Most personal injury claims in Ireland must be submitted to the Injuries Resolution Board before court proceedings can be issued, unless the claim has already settled directly with the other party or their insurer.
Injured.ie is operated by Lalloo Solicitors, a Dublin law firm advising clients in personal injury and litigation matters. This page explains, in general terms, how the Injuries Resolution Board process works and how a solicitor may assist.
What is the Injuries Resolution Board?
The Injuries Resolution Board is the statutory body that deals with many personal injury claims in Ireland before court proceedings are issued. It was previously known as the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, or PIAB.
The Board assesses claims and may also offer mediation in suitable cases. The process is separate from court proceedings, although an authorisation from the Board may be required before a personal injury claim can proceed to court.
Do personal injury claims have to go through the Board?
In many personal injury matters, an application must be made to the Injuries Resolution Board unless the claim has already settled at an early stage with the other party or their insurer.
If the claim is not resolved through the Board process, an authorisation may be issued. This authorisation may allow the claimant to issue court proceedings, subject to legal advice and the circumstances of the case.
Related information is available from our Personal Injury Solicitors, Road Accidents, Accidents at Work, Footpath Accidents and Supermarket Accidents pages.
What information is needed for an application?
An Injuries Resolution Board application will usually require key information about the claimant, the respondent, the accident, the injuries and the evidence available.
Information and documents may include:
- completed application details;
- the claimant’s details;
- the respondent’s name and address;
- the date and location of the accident;
- a short description of what happened;
- a medical report or medical evidence;
- details of special damages or financial losses;
- accident reports, photographs or witness details where available;
- relevant correspondence from insurers or other parties.
The exact information needed will depend on the type of claim and the facts.
Application fees and medical report
The Injuries Resolution Board currently states that the claimant application fee is €45 for an online application or €90 where the application is submitted by email or post.
A completed medical report from a doctor is normally required. The treating doctor may charge a fee for completing the report.
This page is for general information only. The current application requirements and fees should be checked before an application is submitted.
Medical reports and evidence
Medical evidence is usually central to the Injuries Resolution Board process. A medical report may be required from a treating doctor, consultant or other medical professional.
It is important that injuries, symptoms, treatment, recovery and prognosis are properly recorded. In some cases, further medical reports or specialist evidence may be needed before the claim can be assessed or resolved.
What happens after the application is submitted?
After an application is submitted, the Injuries Resolution Board notifies the respondent. The respondent is the person, company or organisation against whom the claim is made.
The respondent, often through an insurer, may agree to assessment, mediation, both, or may not consent to the Board dealing with the claim.
If the respondent does not consent to the Board process, an authorisation may issue, subject to the Board’s procedures and the circumstances of the case.
What is mediation?
The Injuries Resolution Board may offer mediation as part of its process. Mediation is a way of trying to resolve a claim by agreement. It may not be suitable for every case.
A solicitor can advise on whether mediation is appropriate, what information should be available before mediation and whether any proposed resolution should be accepted.
What is an assessment?
An assessment is the Board’s assessment of the claim. It may consider the nature of the injury, the medical evidence, the recovery period, special damages and other relevant information.
The assessment does not guarantee that the matter will resolve. The parties may have to decide whether to accept or reject the assessment. Legal advice can be important before making that decision.
What happens if the assessment is accepted?
If the assessment is accepted by the relevant parties, the claim may resolve through the Board process. The next practical steps will depend on the terms of the assessment, the parties involved and any further documentation required.
What happens if the claim does not resolve?
If the claim does not resolve through the Board process, the Board may issue an authorisation. An authorisation may permit court proceedings to be issued, subject to legal advice and the facts of the case.
Court proceedings involve separate rules, time limits, pleadings, evidence and litigation costs. Legal advice should be taken before deciding whether to issue proceedings. Our guide to Legal Costs in Personal Injury Claims provides further general information.
When should a solicitor be involved?
A person is not required to have a solicitor for every step of the Injuries Resolution Board process. However, many people choose to take legal advice where liability, medical evidence, special damages, loss of earnings, future symptoms, settlement value, mediation, assessment or court proceedings may be in issue.
A solicitor may assist with:
- identifying the correct respondent;
- preparing the application;
- reviewing medical evidence;
- gathering documents and photographs;
- considering special damages;
- dealing with insurer correspondence;
- advising on mediation;
- advising on assessment;
- advising on acceptance or rejection of an assessment;
- advising on whether court proceedings may be required.
How Lalloo Solicitors can assist
Lalloo Solicitors can advise clients on personal injury claims, Injuries Resolution Board applications, medical reports, liability issues, special damages, settlement discussions and court proceedings where required.
If you wish to contact the office, you can provide a short summary of what happened. No solicitor-client relationship arises unless Lalloo Solicitors confirms its appointment in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Select a question below to read the answer.
What is the Injuries Resolution Board?
The Injuries Resolution Board is the statutory body that deals with many personal injury claims in Ireland before court proceedings are issued. It was previously known as the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, or PIAB.
Do I need a solicitor to apply to the Injuries Resolution Board?
A person is not required to have a solicitor for every step of the process. However, many people choose to take legal advice where liability, medical evidence, special damages, loss of earnings, settlement value, mediation or court proceedings may be in issue.
What documents are usually needed for an application?
An application will usually require details of the accident, the parties involved, medical evidence and information about losses or expenses. Photographs, witness details, accident reports and insurer correspondence may also be relevant.
What is Injuries Resolution Board mediation?
Mediation is a process offered by the Injuries Resolution Board in suitable cases to try to resolve a claim by agreement. It may not be suitable for every case.
What is an Injuries Resolution Board assessment?
An assessment is the Board’s assessment of the claim. The parties may then have to decide whether to accept or reject the assessment.
What happens if the claim is not resolved by the Board?
If the claim does not resolve through the Board process, the Board may issue an authorisation. This may allow the claimant to issue court proceedings, subject to legal advice and the facts of the case.
Does contacting Injured.ie create a solicitor-client relationship?
No. A solicitor-client relationship does not arise unless Lalloo Solicitors confirms its appointment in writing.
Further information is available in our Legal Updates section and our guide to Fatal Injury Claims.
Official resources
The following official resources may be useful for general information about the Injuries Resolution Board process. They are external sources and should not be treated as legal advice on an individual case.
- Injuries Resolution Board — Making a Claim
- Injuries Resolution Board — FAQs
- Injuries Resolution Board — Mediation
- Department of Enterprise — Personal Injuries Resolution Board
General information notice: This page is provided for general information only and is not legal advice. Legal advice should be taken in relation to individual circumstances. Injured.ie is operated by Lalloo Solicitors, Alexandra House, 3 Ballsbridge Park, Dublin 4. In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.