PIAB is the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, the independent statutory body in Ireland (now operating as the Injuries Resolution Board) that assesses most personal injury claims before they can go to court. If you have been injured in a road accident, workplace incident, or public place in Dublin, your claim almost always starts with PIAB. Understanding what it does, how it values claims, and where its limits lie is the first step in protecting the compensation you deserve.
PIAB Explained: Ireland’s Personal Injuries Assessment Board
PIAB is a State body established under the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003 that independently assesses the value of personal injury claims in Ireland. It does not decide fault. It does not run a trial. It reviews medical evidence and applies the Personal Injuries Guidelines to recommend a compensation figure, allowing claims to settle without litigation.
For most accident victims in Dublin, PIAB is a mandatory step. You cannot issue court proceedings for a personal injury until PIAB has either assessed your claim or issued an Authorisation to proceed to court. This rule applies to motor accidents, workplace injuries, and public liability incidents, with limited exceptions such as medical negligence claims.
What PIAB Does in a Personal Injury Claim
PIAB receives your application, notifies the at-fault party (the respondent), and waits for their consent to assess. If the respondent agrees, PIAB instructs an independent medical assessment, reviews your loss of earnings, treatment costs, and future care needs, and issues an assessment. The figure reflects general damages under the Judicial Council’s Guidelines and any specific financial losses you have documented.
When You Must Apply to PIAB Before Court
Almost every personal injury claim in Ireland must pass through PIAB first. The statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of injury or knowledge, and submitting a complete PIAB application pauses that clock. Missing this step or applying late can end your claim entirely, which is why early legal advice matters before deadlines tighten.
Understanding what PIAB is gives you the definition. The more useful question is how a personal injury claim moves forward from the moment of the accident through assessment, negotiation, and, if needed, litigation.
How the PIAB Assessment Process Works in Dublin
After your application is submitted, PIAB sends Form B to the respondent, who has 90 days to consent to assessment. If consent is given, PIAB instructs a medical examination, often in or near Dublin, and gathers vouched evidence of your financial losses. Assessment typically takes around 9 months from respondent consent.
The assessment is based on the Personal Injuries Guidelines adopted by the Judicial Council, which set benchmark ranges for different injuries. The board does not negotiate, and it does not factor in disputed liability. That is its strength and its limit. A clean, well-documented claim with strong medical evidence gives the closest reflection of true value, which is why how compensation amounts are calculated shapes the strategy from day one.
Documents, Medical Evidence, and Timelines
You need a completed medical report from your treating doctor, receipts for treatment, payslips or accountant letters for lost income, and proof of out-of-pocket costs. Weak evidence produces a weak assessment. Strong, organised, expert-supported evidence positions the file properly before PIAB applies the Guidelines.
Accepting, Rejecting, or Moving Beyond a PIAB Award
Once PIAB issues an assessment, you have 28 days to accept and the respondent has 21 days. If both sides accept, an Order to Pay issues and the claim resolves. If either party rejects, or the respondent refuses consent at the outset, PIAB issues an Authorisation letting you bring the claim to court. Many claims with disputed liability, complex injuries, or undervalued assessments need litigation to reach fair compensation, which is exactly when court proceedings make sense under expert legal guidance.
Conclusion
PIAB is Ireland’s statutory gateway for personal injury claims, assessing value independently against the Judicial Guidelines before any court action begins.
For injured drivers, workers, and pedestrians in Dublin, knowing how PIAB works protects deadlines, evidence, and the true value of your claim from the start.
We at Gary Matthews Solicitors – Injury Law guide you through PIAB and beyond. Contact us today for a confidential case review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PIAB the same as the Injuries Resolution Board?
Yes. PIAB was rebranded as the Injuries Resolution Board in 2024, with expanded mediation functions, but its core assessment role remains unchanged for Dublin claimants.
How long does a PIAB claim take in Dublin?
Most assessments conclude within 9 months of respondent consent. Complex injuries, delayed medicals, or refused consent can extend timelines or trigger Authorisation to court.
Do I need a solicitor for a PIAB claim?
You are not required to use one, but unrepresented claimants often submit weaker evidence and accept lower assessments. A solicitor strengthens medical, financial, and legal preparation.
What happens if PIAB cannot assess my claim?
PIAB issues an Authorisation, allowing you to bring court proceedings. This happens when the respondent refuses consent or the injury falls outside PIAB’s remit.
Can I reject a PIAB assessment?
Yes. You have 28 days to reject. If you do, PIAB issues an Authorisation and your claim proceeds to negotiation or litigation with legal representation.
