Nightclubs and bars are a massive part of the culture within Dublin city. It is where you can spend time with friends and family and just enjoy yourself.
When you go to a nightclub or a bar, the last thing you expect is an accident to occur. However, this can sometimes be an occurrence for the unfortunate.
If you have suffered a personal injury in a nightclub or a bar, it is important you take the correct legal action.
In the instance where you or a family member have been involved in a public accident, make sure you get in contact with a legal professional. A solicitor can help you to make a nightclub or bar accident claim.
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What is a nightclub or bar accident claim?
A nightclub or a bar accident claim is when you have sustained a personal injury in such an establishment and wish to seek compensation for the damages.
In order to make a nightclub or bar accident claim, the establishment where the accident occurred must have displayed negligence which led to the damages. Without negligence causing your accident, your claim will not be successful.
A successful nightclub or bar accident claim will result in compensation that you can use to amend damages and improve your situation moving forward.
Common compensation claims for injury in a bar or nightclub
There are many situations which may arise in a bar or nightclub that could lead to an injury or an accident. Some of the more common compensation claims for such public accidents include:
Cut by broken glass claims
It is common for a glass to fall and smash in a bar, particularly on busy evenings. It is the responsibility of the establishment to ensure that in these instances, accidents do not occur.
Broken glass not being dealt with in an adequate amount of time will likely lead to injury for customers such as cuts.
If you have been cut by broken glass that was neglected by a bar or nightclub, you have the right to make a claim.
Slip on wet floor claims
Wet floors can be a common cause of personal injuries when it comes to hospitality settings such as bars and nightclubs.
Any wet or slippery surfaces should be clearly labelled for customers. Failure to do this will likely lead to significant injuries due to falls and trips.
Injuries that can result from wet floor situations include broken or fractured bones, as well as cuts and bruising.
Failure to address hazards claims
There are a lot of different things in a bar or nightclub setting that could lead to a hazardous setting. It is the responsibility of the establishment to keep their premises safe and hazard-free during opening hours.
If you have been injured by a hazard within a bar or nightclub that you feel was caused by negligence, make sure you talk to a member of our legal team.
Food poisoning claims
When bars serve food, they must ensure that the food is of safe and high quality.
In an instance where the food is expired, incorrectly cooked or not suitable for consumption, it could lead to food poisoning and other potential problems.
If the food you have been served has not been to an acceptable standard, make sure you make a claim against the liable party.
Burn claims
Overly hot food, drink or plates could contribute to a customer suffering a burn.
Any hot surfaces should be clearly pointed out by the establishment and staff. Failure to do this would be considered negligent practice.
Burns can leave significant damage on the skin and may often require medical attention. In these instances, a successful claim can see you receive compensation for your out of pocket expenses.
Security negligence claims
In bars and nightclubs, adequate security should be on the premises if necessary. It is the role of the security professionals to keep all customers safe while in the nightlife setting.
Security personnel can display negligence by failing to address brawls and anti-social behaviour or letting in aggressive and overly intoxicated people. If you were injured due to either of these scenarios, you have the right to make a claim.
Overcrowding claims
It is the responsibility of a bar or nightclub to make sure their establishment is not overly crowded.
In the event where a bar or nightclub is overcrowded, it can lead to serious injury or damages. Results of overcrowding include tramplings, brawls and claustrophobia.
This kind of bar or nightclub accident can lead to significant injuries and damages.
Staff negligence claims
Staff should be properly trained to work in a bar or nightclub setting.
In the event where they are not adequately trained, they may display harmful forms of negligence. An example of this could be not having the correct manual handling training to correctly move a keg of beer, injuring someone in the process.
Compensation for a personal injury in a bar or nightclub
Compensation that you receive for your personal injury in a bar or nightclub will be unique to the situation that you have endured. For a more accurate estimation of how much compensation you might expect, talk to one of our solicitors today.
Based on the events that took place, your compensation will be decided based on two key factors. They are general and specific damages:
Who is liable for a personal injury claim in a nightclub or bar?
The liable party for a personal injury compensation claim in a nightclub or a bar is the person who exhibited the negligence which has led to the injury.
In the case where you were the most responsible person for your injuries, then you do not have the right to make a claim.
Most cases of personal injury claims in these settings will go to a manager or occupier of the business. It is their responsibility to hire the adequate staff and keep the premises in a safe condition.
Does being intoxicated affect your ability to make a claim?
Being intoxicated does not affect your ability to make a claim.
In the case where someone else was at fault for your injuries, you have the right to make a claim, whether you were intoxicated or not. This is why having substantial evidence is helpful in such claims.
Being intoxicated may alter your recollection of the events which took place, which may cause you to remember things differently than how they actually happened.
Many defendants may use the fact that you were drinking alcohol against you in these personal injury claims. However, if you have undeniable proof then your level of sobriety will not impact your claim.
How to make a claim for personal injury
At O’Brien and Company Solicitors, we want to try and make the process of making a personal injury claim as straightforward as possible.
You can make a claim thanks to the help of our experienced solicitors. Our team will walk you through each step whilst we aim to get you the compensation you deserve.
We will help you to submit a formal claim to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board. Our solicitors have significant experience doing this, meaning you can expect a professional and efficient process.
All you have to do to begin the process of making your claim is get in touch with us and provide details regarding the events that occurred.
Once you get in contact, the steps are as follows:
Evidence to help support your claim for a personal injury in a bar or nightclub
The more evidence you have to support your public accident claim, the more chance of success you have. Some helpful evidence when making a claim against a bar or nightclub might include:
How long do you have to make a claim?
You will have a legal period of two years from the date of knowledge of the accident to make your claim for compensation.
There may be exceptions to this time limit, however it is uncommon.
Make a claim today
No one should ever go to a bar or nightclub and have to worry about getting injured or hurt. This is why you should make sure you make a compensation claim when faced with such unfortunate circumstances.
The compensation you can receive from a successful claim can help you to move forward and amend the damages from the public accident.
Our legal team has the experience necessary to help you make a successful personal injury claim. Get in contact today and that process can begin.
You can get in contact with us by emailing info@obsolicitors.ie.
If you wish to contact our Dublin office, call 01 874 6959 or visit our office at 4 Arran Quay, Dublin 7, D07 HK38.
If you wish to contact our Wicklow office, call 0404 61414 or visit our office at Main Street, Market Square, Wicklow Town, A67HD96.
Contact us now
in confidence.
O’Brien & Company Solicitors has a wealth of experience and a history of success in personal injury and medical negligence cases.
We pride ourselves on achieving the best results for our clients whilst at the same time making everything as straightforward and clear for you as possible.