Union calls for review of PIAB

AN urgent review of Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) procedures as it affects industrial accidents, is being sought by the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU).

TEEU assistant general secretary Eamon Devoy said the new procedures are putting employees at a serious disadvantage vis a vis employers, especially in major injuries.

Mr Devoy was responding to comments earlier yesterday from Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) chief executive Michael Kemp, saying that overall compensation levels were still too high.

Mr Devoy said: “I believe very strongly that serious deficiencies exist in the new PIAB procedures regarding industrial and other workers that are not being adequately addressed.

“A further concern of the TEEU, which represents 37,000 craftworkers ... is that the existing procedures make no provision to rectify industrial hazards revealed by PIAB cases,” he said.

Since May 2004, an employee wishing to make a claim must apply to the PIAB filling in his own claim form, while under the old system, the claim was overseen by a solicitor.

If the claimant is not satisfied with the recommendations of the PIAB, he can pursue his claim through the courts system.

“However,” said Mr Devoy, “if the compensation awarded by the courts is less than that awarded by the PIAB this may have cost implications for the employee.”