A serious injury claim looks at the long term: care, income, housing and the support a person will need for years to come.
This page explains how these claims run in Ireland, whether the injury came from a road crash, a work accident or medical treatment.
Each page below explains how the injury usually happens, the medical evidence the claim relies on and the losses it can include.
Contact us through our enquiry form, phone, or email. We’ll review your situation, answer your questions, and explain what to expect next. There’s no upfront fee to begin your claim.
Your case will be carefully reviewed by our legal team.
We assess the strength of your claim, advise on the documentation needed, and guide you through key steps such as attending an independent medical examination and preparing the information required for the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB).
Once you decide to move forward, we take care of everything. This includes gathering evidence, contacting the other party or their insurer, submitting your claim to the IRB, managing settlement discussions, and handling any court proceedings if needed.
Paul Kearney founded the practice and leads its personal injury work in Ireland. He is regulated by the Law Society of Ireland. Read Paul's profile.
We prepare your application to the Injuries Resolution Board, including the medical evidence, and advise you on any assessment before you decide whether to accept it.
You can meet us at any of our four offices, or deal with us by phone, email or video, wherever you live in Ireland.
There are no upfront fees. Before you go ahead, we set out in writing how legal costs work, as section 150 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 requires. No Win No Fee explained.
It depends on how the injury happened. Claims from road crashes, work accidents and falls in public places must go to the Injuries Resolution Board first; read how the Injuries Resolution Board works.
Medical negligence claims do not go to the Board.
They are brought in the courts, often the High Court, and many settle along the way, often at mediation.
It can, but the law lets it step back. Under section 17 of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003, the Board may decline to assess a claim that is too complex, for example where several injuries interact.
Under section 49A, where a long-term prognosis is not yet available, it can wait for a further medical examination, and if either side does not agree to it carrying on, it issues an authorisation so the claim can go to court.
Because its value depends on the long-term outlook, and that takes time to become clear.
Doctors usually need to see how far a person recovers through rehabilitation before they can say what care, equipment, therapy and housing will be needed for life. Settling before then risks fixing the figure before those needs are known.
It is an order under which part of the compensation is paid as regular, index-linked payments for life instead of a single lump sum.
Under the Civil Liability (Amendment) Act 2017, in force since 1 October 2018, the court can make one where a person has a "catastrophic injury", defined as a permanent disability that needs lifelong care and help with all, or a substantial part, of the activities of daily living.
The payments can cover future care, medical treatment and assistive technology, and future loss of earnings if both sides agree in writing.
They are adjusted each year by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, and before making the order the court weighs the injured person's needs, interests and preferences.
Under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, in force since 26 April 2023, an adult is presumed to have capacity, and capacity is judged one decision at a time.
Where an adult cannot make a decision about the claim even with support, the Circuit Court can appoint a decision-making representative. New applications to make an adult a ward of court ended on 26 April 2023.
General damages for the injury itself, set by the Personal Injuries Guidelines, plus the financial losses in addition.
These usually include past and future care, case management, rehabilitation and therapy, equipment, home and vehicle adaptations, and past and future loss of earnings and pension. Read what you need to know about serious injury claims in Ireland.
Most serious injury claims that do not settle are heard in the High Court, which deals with personal injury claims above the Circuit Court limit of €60,000.
Most claims settle before a full hearing, and a settlement for a child must be approved by the court.
Two years from the date of the injury, or from the date you knew about it if later, under the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991.
For a child, the two years start on their 18th birthday, and time does not run while a person lacks capacity.
For road and work claims, you must also write to the person at fault within one month, under section 8 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004.
No. There are no upfront fees. Before you go ahead, we give you clear written terms explaining how legal costs work, as section 150 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 requires. Read No Win No Fee explained.
Regulated by the Law Society of Ireland
Kearney Law handles only personal injury and clinical negligence claims.
We act for clients across Ireland, including Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Letterkenny. See all the areas we cover.
Contact us to talk to a solicitor about your claim, or request a case review.
Email: [email protected]
Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm
Friday 9am – 5pm
