Stefan was walking along the pavement outside a busy shopping centre in Dublin on an ordinary Saturday afternoon. The kerb where he was standing had broken away over time, leaving an uneven surface where pedestrians like him had to step. Without warning, his foot caught on the raised edge of the broken kerb. He lost his balance and fell hard onto the pavement, injuring his arm and shoulder. Shaken and in pain, Stefan had to be helped up by a stranger. It was clear the kerb had been damaged for some time — the broken edge was smooth from years of wear.
Stefan's injuries meant time off work and physical therapy. He began to wonder whether someone should be responsible for fixing that kerb and, more importantly, whether they should pay for the harm it caused. He looked into his rights and learned that public roads and their pavements are maintained by the local authority. In Dublin, that responsibility falls to Dublin City Council. The broken kerb wasn't an accident — it was a hazard that should have been repaired or at least properly managed.
Stefan gathered evidence: photographs of the broken kerb, medical records of his injuries, and witness accounts from people nearby who saw the fall. He documented how long the damage had been visible, showing negligence rather than a sudden, unavoidable problem. Dublin City Council had a legal duty to maintain the pavement in a safe condition. A broken kerb that had been deteriorating for months was a breach of that duty. Liability was established, and Stefan received compensation for his injuries, medical costs, and lost earnings.