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Bar & Nightclub Injuries Nothern Ireland Belfast

Bar & Nightclub Injuries – Whose fault was it?

Each weekend the streets of Belfast & Northern Ireland come alive as revellers enjoy the vibrancy of the city’s many fantastic bars & nightclubs. Much like any large gathering of people, someone is bound to get hurt. There is an unfortunate stigma attached when personal injury is sustained by a person who has consumed alcohol, however liability is not always so black and white.

The injured party’s entitlement for compensation is dependent on who is at fault for the injury received. Much like any other business, nightlife venues have a duty of care to visitors on their premises and this remains the case when alcohol is being consumed. The vast majority of Belfast’s pubs & clubs comply with Belfast City Council’s stringent health & safety guidelines but unfortunate accidents do happen. For example, if a glass is dropped on the floor in a venue then it is the business and its staff’s responsibility to remove the hazard before someone slips and sustains possible injury.

We, at Paschal O’Hare Solicitors, often hear drunkenness on the plaintiff’s part and a “reasonable system of cleaning/inspection” as the defence of the defendant. However, quite often there is evidence to suggest otherwise. (Check out the Case Study).

Although extra vigilance from both the business and its customer is recommended when alcohol is consumed in a busy environment, liability is ultimately placed upon who is at fault, not who is drunk.

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