Injury board offers rise 600% to €115.3m

AWARDS to accident victims by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board soared by 600% to €115.3m last year.

The PIAB made a total of 5,573 offers of compensation to injured parties in 2006, according to its latest annual report. However, only 3,404 settlement offers made by the PIAB — 61% of all awards — were accepted, resulting in a total of €66.7m being paid out in compensation.

Under Irish law, all claims for personal injury, excluding medical negligence, must be submitted to the PIAB. However, claimants and insurance companies can reject the PIAB award and pursue a case through the courts.