Personal injury claims decline despite high employment levels and rising traffic
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Personal injury claims dropped significantly last year, reflecting a major fall since 2019 despite high employment levels and a return to pre-pandemic traffic volumes.
The latest award values report from the Injuries Resolution Board found that claims for accidents in workplaces, businesses and public spaces fell by 40%, while motor claims decreased by 30% in 2024.
It also reported a 5% reduction in workplace injury claims last year, compared to 2023, while claims for accidents in businesses and public spaces remained unchanged from 2023.
Speaking on the report, the board said it "highlighted stability in sectors which have identified insurance cost and availability as crucial," particularly SMEs.
In 2024, 20,318 personal injury claim applications were submitted to the Injuries Resolution Board for road traffic accidents, workplace accidents and public-setting accidents, an increase of just 1% on 2023 figures.
In addition, average and median award values have decreased from 2020 levels, following the introduction of the Personal Injuries Guidelines in 2021. According to the report, the median award value decreased by 29% from €18,422 in 2020 to €13,000 in 2024.
Meanwhile, the average award value decreased by 21% from €23,877 in 2020 to €18,967 in 2024.
On an annual basis, however, the median award value increased by 12%, with the average award also rising by 4%.
"This increase reflects the changing profile of injuries within claims, with the Board now assessing and resolving more complex injury cases," it said.
In 2024, one in five assessments related to moderate severity injuries, compared to one in eight in 2021.
Speaking on the publication of the report, Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, said: “I welcome the Injuries Resolution Board’s latest report which again shows strong evidence for the impact that the Board has in offering a cost effective and expedient solution for settling claims and reducing the need to go to court thereby saving millions of euros that would have been spent on legal fees.
"As personal injuries claims continue to fall in both volume and value, I expect to see this reflected in both the cost and the availability of insurance premiums for citizens and businesses."
The percentage of assessments being accepted by both Claimants and Respondents reached 50% in 2024, up from 48% in 2023 and 44% in 2022, meaning more cases are being resolved through the Board’s services rather than proceeding through litigation.
The highest award in 2024 was for a workplace claim at €592,225, where a worker sustained severe injuries.
"Public liability and employer liability claims have decreased by over 40%, and in 2024, there was no increase in public liability claims and a 5% decrease in employer liability claims," said Rosalind Carroll, CEO of the Injuries Resolutions Board.
"This is an important trend given the historical challenges in the affordability and availability of insurance in these areas.
The Personal Injuries Guidelines were introduced in 2021 to provide certainty and consistency in award values. Since they were introduced, we have assessed over 30,000 claims using the Guidelines."
