Damage to teeth claims
Damage to teeth claims in Ireland can arise from many different types of accidents where another party was responsible for causing the injury.
Common causes include:
- Road traffic accidents: Car, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents can result in broken, chipped or lost teeth following an impact to the face.
- Slips, trips and falls: Falls in public places or workplaces can cause significant dental injuries, including fractured or avulsed teeth.
- Workplace accidents: Construction sites, factories, warehouses and other workplaces can expose employees to accidents involving facial trauma and dental injuries.
- Sports accidents: Contact sports such as rugby, hockey, martial arts and football may result in damage to the teeth where another party was negligent.
- Defective products: Faulty safety equipment or defective products may fail to protect against dental injuries.
- Dental negligence: Errors during dental treatment may also result in damaged teeth and may give rise to a separate medical negligence claim.
To succeed in a damage to teeth claim, it must generally be shown that another party’s negligence caused the injury.
If your dental injury resulted from an accident that was not your fault, our solicitors can advise whether you may be entitled to compensation.
Compensation for damage to teeth
Source: Personal Injuries Guidelines
Compensation for damage to teeth c
laims depends on the severity of the injury, the number of teeth affected, the treatment required, and the long-term impact on your health and appearance.
The Personal Injuries Guidelines provide the following compensation brackets:
1. Loss of or serious damage to several front teeth
€12,500 – €30,000
Applies where multiple front teeth are lost or seriously damaged and extensive restorative treatment is required.
2. Loss of or serious damage to two front teeth
€7,000 – €15,000
3. Loss of or serious damage to one front tooth
€3,500 – €8,500
4. Loss of or damage to back teeth
€1,500 – €3,000 per tooth
The value of damage to teeth claims may increase where there is:
- Ongoing pain or sensitivity
- Root canal treatment
- Dental implants
- Crowns or bridges
- Long-term cosmetic issues
- Difficulty eating or speaking
- Future dental treatment requirements
General damages for pain and suffering may also be accompanied by special damages, including dental treatment costs, future treatment expenses, and loss of earnings where applicable.
Damage to teeth claims process
1. Contact our damage to teeth claim solicitor
Our experienced solicitors regularly advise clients on damage to teeth claims arising from workplace accidents, road traffic accidents and accidents in public places.
Early legal advice helps ensure that important evidence is preserved.
2. Submit your application to the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB)
Most personal injury claims in Ireland, including Damage to Teeth Claims, must first be submitted to the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB).
Claims commonly assessed by the IRB include:
- Workplace accidents
- Road traffic accidents
- Public liability accidents
Medical negligence claims are generally excluded from the IRB process.
3. Gathering medical evidence
Your solicitor will obtain:
- Dental records
- Medical reports
- X-rays
- Photographs
- Dental specialist reports
- Evidence of future treatment costs
This evidence is submitted with your claim.
4. Consent to assess the claim
Once your application is submitted, the IRB formally notifies the respondent.
The respondent has 90 days to decide whether to consent to the IRB assessing the claim.
If consent is given, the IRB proceeds with the assessment.
If consent is refused, the IRB issues an Authorisation allowing court proceedings to begin.
5. Claim assessment
Where the claim proceeds through the IRB, compensation is assessed using:
- Medical and dental evidence
- The Personal Injuries Guidelines
- Evidence of financial losses
If both parties accept the assessment, the IRB issues an Order to Pay.
If either party rejects the assessment, court proceedings may follow.
Statute of Limitations
In most cases, damage to teeth claims must be commenced within two years less one day from:
- the date of the accident; or
- the date of knowledge of the injury, where applicable.
Different limitation rules apply to children under the age of 18.
We recommend seeking legal advice as soon as possible after a dental injury to protect your legal rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What compensation is available for damage to teeth in Ireland?
Compensation for damage to teeth is assessed under the Personal Injuries Guidelines.
Awards depend on the severity of the injury, the number of teeth affected, the treatment required, and the long-term impact.
In addition to general damages for pain and suffering, claimants may recover special damages for dental treatment, implants, crowns, bridges, future treatment costs and loss of earnings where appropriate.
Can I claim for dental injuries caused by a road traffic accident?
Yes. Dental injuries sustained in a road traffic accident may form the basis of a personal injury claim.
Your solicitor will obtain dental records and specialist reports to establish the nature of the injury and the treatment required.
Where permanent damage has occurred, future treatment costs may also be recoverable.
Does a dental injury claim need to go through the IRB?
Most Damage to Teeth Claims arising from workplace accidents, road traffic accidents and accidents in public places must first be submitted to the Injuries Resolution Board.
If the respondent does not consent to the assessment, or either party rejects the assessment, court proceedings may then be commenced.
Medical negligence claims follow a different legal process.
How long do I have to make a damage to teeth claim in Ireland?
Generally, you have two years less one day from the date of the accident, or from the date of knowledge where applicable, to commence legal proceedings.
Different rules apply to minors.
Can I claim for the cost of implants or cosmetic dental treatment after an accident?
Yes. Reasonable dental treatment costs resulting from the accident may be recovered as special damages.
This may include implants, crowns, bridges, veneers, root canal treatment and future replacement costs where supported by appropriate dental evidence.
