Personal Injury

If you have suffered an injury that was someone else’s fault, it may be possible for you to bring a compensation claim.   

Because personal injury and illness can have a dramatic and sometimes life-changing impact on the person injured, it is important that you take legal advice at an early stage from a solicitor who has the appropriate expertise and will provide you with the most informed advice. 

Important to note that, apart from certain limited exceptions, a claim must be filed/legal proceedings issued within two years of the accident and in the event you do not file your claim or issue legal proceedings within that time, you will be prevented from taking your case.

Belgard has extensive experience in successfully dealing with personal injury claims and we have a high rate of success in helping individuals successfully settle claims for many different types of personal injuries.

We aim to secure the best possible award for your claim, while at the same time making the process as clear and straightforward for you as possible and we pride ourselves on our down-to-earth and helpful approach.

Our team has expertise in the following areas:

  • Road Traffic Accident Claims;
  • Pedestrian Road Accidents;
  • Untraced/uninsured Motorist Road Accident Claims;
  • Whiplash Injury Compensation Claims;
  • Serious Injury Claims;
  • Accident at Work Claims; and
  • Home and Personal Injury Claims (i.e., faulty product or service provider).

While our offices are located in Dublin, our personal injuries department is established in a manner that allows us to carry out the majority of the work by post, email or telephone which is most convenient for our clients. 

Initially, we will arrange a consultation with you to gather all relevant information to the event, and then Belgard will discuss your options with you and agree on the process best suited to you given the level of injury sustained and resulting medical needs. 

For a step-by-step guide to the personal injury procedure in Ireland, please click here*.

If you would like more information or would like to set up a consultation with one of our Personal Injuries team, please submit an enquiry via the form on the right and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you.

  • Solicitor for the claimant submits a claim to the Injuries board.
  • Injuries Board will contact the claimant and ask them if they will consent to Injuries Board assessing compensation.
  • If the claimant refuses, the Injuries Board will send the claimant an authorisation that effectively allows the claimant to commence court proceedings.
  • If the claimant consents to an authorisation being made, the Injuries Board will assess the claim and arrive at what they deem an appropriate amount of compensation.
  • This is sent to both sides and if both are in agreement, the Injuries Board will issue an Order to Pay to the Defendant, which the Defendant will have to comply with.
  • If either party rejects the assessment, the Injuries Board will issue to the injured party an authorisation and will close their file on the matter.

  • To issue court proceedings, the solicitor must arrive at a value for your claim.  The value will determine which court legal proceedings will be taken.
  • On many occasions, the case will settle before the full hearing.  The defendants may open discussions with your solicitor and a sum may be offered. 
  • Belgard will discuss with you your options and the predicted outcome of your case and if we would recommend accepting the offer. 
    • If the case proceeds, each side will be represented by a barrister and evidence is placed before the court such as medical reports and any other relevant documentation as well as oral testimony.
  • The Judge will then decide whether or not compensation is to be awarded.  The unsuccessful party will generally pay the costs.

 

  • If the court does award compensation, it is divided into two separate categories:
    • special damages which include all expenses incurred as a result of the accident, i.e., medical expenses, future potential earnings, etc.; and
    • general damages which take into account the pain and suffering that resulted from the accident and is calculated based on the severity of the injuries and the prognosis of the claimant for the future.

After the award of damages, compensation is generally made payable by the defendant within two months of the court case.

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