Choosing a personal injury claim solicitor is one of the most consequential decisions you will make following an accident or injury.
The solicitor you work with will be responsible for gathering evidence, instructing experts, navigating the Personal Injuries Resolution Board (PIRB) process, and, if proceedings are necessary, presenting your claim in court.
The outcome of your claim, and your experience of the legal process, will be shaped significantly by the quality of that representation.
Coleman Legal LLP is a Dublin-based personal injury practice.
Our solicitors advise individuals across Ireland who have been injured as a result of another party’s negligence in road traffic accidents, workplace incidents, public liability claims, and medical negligence cases.
This page sets out who our solicitors are, the types of personal injury claims we handle, and how to take the first step.
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 drivers reckless behaviour
- A back injury caused by a fall at work due to an employers 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.
Steps for filing a personal injury claim in Ireland
Making a personal injury claim in Ireland involves a defined sequence of steps from understanding whether you have a legal basis for a claim, through the PIRB application process, to court proceedings where required.
The process, the parties involved, the role of contributory negligence, and the relevant limitation periods are covered in detail in our Personal Injury Claim Application Guide.
For a step-by-step walkthrough of the claim process in Ireland, see: Personal Injury Claim Application Guide
Compensation in personal injury cases
Compensation in personal injury cases in Ireland is assessed under the Personal Injuries Guidelines 2021, adopted by the Judicial Council under the Judicial Council Act 2019.
The Guidelines set out indicative compensation ranges for injuries, from minor soft tissue injuries to catastrophic harm.
The amount in any individual case depends on the nature and severity of the injury, its impact on the claimant’s daily life and earning capacity, and any additional financial losses incurred.
For cases arising before 24 April 2021, the Book of Quantum remains the applicable reference framework.
Our solicitors can advise on which framework applies to your case and what the relevant ranges indicate for an injury of the type you have sustained.
Why instruct Coleman Legal for a personal injury claim
Coleman Legal is a Dublin-based practice with a dedicated personal injury and medical negligence team.
We advise clients across Ireland and handle claims at every level of the Irish court system, from District Court proceedings to High Court actions.
Our approach is to advise clearly on the legal position at each stage on whether the facts of the case support a claim, on the evidence needed to establish liability, on the range of compensation that applies to the injury in question, and on the likely timeline and process.
We work with a network of independent medical, engineering, and actuarial experts whose reports form the evidential backbone of our clients’ cases.
Where the case can be resolved through the PIRB process, we manage the application on our clients’ behalf.
Where PIRB is not the appropriate route, whether because the claim type is exempt, liability is disputed, or a PIRB assessment has been rejected, we progress to court proceedings without delay.
Our personal injury claim solicitors
Coleman Legal’s personal injury team is led by solicitors with specific expertise in the full range of personal injury claim types from road traffic accidents and workplace incidents to catastrophic injury and medical negligence.
Our injury claim solicitors advise clients at every stage of the legal process, from the initial assessment of a potential claim through to settlement or, where necessary, High Court proceedings.
Philip Treacy is a solicitor at Coleman Legal with experience in personal injury and employer liability claims. He advises clients on claims arising from workplace accidents, occupational exposure, and road traffic incidents, and has managed cases requiring multi-disciplinary expert input, including engineering, medical, and actuarial evidence.
Diane Treanor is a solicitor at Coleman Legal with a focus on medical negligence and serious personal injury claims, including birth injury and catastrophic injury cases. She advises clients and families where injuries have resulted in significant long-term consequences, co-ordinating the specialist expert evidence required in complex cases.
Rose Sweeney is Head of Litigation at Coleman Legal. She manages the litigation function across the firm’s personal injury and medical negligence caseload, ensuring cases are prepared and progressed effectively from instruction through to resolution.
Our team also includes Patrick Coleman, Kathrin Coleman, Keith Rolls, and Norman Spicer. To speak with one of our solicitors about a potential personal injury claim, contact our office on 01 531 3800.
Time limit
You have two years from the accident date within which to issue proceedings.
If you are under 18, a separate set of rules applies, and we would recommend you contact our solicitors to talk about these.
You can click here to learn more about the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right personal injury claim solicitor in Ireland?
The right personal injury claim solicitor is one whose practice focuses on personal injury and who has experience with the specific type of claim you are bringing.
A road traffic accident claim, a workplace accident claim, and a medical negligence claim each require different expertise, different expert networks, and familiarity with different legal frameworks.
When choosing a solicitor, it is worth asking whether the firm handles claims of your specific type regularly, who will be managing your case day-to-day, and what the firm’s approach is to cases that require court proceedings.
A solicitor should be able to explain the process clearly, give you a realistic assessment of the claim’s prospects based on the facts, and advise you on the timeframe involved.
All solicitors in Ireland are regulated by the Law Society of Ireland.
Coleman Legal LLP is additionally regulated by the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA).
What should I bring to my first meeting with a personal injury claim solicitor?
At an initial consultation, the solicitor will need to understand the basic facts of what happened, the date, location, and circumstances of the accident or injury, who was involved, and what injuries were sustained.
It is helpful to bring any documentation you already have: a GP or hospital letter confirming treatment, a Garda report if one was made, photographs of the scene or the injury taken at the time, any written correspondence with the other party or their insurer, and details of any witnesses.
You do not need to have a complete file of evidence at this stage; gathering evidence is part of what the solicitor does on your behalf.
The initial meeting is primarily about the solicitor understanding the facts and giving you an initial view of whether the circumstances support a legal claim.
What is the solicitor’s role once I instruct them on a personal injury claim?
Once instructed, the solicitor takes responsibility for managing the legal process on your behalf.
This includes
- Writing to the defendant to put them on notice of the potential claim;
- Obtaining your medical records and GP notes;
- Identifying and instructing the appropriate independent medical expert to assess your injuries and
- Provide a report; determining whether PIRB is the correct route for your claim and
- If so, making the PIRB application; and,
- If court proceedings become necessary, prepare and issue those proceedings within the limitation period.
Throughout this process, the solicitor keeps you informed of progress, explains any significant developments, and advises you on decisions such as whether to accept or reject a PIRB assessment that requires your instruction.
Our personal injury claim solicitors provide clear updates at each stage so that clients understand where their case stands.
