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Kathleen’s slip claim settles for £60,000 (Newtownards)

Kathleen was attending a barbeque at the home of her employer. It was taking place in the sizeable back garden of the property. Her employer asked if she would go to the garden’s vegetable patch and gather some vegetables for the barbeque. On her way back she slipped on some wooden steps that were unfortunately damp and without a hand rail.

Kathleen didn’t want to make a fuss so remained at the gathering. However, the next morning she suffered from pain in her back. As the days went on the pain didn’t pass so she attended her GP who referred her to hospital for an x-ray. Soon after she was diagnosed with a fractured vertebrae.

The type of spinal fracture sustained had to be treated by three months spent in a back brace. Kathleen was also left with permanent stiffness and ongoing chronic pain. Subsequently, she contacted us to enquire about compensation.

Kathleen contacted Paschal O’Hare Personal Injury Solicitors

We began the claims process and sent our new client to an orthopaedic surgeon, a consultant psychiatrist and a care expert. Each medical professional provided us a detailed report of the full extent of the injury. We also engaged a consultant engineer who explained in a report that the steps were heavily affected by algae that can make damp timber surfaces very slippery. He advised it was usually a simple process to power hose surfaces like this in order to remove algae and restore grip. The engineer also criticised the absence of a handrail.

The home insurance provider of Kathleen’s employer robustly denied liability. As a result, we issued High Court proceedings. The insurer didn’t give any indication of a willingness to negotiate a settlement until a number of days before the date of the hearing. We accepted the invitation and negotiated a sum of £60,000 in compensation for Kathleen.

Commenting upon her settlement our client stated, “thank you so much, Patrick for all of your support, advice and wise counsel over the last number of years. I am truly delighted with the settlement”.


If you slipped or tripped in public or private property and it wasn’t your fault, we may be able to help you too. You can learn more about our services here or contact us for a free no obligation enquiry.

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