Ioana's Supermarket Fall: How She Won Her Compensation
Dublin | Wrist Fracture | €14,200 Awarded
Ioana was doing her weekly shopping at a busy supermarket in Dublin when she stepped on a wet patch near the fruit section. There was no warning sign. The floor had been mopped but no one had put up a wet floor marker. She slipped and fell hard, breaking her wrist badly. The pain was immediate—she knew something serious had happened. Staff helped her, but the damage was done. She spent weeks in plaster and months in physio.
For someone working in a job that required full use of both hands, this injury turned her world upside down. She couldn't work properly. Even after the plaster came off, her wrist was weak and painful. Bills piled up. She felt frustrated—the accident wasn't her fault, and she shouldn't have had to pay for the supermarket's carelessness.
A solicitor reviewed what happened. The supermarket had a duty to keep customers safe. A wet floor without a warning is a basic failure in that duty. The supermarket's own CCTV showed there had been plenty of time to put up a sign before customers came near that area. The evidence was clear. The supermarket accepted responsibility and settled the case for €14,200. The award covered her medical costs, lost wages, and the pain and suffering she endured during her recovery.
What the Law Says
In Ireland, property owners and businesses have a legal duty of care toward visitors. This duty includes keeping floors safe and warning people about hazards like wet patches. If someone is injured because a business failed in this duty—by not cleaning up spills quickly, not putting up warning signs, or not maintaining the property properly—the injured person can claim compensation. The business is liable for medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering caused by the injury. You must prove the business was negligent and that this negligence caused your injury.
⏰ Important: Time Limits
You have three years from the date of your accident to take legal action for a personal injury claim in Ireland. This deadline is strict. If you don't begin proceedings within three years, you will lose your right to claim, no matter how strong your case. If you were a child at the time of the accident, the three-year clock may start from your 18th birthday, but it's important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. Don't wait—contact a solicitor early to protect your rights.