I am thinking about making a compensation claim but wanted to know how long do injury claims take?
How long do injury claims take? It is true to say that claims now takes much less time to process than they have in the past. Before 2003 –the year the Injuries Board Ireland was established – insurance companies had every reason to suspend proceedings for as long a time as possible. Many cases were settled just minutes before a hearing was due to take place, in the court house. The insurance company could also expect to delay paying compensation for years, since there was such a large backlog of cases.
However, when a plaintiff asks now “how long do injury claims take?” they are often pleasantly surprised to hear that the Injuries Board Ireland aims to respond to most claims within nine months and that a fixed time limit has been introduced, for the insurance companies to negotiate a settlement. During the nine month period, your solicitor will negotiate with the insurance company and it is possible that your solicitor will complete a claim at this stage. Even after the Injuries Board’s assessment has been made, your solicitor can continue to negotiate with the insurers.
Only a small number of all claims are settled for the amount recommended by the Injuries Board; most cases are settled by out of court negotiations between your solicitor and the insurance company.