Woman suing over pub fall says claim ‘last thing’ on her mind

A woman who has sued over a leg fracture suffered after falling on what she alleges was a wet pub floor has told the High Court a compensation claim was the last thing on her mind at the time of the incident.

Samantha Griffin (47) agreed that she had previously settled two compensation claims arising from “rear-ending” road incidents.

She said that at the time of her fall on the floor of her local pub, The Laurels in Clondalkin, a compensation claim was “the last thing on my mind”.

“I slipped because the floor was wet. I was in excruciating pain, roaring crying,” she said. “The last thing on my mind at the time was a compensation claim.”

Ms Griffin (47), a mother-of-two, from Cherrywood Grove, Clondalkin, was being cross-examined on the second day of her case.

She has sued Bellway Ltd with offices at Lower Camden Street, Dublin trading as The Laurels, Main Street, Clondalkin, as a result of the fall on December 7th 2013.

She alleges failure to properly or adequately maintain the pub floor and also claims patrons were allowed to dance in close proximity to tables containing drinks. She further claims patrons were allowed to dance while holding or consuming drinks.

Bellway denies liability and pleads the floor was dry. It has also pleaded contributory negligence on the part of Ms Griffin and claims she had consumed alcohol such as to impair her balance. It also pleads she pushed another customer away from her whilst dancing and lost her balance.

Opening her case earlier this week, Declan Buckley SC said she suffered a horrific fracture to her lower leg and has been left with constant pain.

Ms Griffin had gone to the pub at about 10pm with a female friend and had about five drinks during the course of the night and was not hiding from that, he said.

The fall happened about 2.45am, the court heard.

Under cross-examination on Thursday by Hugh Mohan SC, for Bellway, Ms Griffin agreed she had made two previous claims and they had settled and she got compensation. She said they related to road accident cases where a car was rear ended.

CCTV footage of the pub on the night of the incident, which showed Ms Griffin falling, was shown to the court.

Asked about that, Ms Griffin said she could not see a drink in her hand.

Asked about hospital notes related to her admission to the emergency department of Tallaght hosptial after the fall, she disagreed with a doctor’s note which stated “fell over on high heels in pub.”

Asked about a nursing note which stated “admitting to a large alcohol intake,” Ms Griffin said she had admitted she drank alcohol on the night and was not hiding from that fact.

The case before Mr Justice Bernard Barton continues next week.