In today’s environment, CCTV cameras are everywhere — from shops and car parks to public streets and workplaces. If you’ve been injured in an accident, there’s a strong chance that your incident may have been captured on camera.

At Martin A. Harvey & Co. Solicitors, we regularly see how powerful CCTV footage can be in personal injury claims. In many cases, it provides clear, objective evidence that supports a client’s version of events and strengthens their case significantly.

So how exactly does CCTV help, and what should you do if you believe your accident was recorded?

Why CCTV Footage Is So Important

Unlike witness statements, which can sometimes be inconsistent or incomplete, CCTV provides real-time, unbiased visual evidence of what actually happened.

It can:

• Show exactly how the accident occurred
• Identify the hazard that caused the injury
• Confirm the presence or absence of warning signs
• Demonstrate whether reasonable safety measures were in place
• Support your account if liability is disputed

In many cases, CCTV can quickly establish fault — or, just as importantly, disprove inaccurate claims made by the other party.

Common Situations Where CCTV Is Used

CCTV evidence is particularly useful in:

• Slip and fall accidents in supermarkets, shops, or shopping centres
• Workplace accidents where safety procedures are in question
• Road traffic accidents at junctions, car parks, or urban areas
• Public liability claims involving footpaths, entrances, or public buildings
• Gym, hotel, or leisure facility injuries

Because cameras are so widespread, many incidents are recorded — but the key is acting quickly to secure the footage.

How CCTV Helps Prove Negligence

To succeed in a personal injury claim, you must show that another party was negligent. CCTV footage can help establish:

• That a hazard existed (e.g. a spill, obstruction, or unsafe surface)
• That the hazard was present for a sufficient period of time
• That the responsible party failed to take reasonable steps to address it
• That your injury occurred as a direct result of that hazard

For example, footage may show that a shop floor was wet for a prolonged period without being cleaned or signposted — a key factor in proving liability.

Act Quickly: CCTV Footage Is Often Deleted

One of the most important things to understand is that CCTV footage is not kept indefinitely.

In many businesses, footage is automatically deleted within:

• 24 to 72 hours
• Up to 30 days (in some cases)

If no request is made within that timeframe, the footage may be permanently lost.

What You Should Do:

• Report the incident immediately to the premises or responsible party
• Request that CCTV footage is preserved
• Contact a solicitor as soon as possible

At Martin A. Harvey & Co., we can issue a formal request to secure the footage before it is erased.

Can You Access CCTV Footage Yourself?

Yes — under data protection law, you may request footage of yourself through a Subject Access Request (SAR).

However, there are some limitations:

• Other individuals in the footage may need to be blurred
• The business may refuse access if it affects third-party privacy
• The process can take time, and delays may risk deletion

For this reason, it is often more effective for a solicitor to request the footage as part of a legal claim.

You can learn more about your data rights at dataprotection.ie.

What If There Is No CCTV Footage?

While CCTV can be extremely valuable, not all claims rely on it. A strong case can still be built using:

• Medical reports
• Photographs of the scene
• Witness statements
• Incident reports
• Expert evidence

That said, where CCTV is available, it can significantly strengthen your position — particularly where liability is disputed.

How a Solicitor Helps Secure and Use CCTV Evidence

At Martin A. Harvey & Co., we take proactive steps to ensure CCTV evidence is obtained and used effectively:

• Identifying whether CCTV is likely to exist
• Requesting immediate preservation of footage
• Reviewing footage in detail to support your claim
• Using video evidence in PIAB applications or court proceedings
• Challenging opposing claims with objective visual proof

This level of detail can make a meaningful difference to the outcome of your case.

Injured in an Accident? Don’t Lose Crucial Evidence

If you’ve been involved in an accident in a public place, workplace, or on the road, CCTV footage could be one of the most important pieces of evidence in your claim.

But timing is critical. Once footage is deleted, it cannot be recovered.

Contact Martin A. Harvey & Co. Solicitors as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected and all available evidence is secured.

📞 +353 (0)21 4963400
📧 maharvey@martinharvey.ie

We’re here to guide you through your personal injury claim with experience, clarity, and a strong focus on results.