Injury Claims in Ireland

The objective of these articles on injury claims in Ireland is to provide you with useful advice that explains some of the important issues. As well as providing a general understanding about injury claims, the articles provide specific information about making an injury claim in Ireland.

Making Injury Claims

Do I have an personal injury claim?
Your solicitor will consider a very wide range of issues that determine if you have a personal injury claim in Ireland. However, the good news is that in most cases, you will be able to get a preliminary answer by considering the most important facts – the presence of actual injuries or damages, negligence, and contributory negligence.

How much is my injury claim worth?
The most important factor is usually the medical report on your injuries that your doctor produces and an experienced solicitor can usually give a general indication of the amount of compensation you are likely to receive. However, it is often difficult even for experienced solicitors to give you an immediate estimate of the value of your injury claim in Ireland because there are so many factors involved in calculating the amount of a claim.

Do I have to go to court for my injury claim?
The legal courts are usually the option of last resort in personal injury litigation. It is highly unlikely that you will have to make a court appearance. This only really happens when the facts are in dispute or your solicitor thinks that a settlement offer is too low.

How is the value of a personal injury claim assessed?
The amount of compensation paid for a personal injury depends on a wide range of factors, including liability and contributory negligence, trauma suffered, medical special damages, the type of injury, prognosis for the future, past medical history, severity and persistence of pain suffered, impairment of quality of life, and loss of earnings.

Is it too late to make an injury claim?
The rules have recently been changed to allow just two years to make a personal injury claim. However, there are some notable exceptions and the way the two years are calculated depends on a number of factors.

What is contributory negligence?
Many accidents are the result of multiple contributory factors. This makes the question of negligence complicated and sometimes the victim of an accident has also contributed in some way to the accident.

What Questions will a Doctor and Solicitor ask me about my Injuries?
You doctor will need to know everything relevant to both the short term and long treatment of your injuries. You solicitor will need your medical records to show the extent of your injuries and the likely impact on future activities and earnings.

Common Types of Injury Claims

Personal Injury Claims
The issues your solicitor will consider when evaluating your personal injury claim include the existence of an actual injury, negligence, liability, statute of limitations, and a wide range of related issues. Read more about personal injury claims.

Road Traffic Accident Claims
Most people do not do everything they should do when they have a traffic accident. Obviously, you should always have treatment for your injuries before even thinking about contacting a solicitor about injury claims. However, there are several things that you should do at the scene of the accident if at all possible. Read more about road traffic accident claims. See also pedestrian accident claims, bicycle accident claims, bus accident claims, motorbike accident claims, car accident injury claims, passengers in car accidents, rear-end car accidents.

Claims for Injuries at Work
Accidents at work are fairly common. It is often a very delicate matter for employees to claim for injuries sustained while at work. You should always report injuries and get medical help immediately. However, you should probably always speak with a solicitor before approaching your employer about possible injury claims. Read more about claims for injuries at work, farm accident claims, forklift accident claims, and construction accident claims.

Child Injury Claims
The rules in Ireland are different for children, who are considered ‘infants’ up to the age of 18 years, at which point the Statute of Limitations two year deadline begins. Read more about Child Injury Claims. See also Playground Accident Claims, School Accident Claims, and Child Accident Claims .

Whiplash Injury Claims
Whiplash injuries are the most common injury from car accidents. They also occur in other situations such as sporting accidents or even simple slips and trips. Whiplash injuries are very difficult to diagnose but usually result in a full recovery after several weeks. You need to ensure that you discuss all your symptoms with your doctor so that your medical records are accurate. Read more about whiplash injury claims.

Medical Negligence Claims
Medical negligence claims are without doubt one of the most difficult types of compensation claims to pursue because so many medical malpractice incidents are simply unavoidable and are outside the control of doctors. You need to be able to prove that correct procedures have not been followed or an avoidable misdiagnosis has been made or that there has simply been human error. Read more about medical negligence claims and hospital negligence claims.

Defamation Claims
Defamation in Ireland is generally accepted as being the publication or broadcast of a false statement that subjects the targeted person to hatred, ridicule, or contempt. The statements must be completely untrue and have damaged the reputation of the victim.