Modest rise in new claims volumes in the first nine month of 2009
InjuriesBoard.ie, (the operating name for the Personal Injuries Assessment Board), today Monday, 2nd November 2009 released details of its work in the first six months of 2009.
During the period, assessments totaling €105 million were made in respect of 4,402 personal injury claimants. Motor accidents account for 73% of awards, public liability cases amount to 16% and accidents in the workplace generate 11%.
All personal injury claims in Ireland (excluding medical negligence) must be processed through InjuriesBoard.ie.
Commenting on the data released today, InjuriesBoard.ie Chief Executive, Patricia Byron, said that the volume of cases being dealt with by the Board has leveled off after a steady build up in the five years since 2004 when the Board was established. "The number of awards we will make this year will be in the line with our 2008 output", stated Ms. Byron.
The lowest and highest awards in the period were €1,000 and €493,902 respectively. The data released indicates that 88% of awards made by the Board are for less than €38,000, a figure which is in line with data on Court awards. The average time taken by InjuriesBoard.ie to make an assessment is just under seven months, a reduction of over two years on the prior adversarial claims model. The average award made by the Board in the first six months of 2009 was €23,932, marginally (1.6%) down on the average for the same period in 2008.
"In the first nine months of 2009, we have seen a modest increase of less than 4% in the volume of new claims. It is probably a reflection of the current economic climate that workplace accident claims in this period are down 3% on the same period last year. Motor and public liability claims are up by 6% and 3% respectively" Ms. Byron concluded.
By mid-year, InjuriesBoard.ie was well on track to deliver total cost savings for the year of over €100million (target: €40m in direct savings plus €60m by facilitating early settlements).
Ends Monday, 2nd November 2009
For reference:
InjuriesBoard.ie
Gerry Naughton 01 4634565 / 086 803 2891
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