Yana's story — Galway
Yana was looking forward to a peaceful weekend getaway in Galway. She'd booked a hotel room with a balcony, hoping to enjoy the sea views with a morning coffee. On her first evening, she stepped out onto the balcony to take in the scenery. As she leaned against the wooden furniture, one of the chairs gave way without warning, and she tumbled to the ground below. The fall left her with a broken arm, severe bruising, and weeks of pain.
What made the situation worse was discovering that the hotel had known about the problem. When Yana's solicitor investigated, they found clear evidence in the hotel's own records that another guest had reported the defective furniture just days before her accident. The hotel had done nothing to fix it or warn guests. The balcony furniture had never been properly maintained or replaced, leaving it unsafe for anyone to use.
Yana decided to pursue a claim against the hotel. Her legal team gathered the evidence, obtained her medical records, and built a strong case showing that the hotel had been negligent. They had failed in their duty of care to their guests. The hotel's own documentation proved they knew about the hazard and ignored it. Rather than risk losing in court, the hotel's insurers agreed to settle the case, awarding Yana full compensation for her injuries, medical costs, lost wages, and the distress caused by the accident.
Hotels and holiday accommodations have a legal duty to ensure their premises are safe for guests. This includes maintaining furniture, fixtures, and fittings in good condition. If a guest is injured because the hotel failed to maintain something or ignored a known hazard, the guest can claim compensation. The hotel is liable for injuries that result from their negligence, even if they didn't cause the damage directly.
You typically have two years from the date of your accident to bring a claim for personal injury in Ireland. Don't delay — the sooner you act, the sooner evidence can be gathered and witness accounts recorded while memories are fresh.
Tell Sarah what happened. She will explain your options and match you with the right solicitor in your county — free.