Insurance Ireland has warned that the RTE Investigates series, Accident Prone: Personal Injury Claims in Ireland, shows the societal impacts of increased injury claims and the urgent need for a strong policy response.

The report’s key findings shows that the number of PIAB applications increased by 42% from 2007 to 2017, from 23,345 to 33,114. Even after adjusting for population growth over that period, this was an increase from 2007 to 2017 of 26%, in terms of applications per capita.

In 2007, 13,854 personal injury cases were lodged in the High Court and Circuit Court. In 2016, there were 20,740, a 50% increase from 2007.  Adjusting for population, the trend is still upwards, from 3,268 cases (per 1,000,000 people) in 2007, to 4,355 in 2016, a 33% increase.

Furthermore, the report finds a minor finger fracture could result in an award of only around €4,700 in the UK, but is potentially worth up to €16,600 in Ireland. 

Insurance Ireland has warned that the increasing costs of personal injury claims are having severe societal impacts including on individuals, businesses and Local Authorities.

The organisation says the rising costs are a real concern with Local Authorities paying out €387 million in compensation claims from 2012-2017, money which comes at the expense of local services.
 
Speaking this week, CEO of Insurance Ireland, Kevin Thompson said, "While the impacts on motor insurance of high claims costs are well known, this research raises important questions about the cost of injury claims and whether society can sustain these increases. To address it, the benchmarking of Irish awards with other countries by the Personal Injuries Commission needs to be followed through on with a decisive policy response. Ultimately, the growing cost of personal injury claims is not sustainable and is a major societal issue which must be addressed by Government as a matter of priority."

Source: www.businessworld.ie