The Board’s award values report for 2024 highlights key trends from over 20,000 personal injury claim applications and more than 8,000 awards.

Claim numbers were 35 per cent lower in 2024 than in 2019, with claims for accidents in workplaces, businesses and public spaces down by 40 per cent and motor claims down by 30 per cent.

There was a five per cent decrease in workplace injury claims compared to 2023, while claims for accidents in businesses and public spaces remained unchanged.

In total, 20,318 personal injury claim applications were submitted to the Injuries Resolution Board for road traffic accidents, workplace accidents and public-setting accidents in 2024, an increase of just one per cent on 2023 figures.

The award figures highlight the impact of the personal injuries guidelines introduced in 2021, with the median award value in 2024 standing at €13,000, down by 29 per cent since 2020, while the average award value was €18,967, down by 21 per cent.

Enterprise, trade and employment minister Peter Burke said: “I welcome the Injuries Resolution Board’s latest report which again shows strong evidence for the impact that the Board has in offering a cost effective and expedient solution for settling claims and reducing the need to go to court thereby saving millions of euros that would have been spent on legal fees.

“As personal injuries claims continue to fall in both volume and value, I expect to see this reflected in both the cost and the availability of insurance premiums for citizens and businesses.

“In the government’s new action plan for insurance reform I will ensure that the work of the Injuries Resolution Board is further strengthened to continue to drive the important issue of insurance reform, taking account of the wider issue of competitiveness and potential impacts on our economy.”

Dr Lauren Swan, head of research and policy at the Injuries Resolution Board, said: “Our latest award values report shows that despite record employment levels and a return to pre-pandemic traffic volumes, personal injury claim volumes in 2024 remained 35 per cent lower than 2019.

“While this report highlights a significant 29 per cent reduction in the median value of personal injury awards under the guidelines, it is crucial to consider not only the savings achieved from more consistent award values, but also the overall reduction in personal injuries claims.

“This new environment underscores the importance of our research and the ongoing monitoring of trends in the personal injury landscape.”

Injuries Resolution Board CEO Rosalind Carroll added: “Today’s report highlights significant decreases in claim volumes since 2019, with an overall reduction of 35 per cent maintained year-on-year.

“Public liability and employer liability claims have decreased by over 40 per cent, and in 2024, there was no increase in public liability claims and a five per cent decrease in employer liability claims.

“This is an important trend given the historical challenges in the affordability and availability of insurance in these areas.

“The report also shows that respondents are choosing our services in record numbers, with consent rates now at 71 per cent, and acceptance of our awards is also up.

“The personal injuries guidelines were introduced in 2021 to provide certainty and consistency in award values. Since they were introduced, we have assessed over 30,000 claims using the guidelines.

“This report highlights the value of our data in bringing transparency to this area and provides a valuable resource for policymakers and the public, offering insights and trends to help inform policy and assess risk.”