I slipped and fell in a shop. Is the occupier liable?

What the Law Says

The legal responsibility of a shop owner (or 'occupier') in Ireland for injuries caused by slips and falls is set out in the Civil Liability Act 1961.

Under Irish law, an occupier of premises — such as a shop owner or manager — owes a duty of care to people who are lawfully on the premises. This means they must take reasonable steps to make sure the premises are safe for visitors.

The key test is whether the occupier took 'reasonable care' to ensure your safety while you were there for a lawful purpose — for example, shopping. It does not mean the premises must be perfectly safe, only that the occupier acted as a reasonable person would in the circumstances.

If the occupier knew about a hazard (like a wet floor) and did nothing, or should have known about it through regular inspections but failed to act, they may be found liable for any injury you suffered as a result.

Statutory Text

An occupier of premises is under a duty to take such care as in all the circumstances of the case is reasonable to see that persons entering on the premises... are reasonably safe in using the premises for the purposes for which they are invited or permitted by the occupier to be there.

— Civil Liability Act 1961, s. 2 — Duty of occupiers

What to Do

Sources