Since the 1st August 2014, the Recoverable Benefits and Assistance Scheme has been in force in Ireland. The Scheme was enacted by Sections 13 and 14 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2013. It has now been in place for over four and half years. Using this Scheme, the State is r...
Research carried out by the INMO in 2011 established that one third of nurses have suffered a needlestick injury. 70% of nurses surveyed at that time told researchers that they knew a friend who had suffered a needlestick injury in the workplace.
A needlestick injury arises where one’s skin...
Unfortunately, injuries suffered as a result of dog attacks have been increasing steadily over the last number of years. An attack by a dog is a terrifying experience and can leave victims with serious and long-lasting injuries, both physical and psychological.
Unfortunately, many of these incide...
We were all greeted on Sunday morning, 07 October 2018 with the sad news of the untimely needless death of Emma Mhic Mhathuna, a courageous Mother who left the world and her five children behind her at the young age of 37.
Emma has clearly left behind a personal and private legacy t...
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, you will want to know that you/your family will be looked after. Being exposed to asbestos dust or fibers can cause mesothelioma, asbestos related lung cancer and asbestosis (which can take years to develop in the...
Many people believe that where they are injured at work, they have an automatic right to compensation. This is not the case and from our experience, the vast majority of cases involving employer’s liability are contested.
An injured employee will be entitled to compensation only where they ...
Amy and the Litigation Team were successful in representing a teenager who suffered serious injuries as a result of an accident which occurred during the course of a school trip.
Proceedings were issued against the school as well as the occupiers of the premises on which this accident occur...
Amy and the Litigation Team secured a significant award of damages on behalf of a mother who suffered injuries as a result of a road traffic accident. Our Client suffered significant physical and psychological injuries.
Our client’s children were also in the vehicle at the time of this coll...
Amy and the Litigation Team represented a Client who suffered serious injuries as a result of a collision which occurred when the driver of another vehicle attempted to overtake our client. Not only did our Client suffer serious injuries, both physical and psychological, but he also suffered signifi...
In July, 2017, we wrote a piece about the Japanese Knotweed crisis and the serious problems which it is posing for many homeowners and residents throughout Ireland. In particular, we condemned the presence of Japanese Knotweed on City or County Council property.
Recently, the Courts i...
Earlier this year, the fourth UN Global Road Safety Week (May 2017) focused on strategies to address and manage speed on the roads, which is a key risk factor for road traffic deaths and injuries. Speed contributes to around one-third of all fatal road traffic crashes in high-income countries, and u...
Exaggerated or fraudulent claims by Plaintiffs are abhorrent. They are dishonest and they are illegal. They do not benefit the legal system the public who pay expensive insurance premiums. Thankfully they are in the minority.
Solicitors take detailed instructions from clients, carry o...
Emergency Responders (including Ambulance Crew, Paramedics, members of An Garda Síochána and The Fire Service) deal with people who have suffered injuries every day. Whether it is a car accident or a heart attack, Emergency Responders are usually the first on the scene to take ca...
There has been a lot of talk about this topic in the recent weeks. Indeed, I was invited on to talk about this topic on Today with Sean O’Rourke on the 05th April 2017. So too was Kevin Thompson, Chief Executive of Insurance Ireland and Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish In...
If you are a member of An Garda Siochana and have sustained an injury inflicted upon you (during the course of your duties or even when you are off duty), you may be entitled to compensation.*
There are strict time limits that need to be adhered to, when bringing an application under ...
Difficult inter-personal relationships can (unfortunately) be a part of everyday life. Most of us get by and work things out in a mutually respectful fashion. However there are times when matters can get out of hand and that mutual respect is lost. What are your options when matters take a turn for ...
We began this week seeing alarming figures being released showing a whopping 3,462 incidents of physical assaults recorded by the HSE over the last five years. Almost 70% of assaults were against frontline staff, with 2,372 incidents recorded against nurses, midwives, psychiatric nurses or other nur...
We act for a number of victims (and their family members) who are parties to what has become known as the “Grace” controversy. Vulnerable children were placed, by the HSE, in a foster home where they were subjected to the most vile sexual and physical abuse.
These victims have b...
On the 5th October 2016, the revised Book of Quantum was published. The fact of the publication itself is a welcome development given that the Book of Quantum had not been updated since it’s first publication in 2004.
The Publication has come against a backdrop of claims by the motor insura...
Sinead Carroll, Partner in Cantillons Solicitors, an experienced Litigation Solicitor, writing today states as follows:
“Persons with physical and mental disabilities should be treated with respect and obtain whatever medical, intellectual, educational, therapeutic or other interventions th...
Cantillons Solicitors were saddened to learn of the inadequate and unsafe services provided in three farm-based residential care centres for people with Autism, reported in the media this week.
The news came following the publication of inspection reports by the Health Information and Quali...
The question is a stark and odd one, I know. However, it is one (unfortunately) which some of our clients at Cantillons have come to consider.
Legionnaires Disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia which is caused by the bacteria found in both environmental and purpose built water sources....
It was reported yesterday that figures released to Minister Michael McGrath confirm that insurance companies paid out more in claims in 2011 and 2012, than in 2014. This effectively dismisses the proposition that compensation claims are to blame for the soaring premiums.
It had been suggested by ...
It has been announced that provisional terms of reference for an Inquiry into the foster home in the South East where residents suffered horrific abuse is to be given to Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath this week.
The provisional terms were first announced before the General Election in Febru...
It has been announced that the Government will be asked this week to set up a taskforce to examine the soaring costs of motor insurance. This is a welcomed announcement. Customers continue to be hit with huge increases in their motor insurance premiums. Recent commentary from Government Ministers se...
Compensation culture is a negative term that we hear brandished about on a regular basis. It is used to suggest that a significant number of claims for compensation are fraudulent, unjustified and that those who seek compensation should be criticised.
Most recently, the term has reared its ugly h...
If you have been injured as a passenger in a private vehicle, on a motorbike, commercial or other vehicle or on public transport, then you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation*.
It is important to note that it is the responsibility of the negligent driver’s insurance company to ...
Cantillons have been contacted by Cork people who have been injured on public and private pavements due to the recent ice we have endured.
The type of injury sustained can range up to the most severe. We have encountered people who have broken limbs, sore backs, and suffered nasty hea...
Yesterday, it was reported that the Commercial Court ruled that the Electricity Supply Board was 60 per cent liable for damage that was caused to UCC's campus in the wake of flooding in November 2009. The court also ruled that UCC was 40 per cent liable after a finding of contributory negligence...
Just because your job involves a physical element (e.g. nursing), does not mean you should be exposed to injuries. Employers must train their staff how to lift and they must minimise the risks to which their staff are exposed.
First and foremost, if you have suffered an injury, go to your doctor....
A question which often arises when somebody has died as a result of injury caused either by an accident or medical procedure is who can take a case.
The Civil Liability Act 1961 governs claims that can be made where a person has died as a result of the wrongful or negligent act of another person ...
If you suffer an injury or damage on another person’s premises it is important to first establish who the occupier of that premises is and secondly to establish if that person owes you any duty in respect of the injury/damage caused.
The Occupiers’ Liability Act came into force in 199...
The role of a Nurse is a risky one. Nurses are exposed to physical and psychological injuries every day. According to reports, the Health and Social Work Sector reports over 1,000 injuries each year to the Health and Safety Authority. This accounts for nearly 20% of all workplace injuries repo...
A cyclist who is not seen runs the risk of being struck by a motorist and reflective clothing is the answer to being seen in the hours of darkness. Wearing reflective clothing is a simple and effective way to make sure you are clearly seen by other road users when cycling. Cyclists...
If you are unlucky enough to be involved in a road traffic accident, Cantillons Solicitors should be on your list of people to call following the event.
Initial meeting
The initial meeting with your solicitor at Cantillons is very important as this is an opportunity for us to extract all o...
What is Contributory Negligence?
In short it is the extent to which a person injured in an accident is responsible for the injuries that were sustained.
Contributory negligence is a common law defence and plays a vital role in determining liability.&nbs...
People frequently fall in public places and receive injuries, which injuries may arise from wet, slippery or defective floors in shops, offices, schools, restaurants, car parks, bars or night clubs.
The type of injury sustained can range from the most trivial to the most severe. We frequent...
Farming is a rewarding but yet hazardous occupation. You, as the farmer, have certain responsibilities to prevent accidents from happening, both on and off your farm. If you do not take the appropriate steps, you run the risk of losing your farm.
The Farmer, the Employer
If you have farm work...
Myth –v- Reality
As a solicitor in Cantillons Solicitors, many people have said to me that they were injured at work, their employer is insured and surely they are entitled to compensation. However, our legal system does not work like that and insurance only comes into place if there is a ...
If you are a member of An Garda Siochana and have sustained an injury inflicted upon you (during the course of your duties or even when you are off duty), you may be entitled to compensation.*
There are strict time limits that need to be adhered to, when bringing an application under the G...
