You are here: / / Childbirth

The Functions of a Notary Public

A Notary Public is a public legal officer appointed by the Chief Justice of Ireland.  The main function of a Notary Public is to certify the signature and execution of a document which requires certification and authentication.  This is done by the Notary applying a seal and signature to the document to be notarised.

The main functions of a Notary Public include the following but not limited to:

  • Certifying copies and execution of legal and business documents
  • Witnessing affidavits, statutory declarations and other documents
  • Administering oaths

For further information visit notarycork.ie or to speak directly with Notary Public Cork David Sweeney, kindly visit our Contact page.

What To Do After An Accident In A Public Place?

Public place injuries claims (also called slips, trips, and falls or public liability claims) can occur in almost any environment, anywhere from falling on a slippery or in a supermarket to tripping on a broken footpath. These types of incidents can result in serious personal injury and in public places there is a duty of care on the persons responsible for the particular area. If their negligence in maintaining the area is the cause of your slip, trip or fall, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

1. Report the accident 

Firstly, you must report your slip, trip, or fall to the owner of the premises. Once reported, you should ensure that the incident is recorded on their side. Check that they take details of the accident and how it happened. It is advisable to request a copy of any incident reports you complete. Furthermore, it is required to be signed as proof that you reported the accident. This is important for when you make your claim. 

If you were injured in a shop/supermarket/restaurant, for example, you might also report the accident to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). This may lead to an investigation of the property by the HSA. This would further prove that the owner 

of the premises was negligent as the owner failed to provide a safe and hazardous-free environment for the public. 

Make sure that you record the time, date, and any other conditional information at the time of the accident. 

2. Document the accident 

It is important for you to keep a very detailed record of the accident. This will help you recall the incident when you speak to a specialist personal injury solicitor. When documenting an accident, you should: 

  • Request details and contact information of any persons that may have witnessed the accident.
  • Take pictures of the accident scene. In addition to any prevailing factors that caused the accident and also take photos of any physically visible injuries.
  • Keep any receipts for any additional expenses that arose from the accident
  • Request copies of any medical records/examinations that a doctor may have carried out. This will be the record of the extent of your injuries. If you tend to your injuries yourself without any medical attention, then you will find yourself with a lack of evidence to prove that you suffered a personal injury. 

3. Contact a specialist slip, trip, and fall solicitor 

Finally, you should contact a personal injury specialist solicitor. One with experience with slips, trips, and falls claims, to discuss your case and how best to proceed. This will ensure that you make the right moves at the right time. A personal injury claim will have to be first put through the Injuries Board; this is something that is best done with the help of a solicitor. 

It is important to note that some factors will prohibit you from making a claim. A person cannot claim a slip, trip or fall in cases where: 

  • Somebody injured themselves while trespassing on a property at the time of the accident.
  • A person ignored any health and safety measures in place. For example, if there was an obstacle blocking a faulty staircase, and a person processed to climb the stairs any injured themselves.
  • A person who behaved recklessly and was the cause of the accident.
  • The condition that caused the accident was not there for a long enough period for the property owner or employees on the property to notice and rectify the issue.

Read more information on Public Accidents in our free e-book: https://sweeneysolicitors.ie/the-ultimate-guide-to-making-a-claim-for-legal-compensation/

Top 5 Most Overlooked Buying Considerations

,

1. Ask about certified heating

Nothing can ruin a cosy winter evening like your heating giving up the ghost. If spending the first winter in your new home wearing ski jackets in bed sounds unappealing then it’s important to make sure that the property you have your eye on comes with certified heating.

Most houses with gas heating systems are subject to annual boiler inspections. So don’t be afraid to ask the estate agent if you can have a peep at the boiler. Check the sticker to see when the last inspection was. No sticker is a bit of a red flag – so ask for a certificate.

2. Be on the lookout for mould

Get a slight waft of damp? Or did small black spots on the ceiling catch your eye?

Unfortunately this is a sign of mould. If you employ a surveyor, they’ll be able to point out most of the structural issues contributing to the damp. But a home that isn’t well ventilated may have spots that the surveyor doesn’t report.

Fixing mould related issues can be expensive, so check behind the curtains and stick your nose in the under-stairs cupboard to determine if it might be an issue.

3. Test the water pressure

Water pressure is essential for a good shower. Getting dribbled on is no way to start the day. Turn on the shower and see if it’s to your liking. If not, you may have to spend a good chunk of change getting it fixed.

4. Understand your full costs by accounting for renovation

Many folks make the mistake of bidding on houses that appear to be within budget but forget to factor in renovations. The total cost may turn out to be far higher than they had planned to spend.

For example, if you spot a house for €350K in a nice part of town where similar houses sell for €400k, you might be tempted to jump on it. But factor in the price needed to get it up to modern standards and your total bill is €50K more than the other houses on the street.

Make sure you have a very clear picture of what you’re willing to spend, including all of the work required to get your property into the condition you want it in.

5. Explore the neighbourhood

After your viewing, make sure to spend a little time strolling up and down the streets surrounding the property. It’ll give you a better feel for what it’s like to live in that neck of the woods.

Keep your eyes and ears peeled for unsightly rubbish, bedraggled gardens and untrained dogs barking. Have an idea of your limits and don’t settle for less.

If you’re feeling cheeky, why not approach someone on the street or in a café and ask them about the area? Friendly enough folk will provide valuable insight into what it’s like to live there.

For more information on Buying, Selling, and Remortgaging click here to download our FREE e-book.

Talk to us

1800 246442

info@sweeneysolicitors.ie

Cork

15 South Terrace, Cork
Freephone: 1800 246442

Dublin

Ormond Building, 31-36 Ormond Quay, Dublin 7
Freephone: 1800 246442

Limerick

20 The Crescent, O’Connell Street, Limerick
Freephone: 1800 246442

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Sweeney Solicitors and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.