Former Irish Air Corps technician Gary Coll secured a €2 million settlement after suffering severe health issues from toxic chemical exposure at Casement Aerodrome. His case exposes safety failures, hazardous initiation rituals, and systemic negligence. With nine lawsuits pending and a Defence Forces tribunal underway, it raises urgent questions about accountability and long-term health risks in the Irish military.
Personal Injury Claim Solicitors
At Coleman Legal LLP, our dedicated Personal Injury team has extensive experience handling various personal injury cases. We have successfully helped thousands of clients secure the compensation they deserve for injuries and illnesses caused by accidents or negligence. Whether you’ve been involved in an accident or are dealing with the aftermath of an injury, we are here to guide you through the process with expertise and compassion. For a confidential consultation, please call us at 1800-844-104 for free or email [email protected].
Table of Contents
What is a personal injury?
A personal injury is any physical or psychological harm caused to an individual due to another person or entity’s negligence or wrongful act. This can include injuries resulting from accidents, medical malpractice, or even intentional acts of violence. Examples of personal injuries include:
- A broken bone sustained in a car accident caused by another driver’s reckless behaviour
- A back injury caused by a fall at work due to an employer’s failure to maintain safe working conditions
- A traumatic brain injury caused by medical negligence during a surgical procedure
- Psychological harm such as PTSD as a result of an assault or abuse
- A burn injury caused by a defective product
In general, to make a personal injury claim, it is necessary to prove that the injury was caused by the negligence or wrongful act of another person or entity and the injury resulted in some loss or damage.
5 Key steps for filing a personal injury claim in Ireland
If you’ve suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, it’s essential to understand the process for pursuing a personal injury claim in Ireland. While every case is unique, the following steps outline the general procedure for making a claim:
1. Know your time limits
In Ireland, personal injury claims are subject to a statute of limitations. The general time limit for most claims is two years from the date of the accident or when the injury was first discovered. There are exceptions to this, such as in cases where the injury was not immediately apparent. You should start the process right away to avoid missing your opportunity. Our solicitors can just let you know about any exceptions that may apply to your case.
2. Consult with a Personal Injury Solicitor
Engaging a solicitor specialising in personal injury is essential in navigating the claims process. They will listen to the details of your case, advise you on your legal options, and guide you through the necessary paperwork. It’s helpful to prepare a timeline of the events leading to your injury and any information about the responsible parties (such as employers or drivers), as this will help your solicitor evaluate your claim.
3. Submit your claim to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB)
If your injury is not related to medical negligence, assault, or purely psychological harm, your next step will involve applying to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB). PIAB is responsible for evaluating personal injury claims in Ireland and can handle cases such as:
Your solicitor will assist you in compiling all relevant documents and evidence for PIAB’s review.
4. Await consent from the defendant
Once your claim is submitted to PIAB, the defendant (the party responsible for your injury) will be notified and has 90 days to indicate whether they consent to an assessment. If they approve, PIAB will assess your claim. If consent is not granted, PIAB will issue an authorisation that allows you to proceed with the claim in court.
5. Claim assessment and resolution
PIAB typically assesses cases in nine months. If both parties agree with PIAB’s assessment, an order for compensation will be issued, and the defendant must settle the amount within 10 days. If either party rejects the assessment, the claim may proceed to court, where a judge will determine the appropriate compensation.
Compensation amount
How much compensation you receive for a personal injury claim is dictated by two legally binding documents: The “Book of Quantum” and the recently published Personal Injuries Guidelines by the Judicial Council of Ireland. The Book of Quantum dictates how much compensation you are owed if your authorisation was received from PIAB before the 21st of April 2021. In all other cases, compensation for general damages is assessed with the Judicial Council’s Personal Injuries Guidelines.
The Book of Quantum sets general guidelines for the amounts awarded or assessed in Personal Injury Claims. The guidelines are divided into sections depending on what category of injury was suffered, e.g., head injuries, neck injuries, back injuries, spinal fractures, upper limb injuries, lower limb injuries, and body and internal organs. The Book of Quantum identifies four steps to assess appropriate compensation for the suffered injury. These steps are as follows:
- Identify the category of injury
- Assess the severity of the injury (through medical reports and records)
- Research the value range
- Consider the effect of multiple injuries
The Judicial Council adopted the Personal Injuries Guidelines on the 6th of March 2021. Similar to the Book of Quantum, this legal document sets out guidelines for assessing compensation regarding general damages. The general principles for this assessment centre on three criteria:
- Awards of damages must be fair and reasonable to both the claimant and the defendant(s)
- Awards must be proportionate to the injuries sustained
- Awards must be compared on a scale of injuries that are both of a lesser and greater magnitude
One of the most substantial differences brought about by this update is that the average level of damages awarded has been reduced. However, the new guidelines have provided more details and explanations for claimants, which is a welcomed change in making a personal injury claim.
Our personal injury team
We have wide-ranging experience in dealing with medical, work, motor, and accidents in Public Places. If you have been injured and wish to claim for your injury and loss or would like to know more about what is involved, please get in touch with our team today at 1800-844-104 or complete our online enquiry form. Please be assured that your query will be dealt with in total confidence.
If you are injured in an accident caused by somebody else, you may be entitled to bring a compensation claim. You must seek legal advice as soon as you can. It is important for you to seek legal advice as soon as you are able so that you have the best chance of success. This is true whether you have been injured at work, in a public place, or a road accident. Sometimes, an injury caused by somebody else can stop you from working and have a long-term effect on your health. The law is there to help and protect you when you have been injured. Our personal injury team provides a nationwide service with professional advice and service. We have many years of experience successfully dealing with thousands of claims on our client’s behalf.
Personal injury claim types
Our team of experienced Personal Injury Claim Solicitors at Coleman Legal continuously educates themselves on all aspects of personal injury claims.
Serious injury claim
- Head Injury
- Brain Injury
- Back & Spinal Injury
- Facial Injury
- Facial Fractures
- Eye Injury
- Broken Nose
- Broken Teeth
- Whiplash Injury
- Shoulder Injury
- Nerve Damage
- Back & Neck Injury
- Wrist Injury
- Hand Injury
- Elbow Injury
- Knee Injury
- Pelvis & Hip Injury
- Leg injury & Amputation
Road traffic accident claim
- Car Accident
- Bicycle Accident Claim
- Motorcycle Accident Claim
- E-Bike / E-Scooter Accident Claim
- Taxi Accident Claim
- Bus Accident Claim
- Pedestrian Accident Claim
- Public Transport Accident Claim
- Luas Accident Claim
- Other Major Road Traffic Accident claims
Factory accident claim
- Asbestosis Claim
- Mesothelioma Claim
- Warehouse Accident Claim
- Industrial Accident Claim
- Crush Injury Claim
- Overexposure Claim
- Defective Equipment Claim
- Loss of Limb Claim
- Noise-induced hearing Loss Claim
Construction accident claim
- Building Site Accidents Claim
- Machinery Handling Accidents Claim
- Defective Machinery Accidents Claim
- Moving Vehicle Accidents Claim
- Welding and Chemical Burns Claim
- Electrical Injury at Work Claim
- Slip and Fall Injury Claim
- Forklift Accident Claim
- Scaffolding Accident Claim
Other accidents in the workplace claim
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Noise-induced hearing Loss Claim
- Repetitive Strain Injury
- Fishing Accident Claim
- Warehouse Accident Claim
- Meat Factory Accident Claim
- Defence Forces Accident Claim
- Agency Worker Injury Claim
- Retail Staff Injury Claim
Accidents in public places claim
- Accidents in a Supermarket
- Car Park Accidents
- Claims made against a council or local authority for accidents on a footpath, in a park, or another improperly managed public area.
- Slips, trips, and falls in public places
- Accidents in a Hotel
- Accidents in a Restaurant
- Food Poisoning from a Restaurant
- Accident on a Petrol Station Forecourt
- Accidents Caused by Spillages
- Crèche Accident Claim
Statute of Limitations
You have two years from the accident date within which to issue proceedings. If you are under 18, a separate set of rules apply, and we would recommend you contact our solicitors to talk about these. You can click here to learn more about the statute of limitation for a personal injury claim.
Why choose Coleman Legal LLP?
At Coleman Legal, we understand our clients’ circumstances. We know that because you are reading this part of our website, you have likely been involved in an accident and perhaps have been injured. At times like this, you will need the support of an experienced firm that can help you with the practical issues that are now dealing with you as a result of the fault of another. For example, you may need to understand your Social Welfare entitlements should you be out of work. Also, you need to know that your legal advisers will obtain all of the essential Reports that may be required to ensure that you get the best outcome in your case. We provide a national service and can meet you locally to ensure you have a voice and access to the best advice and resources for your particular case. Our service concerns you, the client, and we speak plain English with no unnecessary legal jargon. Our teams have dealt with thousands of claims over many years and pride ourselves on our respectful and concerned approach to all of our clients.
Our team
From your first contact with Coleman Legal LLP to completing your case, our team listens, cares and acts with empathy, whatever the extent of your injury. Our teams have the understanding and expertise to make sure that your injury is professionally and adequately dealt with to ensure the best outcome for you in your case regularly. Our team will manage your case periodically and let you know the progress. Our commitment and service to you will include:
- Working with you to fully understand what happened,
- Collect all medical notes and obtain all medical reports for you.
- Submit your claim to the Injuries Board, and advise you on the outcome.
- Process your case and deal with all queries.
- Advise and support you throughout the whole process.
If you want to take legal action over a personal injury, consult our personal injury claim solicitors, who are members of the Law Society’s injury accreditation.
Coleman Legal LLP
Solicitors
84 Talbot Street, Dublin 1
D01 YX60
Contact Details
Free Phone: 1800-844-104
Fax: 01-53-12727
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.colemanlegalpartners.ie
Online Enquiry Form: Apply
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
Clodagh Magennis
Head of Client Services
P: 1800-844-104
E: [email protected]
”At Coleman Legal, excellence in customer care is paramount. We aim to meet both prospective and existing client’s needs in a professional, engaging, and friendly manner with a clear objective to give quality legal advice and reach a positive outcome.”