What Happens During an IRB (PIAB) Assessment in Ireland

What is an IRB assessment?

An IRB assessment is the process where the Injuries Resolution Board evaluates your personal injury claim and calculates compensation using the Personal Injuries Guidelines [3], which replaced the Book of Quantum on 24 April 2021. The assessment is primarily paper-based. An assessor reviews your medical reports, receipts for expenses, and evidence of lost earnings. You don't attend a hearing or meet the assessor face-to-face.

This is not the same as going to court. The IRB assessment produces an "Order to Pay" that becomes binding if both sides accept. If either party rejects, the IRB issues an Authorisation allowing you to proceed to court proceedings. It seems straightforward on paper, but the process has nuances that catch people off guard. ⁴

Terminology note: The board changed from "PIAB" (Personal Injuries Assessment Board) to "IRB" (Injuries Resolution Board) on 14 December 2023 under the Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022. Both terms appear in searches, so we use them interchangeably where helpful. For more on the IRB/PIAB process overall, see our hub page.

What the assessor cannot do

Understanding the assessor's limitations helps set realistic expectations:

Cannot investigate the accident: They don't contact witnesses, review CCTV, obtain Garda reports, or verify how the accident happened. Fault has already been admitted via respondent consent.

Cannot determine liability: The IRB only assesses claims where the respondent has consented. If liability is disputed, the IRB can't proceed with assessment (though mediation may be an option).

Cannot depart from Guidelines without justification: Section 22 departures are rare and require documented reasons. The assessor works within the Guidelines framework.

Cannot consider speculative future losses: Only proven, documented losses are assessed. "I might need surgery in 5 years" doesn't translate to compensation without current medical evidence supporting it.

Cannot contact you directly: All communication goes through formal notices. The assessor won't phone you for clarification. If your documents are unclear, they work with what they have.

Cannot extend the 28-day deadline: Once the Notice of Assessment issues, you have exactly 28 days. The assessor has no power to grant extensions.

What the assessor actually reviews

The IRB assessor works from a defined set of documents. Understanding what's in front of them helps you prepare a stronger file. Here's exactly what they examine:

Your Form A application: The details you provided about the accident, your injuries, and the respondent. Inconsistencies between Form A and later medical reports raise questions.

Your treating doctor's medical report: The GP or specialist report submitted with your application. This is often the primary evidence if no independent exam is commissioned.

Independent medical report (if commissioned): The Form B report from the IRB's panel doctor. This carries significant weight because it's independent of both parties.

Receipts and invoices: Evidence of out-of-pocket expenses: GP visits, physiotherapy, medication, travel to appointments, medical aids. No receipt typically means no reimbursement.

Certificate of Loss of Earnings: A formal document from your employer confirming days missed and earnings lost. Payslips alone aren't sufficient. Self-employed claimants need accountant certification.

Photographs and supporting evidence: Photos of injuries, the accident scene, vehicle damage, or hazards. These aren't mandatory but can strengthen your case.

DSP benefit records: If you claimed Illness Benefit or other social welfare payments, the Department of Social Protection notifies the IRB. These amounts are deducted under the Recovery of Benefits scheme.

How long does the assessment actually take?

The average IRB assessment takes 11.2 months from respondent consent to Notice of Assessment, based on 2024 data. The official target is 9 months. While over half of claims completed within 9 months, nearly half took longer. Extensions happen when medical evidence is incomplete, when injuries haven't stabilised, or when an independent exam is required. ¹

A common mistake we see is people expecting the 9-month figure as a guarantee. In my view, you should factor in 10-14 months as realistic for straightforward claims. Complex injuries or disputed cases can stretch further still.

Stage-by-stage breakdown: what happens when

What communications to expect and when

Here's what actually arrives during the assessment process:

Weeks are approximate from application date. Your timeline may vary based on respondent response speed and medical exam requirements.

Why assessments get delayed: the injury stabilisation requirement

The IRB won't issue a final assessment until your injury has "stabilised" - meaning your condition is unlikely to significantly change. This is the primary reason assessments extend beyond 9 months.

Signs the IRB is waiting for stabilisation:

Your medical report says "prognosis uncertain" or "awaiting further investigation." You're scheduled for surgery or specialist review that hasn't happened yet. Your symptoms are documented as "still evolving" or "not yet plateaued." Your treating doctor hasn't provided a final recovery timeline.

What you can do: Ask your GP or specialist to provide an updated report with a clear prognosis. Even if you haven't fully recovered, a statement like "symptoms expected to continue at current level for 12-24 months" gives the assessor enough to proceed.

How to track your assessment status

The IRB has an online portal at injuries.ie where you can monitor progress:

Status indicators you'll see: Application received → Validated → Respondent notified → Consent received → Under assessment → Assessment complete

What you can do in the portal: Upload additional documents (medical reports, receipts). View messages from the IRB. Check current status. Download your Notice of Assessment once issued.

When to follow up: If your status hasn't changed for 8+ weeks and you haven't received any communication, contact the IRB on 01 620 4000 or via the portal messaging system. Delays often mean they're waiting for something - find out what.

Source: IRB Annual Report 2024 ¹. Your case may differ based on complexity and medical recovery.

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The independent medical examination: what to expect

The IRB commissions an independent medical exam when your treating doctor's report lacks specific prognosis, when injuries aren't clearly categorised, or when psychological symptoms are claimed. A significant portion of claimants attend one. It's a 20-40 minute verification appointment with a doctor from the IRB's panel, not your treating doctor.

What triggers an independent medical exam

Not every claim requires an independent medical examination. The IRB commissions one in specific circumstances. Based on published guidance and what we see in practice, here are the triggers:

Your treating doctor's report lacks specifics: If your GP report doesn't include a clear prognosis date or recovery timeline, the IRB needs independent verification.

Injuries aren't categorised clearly: The assessor needs to map your injury to a Guidelines bracket. Vague descriptions like "ongoing pain" don't fit neatly into categories.

There's a gap of 12+ months: If significant time has passed between the accident and your application, the IRB wants a current snapshot of your condition.

Psychological symptoms are claimed: Mental health impacts require specialist confirmation. A GP noting "anxiety" isn't enough for a psychological injury bracket.

Multiple body parts are affected: The IRB needs to determine which is the dominant injury for the "dominant + uplift" calculation.

Pre-existing conditions are mentioned: The assessor needs clarity on what's new versus what was already present before the accident.

What happens during the exam

A significant portion of claimants attend an independent medical examination. The examination is conducted by a doctor from the IRB's Independent Medical Panel [5], not a treating doctor or an "insurance company doctor."

The Medical Assessment Form (Form B) [7] guides the examination. The doctor records your injury description, current symptoms, range of motion, and expected recovery. Here's what typically happens:

Duration: Usually 20-40 minutes. It feels brief because the purpose is verification, not treatment.

Physical tests: For soft tissue injuries like whiplash, expect range of motion assessments. The doctor will ask you to look over each shoulder, tilt your head, and note where you feel pain or restriction. Stop when it hurts. If you push through pain and show full motion, the form may record "full range" when your daily experience is limited.

Questions about daily life: The doctor asks how the injury affects your work, hobbies, sleep, and mood. Vague answers like "it hurts a lot" are less useful than specifics: "I can't lift my toddler," "I gave up running," "I can only sit at my desk for 20 minutes before needing to stand." These specifics feed into the Guidelines brackets.

Cognitive and psychological impact: Form B includes sections on mental health, concentration, and daily activities. If you're experiencing brain fog, difficulty reading, or anxiety from the accident, mention it. Many claimants focus only on physical pain and forget these elements, which is perhaps the most common oversight we encounter.

What Form B covers section by section

The Medical Assessment Form (Form B) [7] is the document the independent doctor completes. No competitor explains what's actually in it. Here's the section-by-section breakdown:

Note: This represents the typical structure of Form B based on practitioner experience. The official form is available from the IRB website. Section labels and specific content may vary.

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What happens inside the assessor's office

The IRB assessment is entirely paper-based. There's no hearing, no interview, no chance to explain your case in person. Here's what actually happens behind the scenes:

The assessor is an IRB employee: Not an external consultant, not a judge, not a medical professional. They're trained staff who apply the Guidelines methodology to your file.

They work from your documents: The assessor reviews your Form A, medical reports (treating doctor and/or independent), receipts, and employer certificates. They don't investigate. They don't contact witnesses. They value what's in front of them.

They identify the dominant injury: The assessor determines which of your injuries is most severe. This becomes the anchor for the calculation. If you have neck and back soft tissue injuries, one will be classified as dominant based on severity and prognosis.

They map to Guidelines brackets: Each injury category has defined brackets (minor, moderate, severe). The assessor places your dominant injury within a bracket based on: recovery timeline, symptom severity, impact on daily life, and prognosis.

They calculate uplift for secondary injuries: Secondary injuries add a percentage uplift to the dominant injury award, typically 10-50%. The exact percentage depends on severity and overlap with the dominant injury's impact.

They add special damages: Verified expenses, lost earnings, and other out-of-pocket costs are added to the general damages figure.

They produce the Notice of Assessment: The final document states the total award but doesn't explain the reasoning. You won't see which bracket was applied or how the uplift was calculated.

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How your compensation is calculated

The IRB calculates compensation using the "dominant injury + uplift" method: your most severe injury is valued within its Guidelines bracket, secondary injuries add a percentage uplift (typically 10-50%), and verified special damages are added. This replaced the old Book of Quantum approach of adding each injury's full value.

The assessor identifies your most severe injury (the dominant injury) and values it within the Guidelines bracket. Any secondary injuries don't get their full separate value added. Instead, they provide a percentage "uplift" to the dominant award. The logic is that pain from multiple injuries overlaps in time.

How the assessor determines injury severity

The critical question no one explains: how does the assessor decide whether your injury is "minor," "moderate," or "severe"? Here are the factors they consider:

These factors interact. An injury with 18-month recovery but significant daily impact might be classified as moderate rather than minor.

What "substantial recovery" actually means

The Guidelines repeatedly use the phrase "substantial recovery" to determine which bracket applies. No competitor defines it:

This single definition determines your bracket. For soft tissue neck injuries:

Substantial recovery within 6 months → €500-€3,000

Substantial recovery within 6-12 months → €3,000-€6,000

Substantial recovery within 1-2 years → €6,000-€12,000

No substantial recovery within 2 years → Higher brackets apply

Worked example: multiple injury assessment

Here's how the assessor might calculate a typical car accident claim with multiple injuries. This is strictly illustrative - your case will differ based on your specific circumstances.

Scenario: Rear-end collision causing neck whiplash, lower back strain, and anxiety

Illustrative example only. Actual awards depend on your specific injuries, medical evidence, prognosis, and documented expenses. Every case is different.

Old method vs new method comparison

Illustrative example only. Actual awards depend on severity, prognosis, and individual circumstances. Awards vary case by case per the Judicial Council Guidelines 2021 [3].

The IRB also assesses special damages: out-of-pocket expenses like medical bills, physiotherapy, and lost earnings. These require receipts. Loss of earnings needs a Certificate of Loss of Earnings from your employer, not just payslips. If you received Illness Benefit, the IRB deducts that amount under the Recovery of Benefits scheme. ⁴

One thing the statute doesn't tell you: the median motor award in 2024 was €12,541. While this increased 17% from €10,692 in 2023, awards under the Guidelines remain significantly lower than pre-Guidelines levels. ¹ This catches many claimants by surprise if they're relying on older guides.

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Assessment vs mediation: which route suits you?

Since 12 December 2024, motor injury claimants can opt for IRB mediation [2] instead of the standard assessment. The Department of Enterprise announcement [6] confirmed this expansion to road traffic accidents (it was already available for employer liability claims).

Here's the practical difference:

Sources: IRB Mediation [2]; Gov.ie [6].

Choose assessment if: Liability is fully admitted, your injury is straightforward and stable, and you're comfortable with a Guidelines-based figure without negotiation.

Choose mediation if: There's a dispute over fault (contributory negligence is alleged), your injury has psychological elements, or you want a faster resolution. Mediation is designed to resolve claims significantly faster than the assessment pathway.

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What the Notice of Assessment contains

When the IRB completes its assessment, you receive a Notice of Assessment (sometimes called an "Order to Pay"). This document sets out the breakdown of your award: general damages (pain and suffering), special damages (expenses, lost earnings), and any deductions.

What the notice includes

Total award figure: The headline number combining all components.

General damages breakdown: The amount for pain and suffering. This is where the Guidelines methodology was applied.

Special damages breakdown: Verified out-of-pocket expenses: medical bills, physiotherapy, travel costs, and lost earnings with employer certification.

Deductions: Any amounts subtracted under the Recovery of Benefits scheme (Illness Benefit, Disability Allowance, etc.).

Dominant injury identified: The notice states which injury was treated as dominant. This is usually the only insight into the calculation methodology.

Deadline for response: The 28-day acceptance/rejection deadline is clearly stated.

What the notice doesn't include

The Guidelines bracket applied: You won't see whether your neck injury was classified as minor (€500-€3,000) or minor with longer recovery (€3,000-€12,000).

The uplift percentage: If you have secondary injuries, you won't see whether a 15%, 30%, or 50% uplift was applied.

Reasoning for prognosis classification: The notice doesn't explain why the assessor concluded you'd recover in "1-2 years" versus "6 months."

Comparison to similar cases: No context about how your award compares to others with similar injuries.

This opacity frustrates many claimants. In Wolfe v Personal Injuries Assessment Board [2022] IEHC 370, the High Court confirmed that the IRB has no statutory obligation to provide detailed reasons for its assessment. The notice, combined with the published Guidelines, is considered sufficient. From what we see in practice, if you want to understand the methodology, you'll need to map your injuries against the published Guidelines categories [3] yourself or ask a solicitor to review it.

You have 28 days to accept or reject. This deadline is strict. If you don't respond, the IRB treats it as a rejection. ⁴

Accept or reject: what to consider

About 50% of claimants accepted their IRB assessment in 2024, the highest acceptance rate since the Guidelines began. ¹ The consent rate (where respondents agree to participate) was 70% for the third consecutive year.

Factors to weigh:

If you accept: The respondent pays within 28 days. The case closes. No legal costs beyond any fees already incurred. Finality and certainty.

If you reject: The IRB issues an Authorisation to proceed to court. Court proceedings can take 2-3 additional years. You may get a higher award, but you face costs risk. Under Section 51A of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003 [8], if your court award is not more than the IRB assessment, you may bear your own costs from the date of the assessment, even if you "win."

In my experience handling these claims, I see people reject for two main reasons: the award seems too low compared to their expectations, or the injury hasn't fully resolved and they're worried about future costs. The second reason is more defensible. If you're still recovering and can't predict your final outcome, it may make sense to reject and await medical clarity, even though it extends the process. For detailed guidance, see our page on accepting or rejecting your IRB assessment.

Recent case law on IRB assessments

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Edge cases and exceptions

Psychological injuries: The IRB can now assess wholly psychological claims (e.g., PTSD, anxiety disorders) that previously went directly to court. The assessment requires a consultant psychiatrist's report confirming a diagnosed condition. "Upset" or "shock" alone doesn't qualify. The Guidelines include brackets for psychological injuries from minor to severe. ⁴

Multiple injuries from different accidents: Each accident is a separate claim. You can't bundle injuries from two crashes into one assessment. If you have concurrent claims, each follows its own timeline.

Injuries not yet stabilised: The IRB may delay issuing an assessment until your prognosis is clearer. This is one reason assessments extend beyond 9 months. You can't rush a "final" assessment if your treating doctor says recovery is ongoing.

Section 22 departures: In rare cases, the IRB can depart from the Guidelines if there are exceptional circumstances. These are uncommon and documented with reasons. Don't expect a departure in a typical soft tissue claim.

How to prepare for your assessment

Most of your preparation happens before the assessment phase begins, when you're gathering evidence for your IRB application. But if you're called for an independent medical exam, here's what helps:

1. Review your Form A. Refresh your memory on what you told the IRB about the accident and your injuries. Inconsistencies between your application and your exam answers can raise questions.

2. Prepare a symptom diary. Write down how the injury affects your daily life: what activities you've stopped, how your sleep is impacted, how your mood has changed. Specific details carry more weight than general complaints.

3. Bring a list of all injuries. If you mentioned back pain on Form A, mention it at the exam. Omitting an injury at the exam means it may be excluded from the assessment.

4. Consider a chaperone. You can request to have someone present. While not a statutory right, most doctors accommodate the request if you're anxious or vulnerable. Your chaperone can't speak for you but provides support and witnesses the interaction.

5. Know the outcome is verification, not diagnosis. The exam is short because the doctor is verifying and recording, not treating. Don't expect an hour-long consultation.

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Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different and outcomes vary. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.

References

All sources accessed January 2026 unless otherwise noted.

1. Injuries Resolution Board Annual Report 2024 (injuries.ie)
2. IRB Mediation Service (injuries.ie)
3. Personal Injuries Guidelines 2021 (Judicial Council)
4. Injuries Resolution Board (Citizens Information, Jan 2026)
5. IRB Medical Professionals Information (injuries.ie)
6. Minister Burke announces motor mediation service (Gov.ie, Dec 2024)
7. Medical Assessment Form (Form B) (injuries.ie)
8. Section 51A, Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003 (Irish Statute Book)
9. Delaney v Injuries Board [2024] IESC 18 (courts.ie)
10. Courts Service Judgments Database (courts.ie)