Public Liability / Slip, Trip & Fall — Legal Assessment — Guide

A public liability or slip, trip and fall legal assessment in Ireland looks at how and where you fell, who is responsible for the location and whether the occupier breached their duty under occupiers’ liability law. You receive a written assessment of liability, the legal merits of your case, the evidence to preserve, the Injuries Resolution Board process and an indicative value range. A service of this kind is a solicitor’s assessment of your position and the Injuries Resolution Board route. If you want to proceed further, with an IRB application, negotiation or court proceedings, a solicitor would confirm whether she can take the matter on, and that work is a separate engagement with its own terms and costs agreed in writing before it starts.

What’s included

• Written assessment of liability
• Legal merits of your case
• Evidence to preserve (photographs, incident reports, witnesses)
• The Injuries Resolution Board process
• Indicative value range
• Self-complete template with guidance notes — you fill it in yourself
• Documents tailored to Irish law and your circumstances, delivered by email
• A written summary of the key points and anything you need to do afterwards

Who this is for

• People injured in a shop or car park
• People who fell on a footpath
• Visitors injured on private premises
• People who want independent legal advice after an injury

How it works

1. Find a solicitor through the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory and send them the basic details and any existing documents or correspondence.
2. Complete a short questionnaire about your circumstances.
3. A solicitor would then review the incident and prepares a written assessment.
4. The completed work is delivered to you by email, with plain-English notes on what to do next.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a slip and fall legal assessment cost?

Fees for work of this kind are typically set on application: a solicitor would typically confirm the fee once the matter has been reviewed and before any work begins. Any third-party or State fees are listed separately where they apply. You request an assessment, and costs are confirmed in writing before any work begins.

Is an occupier always liable for a fall?

No. It depends on whether the occupier took reasonable care, and on your own care.

What evidence should I keep?

Photos, incident reports, witness details and medical records.

For more on personal injury claims, see our Personal Injury in Ireland guide.

If you would like to be told when solicitor services are available again on this site, you can join our no-fee waiting list. To instruct a solicitor now, use the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.