Personal injury claims in Ireland fall 35% from pre-pandemic levels, but total payouts rise to €213m
The Injuries Resolution Board paid out €213 million in compensation in 2025, up from €168 million a year earlier, even as the number of new claims fell for the sixth straight year.
The Injuries Resolution Board (IRB) released its 2025 Annual Report and Personal Injuries Report on Wednesday, showing a continued decline in claim volumes alongside a jump in the total value of awards.
Claim volumes keep shrinking
New applications to the board dropped to 20,077 last year, a 4% decrease on 2024 and 35% below 2019 levels. The IRB, an independent statutory body that handles all personal injury claims in Ireland except medical negligence, has now seen claim numbers fall by over 10,000 per year compared with six years ago.
Payouts rise despite fewer claims
The total compensation bill reached €213 million, driven by a 17% increase in the number of awards issued. The board paid 10,032 awards in 2025, compared with 8,598 the previous year. The highest single award was €908,000, linked to a serious road traffic incident involving a vulnerable road user. A fatal workplace incident led to the highest employer liability award of €641,000, while the top public liability award was €171,000 for a fall from a height.
- 2024
- 168 €m
- 2025
- 213 €m
The median award rose 7% year-on-year to €14,020, though it remains 24% below the 2020 median of €18,459, reflecting the impact of personal injury guidelines introduced in April 2021.
Litigation savings grow
The IRB said it delivered over €88 million in savings last year by keeping accepted claims out of the courts, an increase of €12 million on 2024. The board now deals with more complex and serious injuries, according to chief executive Rosalind Carroll.
In terms of the personal injuries' environment, it is a very different environment to six years ago, with over 10,000 less claims on average per year being made and the value and nature of claims changing significantly in this period.
Industry reaction
The Alliance for Insurance Reform welcomed the progress but said continued action is needed to ensure lower claims costs translate into lower insurance premiums. Insurance Ireland described the reports as further evidence of reform in the personal injuries system.
