your employer or their insurance company;
  4. Never speak to your employer’s insurance company without consulting with a solicitor who specialises in personal injury* law;
  5. Never ever enter into settlement negotiations without consulting with a solicitor who specialises in personal injury* law. In the early aftermath of an accident, it is very hard to know how badly you have been injured or what medical treatment you may require in the future. It is therefore for very difficult to know what your claim is worth. Insurance companies will often try to settle claims early in order to limit their exposure;

 

For further information in relation to an accident at work or indeed any aspect of personal injury* law, please do not hesitate to contact Hanahoe and Hanahoe solicitors on 045 897784 or at info@hanahoeandhanahoe.com.

 

This article is merely for information purposes and is not and should not be taken as legal advice. If you have any queries in relation to this or any other aspect of personal injury* law, you should contact us. No solicitor/client relationship or duty of care or liability of any nature exists between you and Hanahoe and Hanahoe solicitors, until you receive written confirmation that we are acting as solicitors on your behalf.

 

*In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

5 things you should do if you have suffered personal injuries* as a result of an accident at work.

Posted on by Luke Hanahoe

Being involved in an accident, especially one where you have sustained personal injuries* can be very stressful. If the accident happened at work it can be very difficult to know what to do, especially if you are worried about the implications it may have on your employment. This is particularly important if you have been employed for less than twelve months. If you’ve been involved in such an accident and you have been injured*, here are some tips about what you should do:

 

  1. Provided that your injuries* are not of such a serious nature that you are unable to do so, you should immediately report the accident to your employer.
  2. You should take a note of any witnesses to the accident and where possible obtain their contact details.
  3. You should try to ascertain whether the area where the accident occurred is covered by CCTV Footage.
  4. Regardless of whether you believe your injuries* are significant or not, you should contact your medical practitioner.
  5. If you have sustained injuries* in the accident and you want advice, you should consult with a solicitor who specialises in personal injury* and employment law.

 

 

For further information in relation to accidents at work or indeed any aspect of personal injury* or employment law, please do not hesitate to contact Hanahoe and Hanahoe solicitors on 045 897784 or at info@hanahoeandhanahoe.com.

 

This article is merely for information purposes and is not and should not be taken as legal advice. If you have any queries in relation to this or any other aspect of personal injury* or employment law, you should contact us. No solicitor/client relationship or duty of care or liability of any nature exists between you and Hanahoe & Hanahoe solicitors, until you receive written confirmation that we are acting as solicitors on your behalf.

 

 

*In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

 

Can I bring a personal Injury* claim if I have been attacked by a dog?

Posted on by Luke Hanahoe

Dog attacks can cause serious personal injuries* and, in many cases, can also result in the victim suffering serious psychological injuries.

Such attacks have been legislated for under Section 21 of the Control of Dogs Act 1986. This section provides that the owner of the dog shall be liable for the personal injuries* caused in an attack on any person by the dog. It is not necessary for the person bringing the personal injuries* claim to show that the dog had a previous mischievous propensity, or indeed to show that such injury was attributable to neglect on the part of the owner.

Such attacks are generally covered by the owner’s household insurance. However, it is not necessary for the attack to take place on the owner’s property. Therefore, if you have suffered personal injuries* as a result of an attack which happened outside of the owner’s property, the owner’s insurers are still liable to compensate you for the personal injuries* caused.

If you have suffered personal injuries* as a result of a dog attack, you should immediately do the following:

  1. Seek medical attention;
  2. Report the incident to the Gardaí;
  3. Attempt to identify the owners of the dog and report the incident to them;
  4. At the earliest possible opportunity consult with a solicitor who specialises in personal injury* law.

DSCF4521For further information in relation to personal injuries* caused by a dog attack or indeed any aspect of personal injury* law, please do not hesitate to contact Hanahoe and Hanahoe solicitors on 045 897784 or at info@hanahoeandhanahoe.com.

This article is merely for information purposes and is not and should not be taken as legal advice. If you have any queries in relation to this or any other aspect of personal injury* law, you should consult with a solicitor who specialises in personal injury* law. No solicitor/client relationship or duty of care or liability of any nature exists between you and Hanahoe and Hanahoe solicitors until you receive written confirmation that we are acting as solicitors on your behalf.

*In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.