Injuries Resolution Board made compensation awards worth €168m in 2024

Chief executive Rosalind Carroll says report shows using the service significantly faster than pursuing claims through courts. 

Injuries Resolution Board chief executive Rosalind Carroll said for liability claims under €150,000, the average compensation was €26,177 through the board versus €26,384 through litigation showing no substantial difference in awards. 

The Injuries Resolution Board dealt with more than 20,000 claims submitted in 2024, awarding €168m in compensation, its annual report published on Wednesday said.

The board is the independent state body which resolves personal injury claims. The 2024 report showed 20,837 claims were submitted, up 3% on the previous year. It estimates that €76m in costs was saved in 2024 by claims not proceeding to litigation.

Motor liability made up the bulk of claims dealt with (69%), and the overall number of motor claims was up 4% on 2023.  Claims for employer liability made up 17% of claims while public liability claims were 13%. The new garda compensation scheme (2%) was added to the overall portfolio of claims the board deals with in 2024, with over 500 personal injury claims.

The highest award made by the board was €634,875 while the lowest was €69. 

Injuries Resolution Board chief executive Rosalind Carroll said the report shows the benefits for claimants using the board’s services, with a quicker timeframe of just over two years compared with almost six years when pursuing claims through the courts. 

"For liability claims under €150,000, the average compensation was €26,177 through the Board versus €26,384 through litigation showing that there is no substantial difference in awards between the courts and the Injuries Resolution Board. However, average legal fees were significantly lower through the Injuries Resolution Board, at €597, compared to litigation, which was €24,786," said Ms Carroll.

Over 20 years, the board has made nearly 200,000 assessments for compensation, resulting in over €4bn awarded, and savings of €1.2bn in legal costs.