Personal injury rates rise in Ireland
The number of
personal injury claims in Ireland has risen considerably in the first half of this year, according to recent figures. The Injuries Board released statistics showing that not only had the number of personal injury claims increased but the average award has also risen to over EU 20,000.
Injuryboard.ie (previously known as the Personal Injuries Assessment Board) remarked on a rise in the average value of awards made, from EU 22,057 in 2007 to EU 24,320 –an increase of EU 2,263. Between January and June this year, 4,652 cases were successful in their claims, winning a cumulative total of EU 113 million. The lowest award made was EU 1,000, while the highest was EU 519,784. Injuriesboard.ie chief executive Patricia Byron said that the sharp increase in the average amount awarded was due to the nature of the claims the board was assessing: "This was a direct result of a greater proportion of higher value claims being assessed by the board than previously."
The group revealed it had made its 20,000th award this year and that by the end of 2008, the cumulative amount of money it has awarded to claimants since 2004 would exceed half a billion euro.
The figures also revealed that 87% of all successful cases reviewed by the board had been awarded amounts under EU 38,000 which was in keeping with data released regarding awards made by courts.
Out of the claims made through Injuriesboard.ie in the first six months of the year, only 1% of successful claimants were awarded over EU 100,000, while 12% were awarded between EU 38,000 and EU 100,000, 21% were given between EU 20,000 and EU 30,000 and 52%, the majority, between EU 10,000 and EU 20,000. Only 7% were awarded a sum under EU 10,000.
Rates of personal injury claims have risen
In keeping with trends across the UK, the board said that the number of personal injury claims it has been processing have risen drastically over the last few years. The company itself have seen a rise in the number of awards made to 8,208 in 2007, compared to just 951 in 2005, reflecting the fact that consumers favour the no win no fee system as a route to justice, despite criticism it has received from certain parties recently. The value of the awards has also increased. In 2005, the total amount awarded was EU 16 million, while in 2007 this had risen to EU 181.04 million. 2008 looks like it will top that figure as the value of awards for the first half of the year has already reached EU 113 million.
Following her earlier remarks, Ms Byron continued, saying that the board is continuing to offer the best service possible by assessing personal injury claims quickly and with justice: "The Injuries Board‘s objective has always been to reduce the number of cases which went to litigation to around one third of the pre-board period. This objective is being met. In addition to the awards which the board makes, a similar number of claims are settled, facilitated by the board, but without recourse to our full assessment process."
The personal injury claims process in Ireland is slightly different to that in the UK. Except in the cae of medical negligence, any potential claimants have to submit any cases to the Injuriesboard, who are designed to represent and protect the insurance industry. This only applies to cases where there is no disputation over liability as the Injuriesboard does not hear cases itself. It will then approve the case for court proceedings, judging it by the documentary evidence given, for instance by items such as medical reports.Updated on 12/10/2008