Assistive Devices and Technology Costs After a Car Accident Injury in Ireland

Assistive technology costs are a distinct, uncapped head of special damages in Irish personal injury claims. The Civil Liability (Amendment) Act 2017 [1] treats the "provision of assistive technology or other aids and appliances" as a separate category alongside future medical treatment and future care. Unlike general damages for pain and suffering, which are capped at €550,000 under the Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021) [2], there is no upper statutory limit on assistive technology costs. The lifetime cost of replacing wheelchairs, prosthetics, communication devices, and mobility aids is often the single largest component of a catastrophic injury settlement in Ireland.

What counts as assistive technology in an Irish injury claim?

In Irish personal injury claims, assistive technology is any device, system, or software that helps an injured person carry out daily activities that their injury prevents or limits. These costs fall under special damages. They are calculated with precision based on documented evidence and expert reports, not estimated or averaged.

This page covers portable, wearable, and personal devices. Fixed structural changes to a home (ramps, accessible bathrooms, stairlifts, through-floor lifts) are covered separately on the home adaptation costs page. The distinction matters for how your solicitor schedules costs and how the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB), formerly known as PIAB, assesses quantum.

The main categories of claimable assistive technology after a car accident in Ireland include:

Which injuries typically require which devices?

The type of assistive technology you need depends directly on your injury. The table below maps the most common car accident injuries to the AT categories typically prescribed by occupational therapists in Ireland.

Ranges are gross lifetime projections before the 1.5% discount rate is applied. Actual awards depend on age, life expectancy, injury severity, and individual medical evidence under the Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021) ². These figures do not include general damages, care costs, or loss of earnings.

Moderate injuries: shorter-term AT costs that still count

Assistive technology claims are not limited to catastrophic injuries in Ireland. A fractured knee from a car accident may require crutches (€30 to €80), a knee brace (€60 to €250), and a temporary walking frame (€80 to €200) during a 6-to-12-month recovery. A wrist fracture may require a wrist splint and adapted kitchen tools. A back injury may require a lumbar support cushion for driving or a raised toilet seat during recovery. These costs are smaller individually, but they are still claimable as special damages with receipts. The difference between moderate and catastrophic AT claims is not whether costs are recoverable, but whether the replacement cycle is a one-off purchase or a lifetime projection.

Something many claimants overlook: a powered wheelchair user will also need a backup manual chair, a pressure-relief cushion, a spare battery set, and regular servicing. Each item is a separate line in the schedule of special damages.

What do these devices actually cost in Ireland?

Irish market prices for assistive devices range from a few hundred euro for basic mobility aids to tens of thousands for advanced prosthetic limbs. The data below, the Irish AT Cost Baseline, comes from Irish mobility retailers and medico-legal cost schedules used in High Court claims.

All figures subject to case-specific variation. Wheelchair prices from Irish mobility retailers (2026). Prosthetic costs from medico-legal schedules and manufacturer data. Socket replacements, liners, batteries, and servicing are scheduled separately. Awards depend on individual circumstances and medical evidence under the Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021) ².

The published guidelines do not mention this, but a claimant who requires a microprocessor knee will also need socket refitting (the residual limb changes shape over time), silicone liners replaced every 6 to 12 months, and annual servicing appointments. These recurring costs frequently exceed the base unit cost over a 10-year period.

How often devices need replacing: 40-year timeline

Robotic exoskeletons: the care-cost offset argument

Insurers argue exoskeletons are disproportionately expensive. Claimant solicitors counter with medical evidence that daily use prevents secondary complications of long-term wheelchair dependency (pressure sores, osteoporosis, urinary tract infections, cardiovascular decline) and can reduce total paid care hours. In Irish claims, the cost of an exoskeleton may be offset against projected care savings, making the net cost to the claim lower than the sticker price suggests.

Children's AT: growth-driven replacement costs

Children outgrow assistive devices before they wear them out. A paediatric prosthetic limb typically needs replacing every 12 to 18 months during growth spurts, compared to 3 to 5 years for adults. Paediatric wheelchairs are outgrown in 1 to 3 years depending on the child's age at injury. The actuary must model accelerated replacement cycles through childhood, then transition to adult replacement rates from approximately age 18. The transition from paediatric to adult-sized equipment is itself a cost event, often requiring entirely new fitting and training. Settlements for injured children in Ireland are approved by the court and held in trust until the child reaches 18, which adds a layer of judicial oversight to how AT funds are managed.

Hidden costs that schedules often miss

The purchase price and replacement cycle of a device are only part of the AT claim. The following ancillary costs are separately claimable as special damages but frequently omitted from schedules:

Training costs. Learning to use a myoelectric arm or eye-gaze system can take weeks or months of specialist training sessions. Each session is a claimable expense, and retraining is needed every time the device model changes.

Travel to fitting and servicing appointments. Specialist prosthetic and wheelchair fittings often require travel to Dublin or Cork. Over a lifetime, the mileage, parking, and accommodation costs for these appointments accumulate to thousands of euro.

Device insurance and extended warranties. A powered wheelchair worth €5,000+ or a prosthetic limb worth €50,000+ needs insurance cover. Annual premiums are a separate line in the schedule.

Software subscriptions. AAC devices and cognitive aids increasingly run on subscription-based software. Annual licence fees of €100 to €500 per app are recurring costs that the schedule must project over the claimant's lifetime.

How are lifetime assistive technology costs calculated?

Assistive devices wear out and need replacing over a lifetime, and Irish courts use a multiplier-and-multiplicand approach to project these costs. The multiplicand is the annual cost of the device (purchase price divided by its lifespan, plus annual maintenance). The multiplier is derived from the claimant's life expectancy, discounted to present value using the prevailing real rate of return.

Following the Court of Appeal decision in Russell v HSE [2015] IECA 236, Irish courts apply a 1.5% discount rate to future non-care special damages (including assistive technology replacement costs) and a 1% discount rate to wage-related future care costs. In 2024, an expert group convened by the Minister for Justice recommended maintaining these rates. ³

Between assessment and settlement, the sticking point is usually the replacement frequency. Insurers argue for longer replacement cycles (7 years for a wheelchair, for example). Claimant solicitors counter with occupational therapy evidence and manufacturer specifications showing 3-to-5-year lifespans under daily use. This is the core of the Irish AT Cost Baseline: matching real device lifespans to the claimant's actual usage pattern, then projecting over the remaining lifetime.

Technology obsolescence: when a working device becomes unusable

A device can become functionally obsolete before it physically wears out. Manufacturers discontinue models, spare parts become unavailable, and software support ends. Consider a powered wheelchair that still rolls but whose control software no longer receives updates or whose replacement batteries are no longer manufactured is not a functioning device. The AT cost schedule should account for both physical wear and technological obsolescence, whichever triggers replacement first. In practice, for devices with significant electronic components (eye-gaze systems, powered wheelchairs with programmable controls, myoelectric prosthetics), the technology cycle is often shorter than the physical wear cycle.

What evidence proves assistive technology costs?

Irish courts and the IRB require specific expert evidence to justify every assistive device claimed as special damages. A generic medical report that says "the claimant needs a wheelchair" is not enough. The cost must be itemised, the replacement schedule must be projected, and the medical necessity must be confirmed by an independent expert.

In our experience, instructing an independent assistive technology consultant as a separate expert, rather than relying solely on the OT, can produce a more detailed and higher-valued cost schedule. The IRB's assessment process does not automatically include dedicated AT expert evidence. Where a claimant submits only a standard OT report without a device-specific cost schedule, the assessment often undervalues future AT needs.

When should the AT assessment be done?

Timing the AT assessment correctly is a practical decision that most guides skip. Too early after a spinal cord injury, and the OT cannot assess long-term functional ability because the claimant's condition may still be stabilising. Too late, and the AT cost schedule is not ready before the IRB assessment deadline or settlement negotiation. In practice, for catastrophic injuries, the full OT and AT consultant assessment is usually conducted 12 to 18 months post-injury, once the treating consultant has given a stable prognosis. For amputations, the fitting and prescription of the definitive prosthesis typically happens after the residual limb has matured, which takes 6 to 12 months. Your solicitor should coordinate the timing with the treating team to ensure the assessment captures your long-term needs, not just your immediate post-accident state.

Case law shaping AT cost claims in Ireland

Two Irish court decisions directly affect how assistive technology costs are calculated in personal injury settlements. Both remain binding or highly persuasive as of 2026.

Can a Periodic Payment Order cover assistive technology?

Yes. Periodic Payment Orders (PPOs) allow Irish courts to award regular, index-linked payments specifically for future assistive technology costs instead of a single lump sum. The Civil Liability (Amendment) Act 2017 ¹ names "the provision of assistive technology or other aids and appliances" as one of the specific categories for which a PPO may be ordered.

PPOs were introduced to reduce the risk that a lump sum runs out before the claimant's death. Settlement offers in catastrophic cases must now separately specify the amount attributable to AT costs, distinct from care and medical treatment.

A PPO can also include stepped payments that increase or decrease on specified dates to match anticipated changes in the claimant's needs. Common triggers include reaching adulthood (age 18), entering or leaving full-time education, or moving into residential care. For AT costs, a stepped increase might reflect the transition from paediatric to adult-sized equipment, which is typically more expensive. There is currently no general power for Irish courts to vary a PPO after it is made, so the initial AT schedule must anticipate these transitions.

The timing of this decision is critical: whether to accept a lump sum or push for a PPO depends on the claimant's life expectancy, the specific technology they need, and how quickly that technology is likely to change. A lump sum gives the claimant full control. A PPO provides income security but is subject to the indexation rate. Using the Irish AT Cost Baseline approach, your solicitor can model both scenarios and compare outcomes over your projected lifetime.

Do grants or VAT relief reduce my injury claim?

State grants and tax reliefs in Ireland exist alongside personal injury compensation, but they do not replace the claim. Insurers will check whether the claimant is receiving both. Understanding the interaction between grants and special damages matters for avoiding the legal principle against "double recovery."

Housing Adaptation Grant

The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability provides up to €40,000 for structural home modifications (following regulations updated in December 2024). The grant is covered in detail by Citizens Information (Updated December 2024) [8]. It covers ramps, accessible bathrooms, and stairlifts, not personal devices like wheelchairs or prosthetics. The grant is means-tested: 100% funding where household income is under €37,500 per year, tapering to zero at €75,000. More detail on the home adaptation costs page.

VAT 61A refund

The Irish Revenue Commissioners allow individuals with disabilities to reclaim 23% VAT on qualifying aids and appliances under the Value-Added Tax (Refund of Tax) (No. 15) Order 1981. Eligible items include communication aids, Braille equipment, hoists, and stairlifts. Wheelchairs are already zero-rated for VAT. Claims are made using Form VAT 61A within 4 years of purchase. Source: Revenue.ie (2024) [9]. No refund is available on any amount already covered by a State grant.

Work and Access programme

The Workplace Equipment Grant (part of the Work and Access programme, Citizens Information (2025) [10]) covers assistive equipment needed for employment. The Workplace Adaptation Grant provides up to €25,000 for workplace modifications. The equipment belongs to the employee.

HSE provision vs private purchase

Medical card holders may receive wheelchairs and mobility aids through the HSE, via referral to a public occupational therapist. Waiting times can be significant. In personal injury claims, courts recognise that a claimant is entitled to pursue the cost of private, technologically advanced devices if an independent medical expert considers them medically reasonable. A standard HSE-issued mechanical prosthetic limb does not match the function of a privately sourced microprocessor knee.

Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme

For claimants who need adapted vehicles to transport powered wheelchairs, this scheme provides remission of Vehicle Registration Tax and repayment of VAT. The tax relief can reach up to €48,000 for drivers requiring wheelchair-accessible vehicle adaptations, and up to €32,000 for disabled passengers needing similar access. Your actuary must account for these reliefs in the schedule of special damages to prevent defence arguments of double recovery. Source: Revenue VRT7 guidance (2024) [11].

The Guidelines state broad principles about special damages, but in Circuit Court practice, the question of whether a claimant should have applied for grants before claiming full compensation depends on the specific facts. Your solicitor's role includes advising on the sequencing of grant applications and compensation claims to protect the full value of your schedule of loss.

How do insurers challenge assistive technology costs?

In Irish personal injury claims, insurance companies routinely challenge the frequency, specification, and private cost of assistive devices. Recognising these arguments early helps your solicitor build evidence to counter them.

Arguing for longer replacement cycles. Insurers often claim a wheelchair should last 7 years, not 5. The counter-evidence comes from manufacturer service guidelines and your OT's assessment of daily use patterns. A device used for 14 hours a day wears differently from one used occasionally.

Pushing HSE provision over private purchase. Defence teams argue the claimant should rely on publicly provided devices at no cost, reducing the special damages figure. Courts in Ireland have rejected this approach where expert evidence confirms the claimant needs more advanced technology than the HSE supplies.

Disputing emerging technology. Insurers may argue that robotic exoskeletons or advanced eye-gaze systems are experimental. Claimant solicitors counter with medical evidence showing these devices prevent secondary complications (pressure sores, osteoporosis, cardiovascular decline) and reduce long-term care hours, often offsetting their own capital cost over the claimant's lifetime.

Devices vs home adaptations: scope boundaries

This page covers portable, wearable, and personal assistive technology claimable in Irish injury cases. Fixed structural modifications to a home are covered on the home adaptation costs page. The boundary matters because your solicitor will schedule each category separately in your claim.

For a full breakdown of all special damages categories, see the damages hub or the compensation guide. For how future costs are projected over a lifetime, the future medical costs page covers the actuarial methodology in more detail. For care and assistance from family members or professional carers, see the care and assistance costs page.

Related internal guides: car accident claims · claim process · time limits · back injury claims · fracture claims

Common questions

What to consider next

References

1. Civil Liability (Amendment) Act 2017, Irish Statute Book.
2. Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021), Judicial Council of Ireland.
3. Catastrophic injury cases: discount rates in Ireland to remain at 1% and 1.5%, Kennedys Law, July 2024.
4. VAT refunds on aids and appliances for people with disabilities, Citizens Information, updated 2025.
5. CORU, Health and Social Care Professionals Council, accessed March 2026.
6. Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023, Irish Statute Book.
7. Needle and the damage done, Law Society Gazette, January 2025.
8. Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, Citizens Information, updated December 2024.
9. How to reclaim VAT on aids and appliances for persons with disabilities, Revenue.ie, 2024.
10. Work and Access: Workplace Equipment Grant, Citizens Information, updated 2025.
11. VRT7: Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities Tax Relief Scheme, Revenue.ie, 2024.