Business owners blamed for compensation cases

Business owners are falling down on the job of ensuring their premises are safe — causing customers to suffer a similar fate.

The Injuries Board directed the payment of just under €44m compensation in public liability cases last year, the majority for injuries suffered in slips, trips and falls in public places.

Common causes included wet floors and other poorly maintained surfaces and often the accidents happened in supermarkets, sports clubs, gyms, cinemas and hairdressers.