Personal Injury Claims
If you’ve suffered an injury due to the fault of another, seeking justice and appropriate compensation is your right. At Catherine Allison & Co, we have extensive experience and are fully committed to providing a focused, personal service to achieve the best possible outcome for your claim, particularly in cases involving cross-border elements involving different legal systems and insurance regulations across Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, and Wales
- Road Traffic Accidents (RTA): Claims arising from collisions, cycling accidents, or pedestrian injuries, including accidents that occur abroad involving Irish residents or accidents in Ireland involving non-residents.
- Workplace Accidents: Injuries sustained in the course of employment, including construction, factory, or office environments.
- Accidents in Public Places (Slip & Trip): Claims resulting from poorly maintained footpaths, slippery floors, or hazards in retail outlets, parks, or private premises.
- Medical / Dental Negligence: Pursuing compensation where you have suffered harm due to substandard care or professional error by a healthcare provider.
- Product Defects: Claims where injury has been caused by a defective or dangerous product, often involving manufacturers or distributors based in a different jurisdiction.
- Jurisdiction & Applicable Law: We advise on the crucial issue of jurisdiction—determining the correct country in which to bring your claim—and which country’s law (e.g., Irish or English) will govern the assessment of liability and damages.
- Cross-Border Accidents: We represent clients who are injured while travelling or working in a different country, ensuring the correct legal procedures are followed against foreign insurers or defendants.
- Court Liaison: We coordinate with legal teams and experts in the relevant jurisdictions to pursue your claim efficiently, whether through the Irish courts, the UK Civil Justice system, or through the Injuries Resolution Board (Ireland).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What should I do immediately after an accident?
Your immediate priorities should be seeking medical attention and ensuring your safety. After that, you should: gather details of the incident (date, time, location), collect contact details for any witnesses, and take photographs of the scene and your injuries. Do not admit fault.
- Is there a time limit for making a personal injury claim?
Yes, the legal time limit (Statute of Limitations) in Ireland is generally two years and in Northern Ireland, England and Wales is generally three years from the date of the accident or the date of knowledge of the injury (such as in medical negligence cases). If you miss this deadline, you may lose the right to claim compensation, so seeking legal advice quickly is essential.
- What is the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB)?
In Ireland, most personal injury claims (excluding medical negligence and certain other claims) must first be submitted to the Injuries Resolution Board (formerly PIAB). The IRB assesses the claim and issues an amount of compensation. If either party rejects the amount, the claimant can then proceed to litigation (court proceedings).
- I had an accident in England but I live in Ireland. Where do I bring the claim? This is the key issue of jurisdiction. Generally, you can bring a claim in the country where the defendant is domiciled (lives or is based), or the country where the accident occurred. We will determine the most advantageous forum for your specific case, taking into account which country’s law is applicable for assessing damages.
- How are damages calculated in cross-border cases?
Even if you bring your claim in an Irish court, the applicable law (the law of the place where the accident happened) often dictates the rules for assessing liability and the type of damages that can be claimed. However, the quantum (value) of the award may still be benchmarked against the standards of the court you are using. This complexity requires expert advice to ensure you receive full entitlement.
- What happens if I’m involved in a road accident with a foreign-registered vehicle?
If the vehicle is from another EU member state, the claim can often be pursued through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MICI) or the local equivalent in the UK, even if the vehicle has returned home. We manage this process to ensure the foreign insurer is identified and compensation is pursued correctly.
- Do you operate on a “No Win, No Fee” basis?
No we will discuss the options for funding your claim during your initial consultation. We are committed to providing transparency on legal costs from the outset.
- What compensation can I claim?
Compensation generally covers two areas:
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- General Damages: For pain, suffering, and loss of amenity (impact on quality of life).
- Special Damages: For financial losses you have incurred or will incur, such as medical expenses, loss of earnings (past and future), physiotherapy costs, and costs for care and assistance.
Contact Us For More Information
*In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.
