Personal Injury Claim

Ara1985

I am UK citizen, I work for a company that requires me to travel to Ireland occasionally. 2 months ago I slipped down the stairs of a restaurant in Dublin, I fell onto my back causing injuries to spine and hip. I was off work for 3 weeks and I am still unable to sit in the car for long periods, go to the gym or do any physical activity’s that I used to. I also have trouble sleeping due to the injuries. I was taken to hospital at the time by ambulance and given X-rays. I have also been back to my GP because my injuries hadn’t improved.

The steps I fell down were polished wood. They did have small black tread about half an inch? from the edge of the step but there wasn’t any nosing covering the edges, this was the part my foot slipped off. I was wearing thick soles military boot type at the time.

I am considering making a personal injury claim through the injuries board in Ireland if my injuries have not improved within 6 months. I would like to know if A) being a UK not Irish citizens I can claim through the board or I should do it from the UK and If I stand a chance of holding the restaurant liable?

lisyloo

Was there a hand rail? One side or both?
We’re you holding it?

Ara1985

There was a handrail on one side for certain and I was holding onto it but I fell too rapidly to be able to keep myself up

Satansallsmiles

Simple - You can claim against an Irish company as a UK citizen. Were the restaurant made aware of your accident at the time? The simplest way to proceed would be to write to the restaurant and state you are considering making a claim from them for your injuries and see what their response is - Make sure to request details of their insurance company.


I would note that Ireland is if anything an even more litigious environment than the UK, so there is a good chance of getting your loss of earnings recovered at the least.


You'd then need to decide whether to appoint a solicitor and whether to do so in Ireland or the UK.

Ara1985

Yes they were made aware, they called the ambulance and contacted my colleague after the incident so I assume they had all the details recorded.

lisyloo

I would be checking the travel insurance for your employers legal cover (assuming you’re an employee).

They may have legal cover and may also have a personal accident section.

Rainbowgirl84

When you travelled abroad did you take out insurance to cover you in the event of an accident?

Ara1985

I have business travel insurance with my company, I also have European travel insurance with my bank if that counts for anything.

lisyloo

It’s unlikely that the bank policy covers business travel (I’m assuming that’s a personal account an not business account).

If the business travel policy has legal cover then I’d call their solicitor and discuss.
Doesn’t sound obvious to me that they are liable but I am not a lawyer.

If there is no legal covered then try to get a free 1/2 hour with a personal injury solicitor.

I’d also check the business policy for any personal accident cover. More of a long shot, but worth 10 mins checking the policy or asking HR/broker. Often business policies are superior.

agrinnall

I think everybody has missed the fact that the OP isn't intending to claim directly against the restaurant but by using the Personal Injuries Assessment Board. I don't know whether a UK citizen can use this route, and neither does the OP, so is asking whether anyone knows if it's possible.


https://www.piab.ie/eng/

Ara1985

Thank you for highlighting that.
I could go through my business travel insurance, they were also made aware of the incident at the time and arranged for me to go to a private hospital after I had waited 9 hours to be seen in public a&e.
However I have looked into this a little, albeit not much because I am not sure I will even claim yet (or if I can even put the restaurant at fault) but the injuries board seemed to be the best/cheapest option.