When Do I Need to Claim for Personal Injury Compensation?

Common Questions | by Simon McGarr

In Ireland, there are rules about when you must make injury claims, and how to make those claims.

In general, a personal injuries claim, (i.e., where you have suffered injuries as a result of an accident or event, must be started within two years from the date of the accident. After that time period, any claim arising from the accident is barred. This is known as the Statute of Limitations. It is important to note that you cannot pursue a personal injuries action through the courts without first submitting your claim to the InjuriesBoard.ie process. The Injuries Board is also known as the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (“PIAB”).

However, there are some exceptions to the two-year rule:

  • If any of the injured parties were minors (under the age of 18) when the accident occurred;
  • If you did not know, or could not have reasonably known, that you were injured;
  • If you did not know, or could not have reasonably known, who injured you.
  • If you lodge an injuries claim with PIAB and receive a letter of acknowledgment, within the two year period, time stops running against you until PIAB issues an authorisation to go to court; then it starts up again.

You are welcome to fill out our free Personal Injury Assessment form online, and we’ll be happy to get back to you with information about where your case falls within the time limits and exceptions for various filings.

Information taken in part from CitizensInformation.ie on the 15th of August, 2009.