Data from the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB) reveals a sharp decrease in personal injury claims across various categories since 2021, prompting questions about why insurance premiums continue to rise.
A recent report from the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB) reveals a significant decrease in personal injury claims across various categories since the introduction of judicial guidelines in 2021. Data indicates a 40% decline in claim volumes between 2019 and 2023, with the trend continuing into 2024. The total value of public liability claims has also dropped by 37% during the same period.
The IRB, formerly known as the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, is a State body established to facilitate the resolution of personal injury claims outside of court. It handles claims related to road traffic accidents, public liability incidents, and workplace injuries. The judicial guidelines implemented in 2021 resulted in reduced damages awarded for less severe injuries while increasing compensation for catastrophic injuries. It was anticipated that this policy change would lead to a decrease in insurance premiums.The report highlights a substantial reduction in public liability claims across numerous sectors of the economy, including cafes, hotels, and restaurants (down over 50%), shops (down 44%), and the sports and athletic sector (down 38%). However, there was a notable increase of 22% in claims involving residential institutions, primarily stemming from fatal incidents in long-term care facilities during the pandemic. Despite concerns about high public liability premiums in the childcare sector, the IRB's research found a remarkably low volume of claims over a five-year period, with only 256 claims reported between 2019 and 2023, despite nearly 170,000 children enrolled in childcare in 2020/2021 alone. The report also reveals a concerning trend in assault claims. Claims involving assaults on visitors to businesses and public places increased by 10% in 2022 and another 10% in 2023. A similar pattern was observed in workplace claims, with a 9% rise in assault-related claims in 2023. Cafes, hotels, and restaurants were the most affected sectors for assault claims against visitors, often involving security staff or allegations of contributory negligence due to overcrowding or inadequate security. Workplace assault claims predominantly originated from the healthcare sector. Furthermore, the report highlights the vulnerability of older individuals, with those aged 65 and over (approximately 15% of the population) accounting for 31% of outdoor fall claims, and 60% of claims within this demographic involving moderate to serious injuries. Uneven footpaths were responsible for almost half (€9 million) of the total payouts related to outdoor falls.
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS INSURANCE PREMIUMS JUDICIAL GUIDELINES INJURIES RESOLUTION BOARD PUBLIC LIABILITY WORKPLACE INJURIES ASSAULT CLAIMS OUTDOOR FALLS
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