Compensation totalling €217 million was awarded in respect of 8,845 personal injury claimants last year, Injuriesboard.ie, formerly the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, said today.
In its review of 2008, the independent Government body said the reduction in legal processing costs has resulted in savings of between €200 million and €250 million to the economy since mid 2004.
The review found that the number of claims in the sub €38,000 range rose by a modest 4 per cent in 2008. In contrast, the number of awards associated with more serious cases - over €38,000 range - rose by 47 per cent, with the number of awards over €100,000 rising by 87 per cent.
The average value of awards under €38,000 rose by 3.1 per cent while those over €38,000 rose on average by 4.7 per cent. The figure of €38,000 is the upper limit on cases dealt with in the Circuit Court. The overall average award increased from €22,054 to €24,552.
The review also found the volume of high-value claims, associated with complex or serious personal injuries, is increasing.
Commenting on the data the chief executive of Injuriesboard.ie Patricia Byron said: "We have now made over 23,500 awards since we opened our doors in 2004, amounting to almost €530 million in compensation.
“By delivering these awards four times faster and with a low administration charge, the Injuriesboard.ie model has delivered direct and indirect savings of between €200 million and €250 million to the economy.
“At a time when the country is facing enormous challenges, the need to maintain and, if possible, expand these savings was never greater,” she added.
