Claims figures stabilising after COVID – IRB
Claims submitted to the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB) rose by 3% last year to 20,837, according the body’s annual report.
With the number of claims applications close to the 20,000 mark for the last four years, compared with a steady 30,000 a year in the pre-COVID years, the board says that the figure has stabilised and indicates “a very changed environment” for claims.
The 2024 figures were lifted by the impact of a full year of claims under the Garda Compensation Scheme, which came under the board’s remit in April 2023.
“Factors such as the introduction of the Personal Injuries Guidelines in April 2021 are likely to have had a lasting impact on the volume and nature of claims submitted,” the report states.
Acceptance rate up
The report shows that the IRB awarded €168 million in compensation last year – down slightly from €170 million the previous year, but almost 40% lower than the pre-COVID figure from 2019.
The percentage of respondents consenting to IRB assessment or mediation held broadly steady at 70%, while the acceptance rate climbed from 48% to 50%.
The IRB estimates that it saved €76 million last year due to claims not proceeding to litigation in the courts.
The highest award made by the board last year was €634,875, the lowest €69.
Median award up 12%
A breakdown of applications shows a 4% increase in motor-liability claims since 2023, with a 5% drop in employer liability. The number of public-liability claims was unchanged from the previous year.
The median award value last year was €13,100 – up 12% compared with 2023 but 29% lower than the 2020 figure of €18,549.
The IRB attributes the year-on-year increase to a gradual shift in the profile of cases it assesses, which includes a higher proportion of more severe injuries.
The changes in median awards in all categories compared with 2023 were:
- Motor liability €12,541 (up 17%),
- Employer liability €16,255 (down 2%), and
- Public liability €13,660 (up 10%).
The median award for all three categories, however, was down around 30% compared with the 2020 figure.
The motor sector accounted for almost 60% of claims and almost 70% of awards last year.
Inflation affects special damages
The IRB report says that the Personal Injuries Guidelines have led to a 29% drop in the median award for general damages (pain and suffering) compared with the 2020 pre-guidelines figure.
The median award for special damages, which cover financial losses such as loss of earnings and medical expenses, has jumped by 26% from 2020 due to high inflation. Special damages are not covered by the guidelines.
During the year, the IRB introduced its mediation service for motor and public-liability claims. It says that the initial opt-in rate among claimants is 35%.
On average, so far, mediated claims are resolved within three months, according to the board.
This compares with an average of 11.2 months to assess a claim last year.