Appellate court rejects lawsuit over 2012 church ramp accident in Limassol

The Cyprus Appellate Court has dismissed an appeal filed by a woman seeking damages for injuries sustained during a fall at the Panagia Tricherousa Church in Limassol. The incident occurred on January 8, 2012, when the woman slipped while exiting the church via a northern ramp after attending a Sunday service. She suffered a serious spinal injury and subsequently filed a lawsuit claiming the ramp was unsafe, citing improper materials such as glossy granite and a lack of handrails.

The court unanimously upheld the original decision, ruling that the plaintiff failed to provide sufficient or credible evidence to prove that the church was liable for the accident. Although both parties had previously agreed on a potential settlement of €29,985 in the event that liability was established, the court concluded that no negligence regarding the construction or maintenance of the ramp was proven. Following the dismissal, the court ordered the appellant to pay €2,400 in legal costs, plus VAT.

This ruling concludes a nearly 15-year legal dispute regarding safety standards for public access at the religious site. There are no further appeals mentioned as part of the legal process in the current reports.