LOCAL authorities will vigorously defend any personal injury claims resulting from falls on frozen footpaths and roads, legal experts have warned.

However, pathways with construction faults concealed by snow and ice which lead to accidents could leave councils liable to damages.

Dublin City Council, the largest authority in the country, confirmed it would defend any claims that resulted from the bad weather of last week, and which is expected to continue into the first half of this week.

This is despite serious criticism from Dublin Chamber of Commerce that parts of the city, including the busy shopping area around Henry Street, have not been made sufficiently safe for pedestrians.

The council declined to be interviewed in relation to accidents.

However, in a short statement it said: "A small number of cases were taken by members of the public in relation to injuries resulting from trips and falls sustained during the cold spell last December and January. Dublin City Council defends all of these cases on the basis that it has no liability in this regard."

However, despite common perceptions, slips and trips do not automatically lead to a tide of litigation.

"The fact that it's snowing does not give carte blanche for legal actions," explained Beverly Turner of Taylor and Buchalter Solicitors, which specialises in personal injury claims.

"Obviously local authorities have a duty of care for people but you could call snow an act of god.

"They have to make an effort to keep pathways clear of snow, so the courts have to approach this as to what was reasonable in the circumstances.

"If you trip on snow or ice on the footpath I think you would have a difficult time in taking a successful claim."