Personal Injury Claims Solicitors

Comprehensive Personal Injury Claims Services

Suffering a personal injury can be a life-changing experience. Whether you've been involved in a road traffic accident, injured at work, or harmed due to medical negligence, the physical, emotional, and financial impact can be overwhelming. In the aftermath of an injury, you need more than just medical treatment—you need expert legal representation to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the full compensation you're entitled to under Irish law.

At Gary Matthews Solicitors, our dedicated team of personal injury claims solicitors has extensive experience handling all types of personal injury claims. We combine deep legal knowledge with genuine compassion for our clients, providing professional yet personal service throughout your claim journey. We understand that every injury case is unique, and we tailor our approach to your specific circumstances, ensuring you receive the individual attention and expert representation you deserve.

Understanding Personal Injury Claims in Ireland

A personal injury claim is a legal process through which you seek compensation (damages) for injuries you've suffered due to someone else's negligence, breach of duty, or wrongful act. In Ireland, the personal injury claims system aims to provide financial compensation to injured parties, helping them cope with medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and the long-term impact of their injuries.

To succeed in a personal injury claim, you must establish that another party owed you a duty of care, that they breached this duty through negligence or wrongful conduct, and that this breach directly caused your injuries and resulting losses. While these legal principles might sound straightforward, proving each element requires careful evidence gathering, expert testimony, and skilled legal argumentation—which is where experienced personal injury solicitors become invaluable.

The Injuries Board (PIAB) Process

In Ireland, most personal injury claims (with the notable exception of medical negligence claims) must first be submitted to the Injuries Board, also known as PIAB (Personal Injuries Assessment Board). The Injuries Board was established to provide a faster, more cost-effective alternative to court proceedings for straightforward personal injury claims.

Here's how the PIAB process works: Your solicitor submits an application to the Injuries Board along with a detailed medical report documenting your injuries. The Injuries Board assesses your claim and makes a compensation offer based on the Book of Quantum (official guidelines for personal injury compensation). Both you and the other party can accept or reject the Injuries Board's assessment. If either party rejects the assessment, the Injuries Board issues an Authorization to proceed to court. Once you have this Authorization, you can pursue your claim through the courts if necessary.

While the PIAB process might seem straightforward, having experienced legal representation is crucial even at this stage. We ensure your application is complete and compelling, obtain comprehensive medical reports that accurately reflect your injuries, provide expert advice on whether to accept or reject the PIAB assessment, and prepare your case for court proceedings if the PIAB route doesn't yield fair compensation.

Types of Personal Injury Claims We Handle

Road Traffic Accidents

Road traffic accidents are among the most common causes of personal injuries in Ireland. Whether you've been injured as a driver, passenger, motorcyclist, cyclist, or pedestrian, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Our road traffic accident claims service covers car accidents caused by dangerous or careless driving, motorcycle accidents resulting in severe injuries, bicycle accidents involving collisions with vehicles or dangerous road conditions, pedestrian accidents at crossings or on footpaths, bus and public transport accidents, and accidents involving uninsured or untraced drivers (MIBI claims).

Road traffic accident claims can be complex, particularly when liability is disputed or when injuries are severe. We work with accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and other professionals to build compelling cases that demonstrate fault and quantify your full losses.

Workplace Accidents and Injuries

Employers in Ireland have extensive legal duties to ensure the health and safety of their employees. When these duties are breached and workers are injured, they have the right to claim compensation. We handle all types of workplace injury claims, including construction site accidents involving falls, equipment failures, or inadequate safety measures; industrial accidents in factories and warehouses; office accidents such as slips, trips, and falls; machinery accidents caused by defective equipment or inadequate training; manual handling injuries from lifting, carrying, or repetitive tasks; accidents involving delivery drivers and mobile workers; and occupational diseases resulting from prolonged workplace exposures.

Workplace injury claims often involve complex questions about employer liability, safety regulations, and causation. Our solicitors have in-depth knowledge of health and safety law and work closely with safety experts to establish employer negligence and secure maximum compensation.

Medical Negligence Claims

Medical negligence occurs when healthcare professionals fail to provide an acceptable standard of care, resulting in patient harm. These are among the most complex personal injury claims, requiring specialist legal and medical expertise. We handle medical negligence claims involving surgical errors and complications, misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of serious conditions, medication errors and prescription mistakes, birth injuries affecting mother or child, dental negligence, nursing home negligence, and hospital-acquired infections due to poor hygiene standards.

Medical negligence claims don't go through the Injuries Board and proceed directly to court proceedings if settlement can't be reached. We work with leading medical experts who provide authoritative opinions on whether the standard of care was breached and how this breach caused your injuries. These cases require patience, persistence, and specialist knowledge—qualities our medical negligence team possesses in abundance.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Property owners and occupiers have legal duties to maintain reasonably safe premises. When they fail in these duties and someone is injured, they may be liable for compensation. Our public liability claims service covers slips and trips in supermarkets, shops, and retail establishments; falls on poorly maintained footpaths and public areas; accidents in restaurants, hotels, and hospitality venues; injuries in leisure centers, gyms, and sports facilities; falls due to inadequate lighting or signage; and accidents caused by defective premises or equipment.

Slip, trip, and fall cases often hinge on whether the property owner took reasonable care to address hazards. We gather crucial evidence including CCTV footage, photographs of the accident scene, witness statements, and maintenance records to prove that the property owner was negligent and that this negligence caused your injuries.

Assault and Criminal Injuries

Victims of violent crime can claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal. We assist clients with claims for physical injuries resulting from assault, sexual assault and abuse injuries, psychological trauma following violent crime, and injuries caused by property owners' failure to provide adequate security.

Criminal injury claims have specific requirements and procedures that differ from standard personal injury claims. Our team has extensive experience navigating the Criminal Injuries Compensation process and ensuring victims receive the compensation and justice they deserve.

The Personal Injury Claims Process

Stage 1: Free Initial Consultation

Your journey begins with a free consultation at our Dublin offices, by phone, or via video call. We'll listen to your story, review any documentation you have, assess the merits of your claim, explain the legal process and likely timeline, and provide honest advice about your prospects of success. This consultation is entirely without obligation—you're free to take time to consider your options before deciding whether to instruct us.

Stage 2: Evidence Gathering and Investigation

Once you instruct us, we immediately begin building your case. We'll obtain your medical records and treatment notes, commission comprehensive medical reports from appropriate specialists, gather accident reports, photographs, and CCTV footage, obtain witness statements from anyone who saw the accident, collect employment records and financial documents to prove lost earnings, and obtain expert evidence when necessary (e.g., accident reconstruction experts, engineers, vocational assessors).

Stage 3: Injuries Board Application (For Most Claims)

For claims that must go through the Injuries Board, we'll prepare and submit a comprehensive application, ensuring all required documentation is included. Throughout the Injuries Board process (which typically takes several months), we keep you informed of progress and advise you on the best course of action when the Injuries Board makes its assessment.

Stage 4: Negotiation

Whether through the Injuries Board, direct negotiation with insurance companies, or after receiving Authorization to proceed to court, we engage in skilled negotiation to secure the best possible settlement. We have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies and their lawyers, and we know how to present your case to maximize your compensation.

Stage 5: Court Proceedings (If Necessary)

If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, we're fully prepared to issue court proceedings and take your case to trial. Our experienced litigation team will prepare your case thoroughly, brief leading barristers to represent you in court, prepare you for giving evidence, present expert testimony and documentary evidence, and argue your case persuasively before the judge.

Stage 6: Settlement and Payment

Once we secure your compensation—whether through settlement or court judgment—we ensure you receive your payment promptly. We'll explain all deductions (such as legal fees under our no-win, no-fee agreement), handle all financial arrangements with the other side, and ensure you understand exactly how much you're receiving and why.

Time Limits for Personal Injury Claims

Personal injury claims in Ireland are subject to strict time limits under the Statute of Limitations. Generally, you have two years from the date of your accident (or from the date you became aware of your injury) to submit your claim to the Injuries Board or issue court proceedings. For medical negligence claims, you generally have two years from the date you became aware (or reasonably should have become aware) that you may have been a victim of medical negligence.

There are some exceptions to these time limits—for example, if you were under 18 at the time of your injury, the limitation period doesn't begin until your 18th birthday. However, these rules are complex, and it's essential to seek legal advice as soon as possible after your injury. Delay can jeopardize your ability to claim, as evidence may be lost, witnesses' memories fade, and you may run out of time to issue proceedings.

Don't risk losing your right to claim. Contact us today for a free consultation, even if you're unsure whether you're still within the time limits. We'll assess your situation and advise you on your options.

Start Your Personal Injury Claim Today

If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence, you deserve compensation for your suffering and losses. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin protecting your rights and building your case. Evidence is often time-sensitive, and acting quickly ensures we can gather the strongest possible evidence to support your claim.

At Gary Matthews Solicitors, we're committed to providing expert legal representation with a personal touch. Our experienced personal injury claims solicitors have the knowledge, skills, and determination to secure the maximum compensation you're entitled to, whether through the Injuries Board, negotiated settlement, or court proceedings.

Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation. We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us now at 353 1 903 6407 or complete our online contact form. During your consultation, we'll listen to your story, assess your claim, explain your options, and advise you on the best way forward. Remember, with our no-win, no-fee service, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve while you focus on your recovery.