According to the Court Service, a total of 22,049 personal injury claims were filed across all Court levels in Ireland in 2018, slightly down from 22,417 the previous year.
Personal Injury Awards in Lower Courts
Despite the minor decline in filings, awards in the lower courts increased.
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District Court: Total awards rose from €3.5 million in 2017 to €4.5 million in 2018, with the average award increasing 4.5%, from €7,643 to €7,987. Maximum awards in this court can reach €15,000.
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Circuit Court: Total awards increased from €20 million to €23.6 million, with the average award rising 2.8%, from €18,488 to €19,014. The Circuit Court can award up to €60,000.
These figures highlight a modest but notable growth in compensation for less serious injuries at lower court levels.
Judicial Commentary
Former High Court President Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns observed that while the Court of Appeal had recalibrated higher-end awards, awards in lower courts remained largely unchanged.
The Personal Injuries Commission recommended establishing a Judicial Council to standardise awards for less severe injuries. Legislation to set up the Council was approved by the Dáil in July 2019.
Chief Justice Frank Clarke cautioned that decreases in awards should be considered carefully but noted that the drop in average High Court awards remains a significant factor in the ongoing discussion about compensation reform.
