How long do I have to file a claim in Ireland?

You have two years minus one day from the date of the accident or from when you first realised the injury was work‑related.

It is the formal application to start a claim with the Injuries Resolution Board. Filing it immediately pauses the limitation clock.

Do I need to notify my employer in 30 days?

No – the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 requires notification within two months; earlier is encouraged but not legally penalised.

How much compensation can I expect?

The median IRB award in 2024 was €13,100. Awards vary based on injury severity and documented medical or income losses.

What protections do I have against dismissal?

The Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 protects employees from being dismissed for reporting injuries or filing workplace claims.

Can I claim if I've left the job?

Yes — provided you file IRB Form A within the two‑year limitation period.

Is there a fee for IRB Form A?

Yes — €45 if filed online, or €90 by post.

Does fault affect my claim?

Yes — claims require evidence of employer negligence. Your own fault may reduce the award but typically doesn’t block the claim.

What evidence do I need to support my claim?

Photos, CCTV footage, witness statements, medical records and any relevant safety documentation strengthen your claim.

How long does the process take?

IRB cases usually take about 11–12 months to resolve. Taking a case to court can take several years.

Accident at Work Claim Ireland
2025 Ireland guide to work injury claims

Request a Callback

Or Call Us Now at 01 9036408

Name(Required)

Phone(Required)

Help Requested

Ireland's Most Positively Reviewed No Win No Fee * Solicitor on Google

Read 1072+ Happy Client Reviews

Hear Our Client's Success Stories

Watch Now

In Ireland, you have two years minus one day to file a workplace injury claim—or from when you realised it was work‑related. Filing IRB Form A immediately stops the statutory clock. The IRB process typically resolves in about 11–12 months. You must notify your employer within one month under the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 to retain legal costs rights.

How Long to Claim?

You generally have two years minus one day from either:

The date of your accident
The date you realised the injury was work‑related

Submitting IRB Form A immediately stops this statutory countdown.

Exceptions & Extensions

Under 18: Clock begins on their 18th birthday
Mental incapacity: Time paused until restored capacity
Employer estoppel: Misleading actions may extend the deadline

30‑Day Action Checklist

Days 1–3: Report the injury in writing to your employer
Days 4–10: Gather photos, witness details and CCTV footage
Days 11–20: Obtain medical assessment and records
Days 21–30: File IRB Form A—even if evidence is still incomplete

Quick Process Summary

Step	When	Action
Injury Occurs	Day 0	Report incident in writing
Gather Evidence	Days 1–10	Photos, witness statements, medical info
Submit Form A	By Day 30	Pause the clock with IRB
IRB Assessment	~11–12 months	Mediation or decision report

What If Employer Denies Fault?

You can still proceed even if your employer disputes blame. The IRB assesses your evidence. If they violated duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, you may still qualify—contributory fault may reduce your award but rarely blocks the claim.

Compensation Estimates

Injury Type	Estimated Award (€)
Minor soft‑tissue injury	€3,000–€6,000
Moderate fracture	€12,000–€25,000
Severe or permanent injury	€40,000–€100,000+

Based on IRB guidelines and relevant case law.

2024 IRB Statistics

20,837 total claims submitted in 2024—a 3% rise over 2023 (IRB Annual Report 2024)
Median award: €13,100 (+12% vs 2023) (Law Society Gazette)
Average resolution time: ~11.2 months (51% resolved within 9 months) (RTE News)
Mediation opt‑in rate: ~35% (Law Society Gazette)

HSA Fatality Trends (2024)

Total workplace deaths: 33 (Law Society Gazette)
Approximately 66% aged 55 and older
Fatality rate dropped to ~1.2 per 100,000 in 2024 (NISO data)

Protections Against Dismissal

The Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 ensures you cannot be dismissed for reporting an injury or pursuing your claim.

All‑Ireland Spotlight

Across Ireland—rural and urban regions—common injuries include slips in retail, lifting accidents in warehouses, and driving incidents (e.g. courier or truck drivers). Employers nationwide must report serious incidents to the HSA within 10 working days.

Helpful Resources

FAQs

How long do I have to file a claim?: Two years minus one day from the accident or your date of awareness that it was work‑related.
What is IRB Form A?: The application to start a claim with the IRB—it stops the limitation period immediately.
Do I need to notify employer in 30 days?: Notification must be within two months; earlier notice is recommended.
How much compensation can I expect?: Median IRB award in 2024 was €13,100. The total depends on injury severity and losses.
Can I claim after leaving my job?: Yes—as long as you file within the statutory two‑year window.
Is there a filing fee?: Yes—€45 online, €90 by post.
Does fault impact my claim?: Employer negligence must be shown. Contributory fault may reduce awards but rarely stops a claim.
What evidence is needed?: Photographs, CCTV, witness statements, medical and safety records are important.
How long does the process take?: IRB cases take approximately 11–12 months; court cases may take several years.
Are employees protected from dismissal?: Yes—the Unfair Dismissals Act protects you from retaliation.

Need Help Filing Your Claim?

If you're unsure whether you qualify, need help gathering evidence, or want support filing IRB Form A, contact our solicitors for a no obligation consultation. We serve claimants across all of Ireland.

Our Dublin Office Location

Disclaimer

This content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a qualified solicitor regarding your situation. Gary Matthews Solicitors (Law Society ID S8178).

Legal Review:
Gary Matthews – Senior Partner
Expert in work injury law, IRB submissions, and High Court cases with 30+ years of litigation experience.

IRB claim process timeline: report incident, gather evidence, medical, file Form A — 30‑Day checklist timeline to initiate an IRB claim in Ireland

Gary Matthews Solicitors

Medical negligence solicitors, Dublin

We help people every day of the week (weekends and bank holidays included) that have either been injured or harmed as a result of an accident or have suffered from negligence or malpractice.

Request a Call Back

Accident at Work Claim Ireland2025 Ireland guide to work injury claims