The InjuriesBoard.ie is one of multiple Web sites developed by Injuries Board Ireland to deal with some of the most common types of personal injuries claims.
The InjuriesBoard.ie home page design is well designed and clear for first time visitors. The InjuriesBoard.ie resisted the temptation to fill it with too much information. The focus of the home page InjuriesBoards.ie is clearly to direct first time visitors to relevant information for claimants and respondents.
The InjuriesBoard.ie Web site has a very interesting feature called The Estimator that allows site visitors see the Book of Quantum estimates for different type of injuries. However, it looks like the award amounts have not been updated in some time because they appear low compared with awards currently reported by solicitors. The Estimator does not clearly explain the factors that impact the size of injury compensation awards, such as ongoing medical expenses or loss of earnings.
The InjuriesBoard.ie Web site does not explain in any way the rights in relation to getting help from a solicitor in making a claim. In fact, the entire topic of legal representation seems to be avoided as much as possible. The difficult issue of O’Byrne letters is also not covered in a way that you might expect. Given the complexity and potential pitfalls of such letters, the advice on InjuriesBoard.ie in relation to these difficult litigation letters is completely inadequate. It could be considered negligent that there is no warning to seek legal advice before attempting to write such an important legal letter.
There is no clear information about the types of personal injury claims where a solicitor is always required. For example, it is not clearly explained that a solicitor is required for children’s injury claims, such as playground accident claims or school accident claims because such settlements must be approved in court.
The InjuriesBoard.ie Web site does not clearly explain when it is not possible to use the services of InjuriesBoard.ie, such as medical negligence claims.
The clear focus of the InjuriesBoard.ie Web site is information and not advice, with no warnings about potential difficulties with making a claim without the help of a solicitor. For example, the entire issue of contributory negligence is completely ignored, probably because InjuriesBoard.ie cannot deal with such cases.
The focus of InjuriesBoard.ie is clearly personal injury claims, road traffic accident claims, and injuries at work. However, there is very little information about specific types of injury claims in the areas it does cover. So, for example, while injuries at work is mentioned, there is no information about construction accident claims or farm accident claims.