Best Construction Accident Lawyers in Carrigaline

About Construction Accident Law in Carrigaline, Ireland

Construction sites around Carrigaline and the wider Cork area are governed by Irish health and safety and personal injuries law. If you are injured while working on or visiting a site, or as a passer-by affected by site activities, you may be entitled to bring a personal injury claim. Most claims arising from construction accidents in Ireland must first go through the statutory assessment process handled by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, commonly known as PIAB, whose powers were expanded by the Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022.

Irish law imposes duties on those who control or operate construction sites, including employers, principal contractors, subcontractors, project supervisors, designers, and others in control of place and systems of work. Typical accident scenarios include falls from height, collapsing scaffolding, being struck by moving plant or falling materials, trench or excavation incidents, electrocution, slips and trips, and manual handling injuries. Compensation, if established, usually covers pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of earnings, and other proven financial losses.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a solicitor experienced in construction accident claims if any of the following apply. You suffered an injury on a site in Carrigaline or elsewhere in Cork. You are unsure who is legally responsible where multiple contractors and subcontractors are involved. There is a dispute about whether you were properly trained, supervised, or provided with personal protective equipment. You were pressured not to report the accident or there is disagreement over how it happened. You need help preparing and submitting your PIAB application or evaluating a PIAB assessment. Your injuries are serious or long term and you need expert evidence, such as from engineers or medical specialists. Liability is denied or there is an allegation of contributory negligence. You are an agency worker, self-employed contractor, apprentice, or non-Irish national and want to understand your rights. A family member was fatally injured on a site and you wish to explore a fatal injuries claim.

A solicitor can identify the correct defendants, gather and preserve evidence, engage appropriate experts, navigate the PIAB process and time limits, value your claim by reference to the Judicial Council Personal Injuries Guidelines, negotiate with insurers, and issue court proceedings if needed.

Local Laws Overview

Key Irish laws and rules that commonly apply to construction accidents in Carrigaline include the following. Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated Regulations, including the Construction Regulations 2013, set out duties to provide a safe system of work, training, competent supervision, risk assessments, method statements, site inductions, equipment maintenance, and suitable personal protective equipment. Specific construction roles include the Project Supervisor Design Process and Project Supervisor Construction Stage, each with defined safety responsibilities. Safe Pass training is required for most site workers, and certain plant operators must hold Construction Skills Certification Scheme cards issued by SOLAS. Employers must keep a written Safety Statement and carry out risk assessments. Certain accidents must be reported to the Health and Safety Authority where an employee is out of work for more than three consecutive days or in the event of specified dangerous occurrences. Reports should be filed within 10 working days. It is unlawful to penalise workers for raising safety concerns or making complaints.

Personal injury claims process. With limited exceptions, a claimant must first submit the claim to PIAB with a medical report and fee. The respondent has a set period to consent to assessment. PIAB aims to assess within months, and if either party rejects the assessment, or PIAB declines to assess, an authorisation issues that allows court proceedings. A letter of claim describing the wrong should be sent as soon as possible, ideally within one month, under the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004. Time limits are strict. The general limitation period is two years less one day from the date of the accident or from the date of knowledge of the injury. For minors, time runs from the 18th birthday if a claim has not already been brought by a next friend. Fatal injuries claims are generally two years from the date of death.

Damages. Pain and suffering is valued using the Judicial Council Personal Injuries Guidelines. Financial losses can include past and future loss of earnings, medical and rehabilitation costs, travel, care and aids, and other reasonably incurred out of pocket expenses. If you bear some responsibility, your award may be reduced for contributory negligence. Insurers may be required to reimburse certain state benefits under the social welfare recoverable benefits scheme.

Courts and venue. If a case leaves PIAB, it can be issued in the Cork Circuit Court for claims up to the Circuit Court personal injuries jurisdiction limit, and in the High Court for higher value claims. District Court claims are for lower value cases. The appropriate venue depends on the value and circumstances and should be considered with your solicitor.

Insurance and responsibility. Employers liability and public liability insurance are common on construction projects, though not legally compulsory in Ireland. Liability can rest with multiple parties depending on control of the work, defective equipment, unsafe systems, and coordination failures between contractors. Agency workers and self-employed contractors can have valid claims where another party owed and breached a duty of care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a construction accident in Carrigaline

Seek medical attention first. Report the accident to your supervisor and make sure it is recorded in the accident book. If safe, take photos of the scene, equipment, and any hazards. Get names and contact details of witnesses. Keep any damaged PPE or tools. As soon as possible, speak to a solicitor about sending a letter of claim and lodging your PIAB application within the time limit.

Who can be held responsible for a construction site injury

Depending on the facts, responsibility can fall on an employer, principal contractor, subcontractor, agency, designer, or others in control of the site or equipment. Liability often depends on training, supervision, risk assessments, method statements, maintenance, and whether safe systems of work were in place and followed.

Do I have to report the accident to the Health and Safety Authority

Employers must report certain accidents to the HSA, including where an employee cannot perform their normal work for more than three consecutive days and certain dangerous occurrences. If you are unsure whether your incident was reported, tell your solicitor. You should still make sure the accident is recorded internally and seek copies of any internal report.

What is PIAB and why must my claim go there first

PIAB is the statutory body that assesses most personal injury claims in Ireland without court proceedings. Except for limited categories, a court claim cannot be issued until PIAB has made an assessment or issued an authorisation. A complete application includes your details, a medical report, and the fee. If the respondent consents and both sides accept the assessment, the claim settles on that basis.

How long do I have to bring a construction accident claim

The general limit is two years less one day from the date of the accident or the date you first knew you were injured and that negligence may have caused it. Minors have different rules. Fatal claims are generally two years from death. Time limits are strict, so get advice promptly.

What if I was partly at fault

You can usually still claim. The court or PIAB may apportion responsibility between the parties. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, not wearing required PPE may reduce but not automatically defeat a claim if the system of work was unsafe.

How is compensation calculated

Pain and suffering is assessed using the Judicial Council Personal Injuries Guidelines, which set indicative ranges for different injuries. You can also claim special damages for financial loss such as lost earnings, medical treatment, rehabilitation, travel, care, and equipment. You must prove these losses with evidence like payslips and receipts.

Do I need to provide CCTV or medical records

Evidence helps. You can make a data subject access request to seek relevant CCTV and records from the site operator, and you can request your medical records from your healthcare providers. A solicitor can help with targeted requests to preserve and obtain evidence.

How much will a solicitor cost

Irish solicitors must give you a written notice setting out how fees will be calculated before work is done. They cannot charge a fee based on a percentage of your award. Many firms offer arrangements where you do not pay legal fees unless the claim succeeds, but advertising restrictions apply to how this is described. Always ask for a clear costs letter and discuss potential outlays such as medical reports and expert fees.

What if I am an agency worker, subcontractor, apprentice, or a non-Irish national

Your status does not remove your right to a safe workplace. You may have a claim against the party that controlled the work or created the hazard. Immigration status does not prevent you from bringing a claim, and you are protected from penalisation for raising safety concerns.

Additional Resources

Health and Safety Authority. National regulator for workplace safety. Provides guidance on construction duties, reporting obligations, and accident investigations.

PIAB Personal Injuries Assessment Board. Statutory body that assesses most personal injury claims before court proceedings can be issued.

Judicial Council Personal Injuries Guidelines. The reference used to value general damages for pain and suffering in Ireland.

Courts Service of Ireland. Information on the District Court, Circuit Court, and High Court processes and venues, including Cork sittings.

Citizens Information. Public guidance on personal injuries, limitation periods, and workplace rights.

Law Society of Ireland. Professional body for solicitors. Can help you identify solicitors experienced in personal injury and construction law.

SOLAS. Training body responsible for Safe Pass and CSCS certification for construction workers and plant operators.

Coroner Service. In cases of fatal accidents, information on inquests and next steps for families.

Next Steps

Prioritise your health. Attend your GP or hospital and follow medical advice. Keep copies of all medical notes, referrals, and receipts.

Report and record. Notify your employer or the site controller in writing and ensure an accident report is created. Keep a personal diary of symptoms and missed work.

Preserve evidence. Photograph the scene, defects, equipment, and injuries. Identify witnesses and gather their contact details. Retain PPE and any relevant tools. Request any relevant CCTV and documents as early as possible.

Seek legal advice early. Contact a solicitor experienced in construction accident claims in the Carrigaline and Cork area. Ask about time limits, the PIAB process, likely evidence required, expert involvement, and costs. Provide your solicitor with your medical records, payslips, and any correspondence from insurers or the HSA.

Lodge your PIAB claim. Your solicitor can obtain a medical report, send the statutory letter of claim, and file your PIAB application within the limitation period. Engage constructively with any assessment or mediation proposed.

Review and decide. If a PIAB assessment or insurer offer is made, your solicitor will compare it against the Personal Injuries Guidelines and your documented financial losses. If unsuitable, court proceedings can be issued in the appropriate court, commonly the Cork Circuit Court or the High Court depending on value.

This guide is for general information only and is not a substitute for tailored legal advice. Timelines are strict and facts matter, so take prompt advice about your specific circumstances.