Personal Injury Solicitors*

Everything starts when you get in touch with us. During the initial consultation, we’ll talk through the circumstances of your accident, the injuries you’ve suffered, and any evidence you may already have, such as photographs, reports or witness details. We’ll ask a few questions to help us assess whether there’s a valid claim. At this point, we’re primarily looking for signs of negligence on someone else’s part.

We’ll also check the date of the accident to make sure it falls within the two-year limitation period. If time is tight, we act straight away to safeguard your legal position. If you decide to proceed, we’ll formally take you on as a client. From there, our team handles the legal process and keeps you informed at every step.

Soon after we take on your case, usually straight away, we issue a Section 8 letter (so called because it’s required under Section 8 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004) to the person or organisation responsible for your injury. This could be another driver, a shop owner, an employer, or a public authority.

The letter outlines the basics: that an accident occurred on a certain date, that you were injured, and that we are holding them responsible. It’s sent by registered post so we have confirmation of delivery.

Sending the Section 8 letter is the first formal step in your case. It puts the other side on notice that a claim is being made. In many cases, they’ll refer it to their insurance company straight away. Occasionally, an insurer might reach out early on with a settlement offer. If that happens, we’ll advise you, though in most cases these early offers are far too low, and it’s usually best to follow the proper assessment route to ensure fair compensation.

A crucial part of your claim is documenting your injuries and any related losses. Our team will work with you to compile all necessary evidence. This generally includes:

• Medical report
• Expenses and losses
• Evidence of the accident
• Expert opinions

This stage of gathering evidence is essential for building a strong case. You won’t be expected to manage it alone. We handle nearly all of it on your behalf. Your main role is to provide us with any documents you already have and to attend any medical examination we arrange. We take care of the rest.

Once we have all the key materials, your completed application form, the medical report, and the application fee (which we usually cover upfront and treat as a recoverable cost). We will submit your claim to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB), now officially called the Injuries Resolution Board.

After receiving the application, PIAB will notify the person or organisation you're claiming against and ask whether they consent to PIAB assessing the case.

If your claim remains with PIAB, they may ask you to attend an independent medical examination with a doctor from their own panel. This is common where the injuries are significant or complex. PIAB will then consider the medical evidence, along with any submissions on liability, although they don’t make findings of fault. Their role is to assess the value of your claim based on the assumption that the other party is liable.

PIAB uses the Judicial Council Personal Injuries Guidelines to calculate compensation figures. Their aim is to assess claims within approximately nine months from when all necessary documentation has been received. In practice, it can take a bit longer, but many assessments are indeed completed within that timeframe.

Once PIAB has completed its assessment, it will issue an Assessment Notice setting out the amount of compensation they believe is appropriate. This is usually split into:

• General damages (for pain and suffering)
• Special damages (for financial losses such as medical expenses or lost earnings)

Both you (the claimant) and the respondent have 28 days to either accept or reject the proposed award.

• If both parties accept, PIAB will issue an Order to Pay, which finalises the matter and makes the award legally binding.
• If either side rejects the award (or fails to respond within 28 days, which counts as a rejection), PIAB will issue an Authorisation. This allows the claim to proceed to court if you wish.

We will advise you carefully once the PIAB assessment is received. Sometimes, the award is fair and in line with our own valuation of your case. Other times, we may believe it undervalues your claim, and in those cases we’ll advise you to reject it and consider legal proceedings.

Our solicitors will compare the PIAB offer with:

• The valuation we’ve already discussed with you
• Outcomes in similar cases
• Your medical prognosis and long-term needs

Accepting the award can lead to quicker resolution and avoids court, but rejecting it might result in a higher amount later on, albeit with more time and legal steps involved. The choice is yours, but we’ll provide clear guidance based on experience and your best interests.

There are several points throughout a personal injury claim where settlement discussions may arise, often without the need for formal court proceedings.

We are highly experienced in settlement negotiations and always explore the option if it can deliver a fair result efficiently. Most insurers are also motivated to settle to avoid additional legal costs and court delays.

If we receive a settlement offer, we’ll discuss it with you in detail, giving our honest opinion on whether it reflects the true value of your claim.

Many of our cases are resolved at this stage. Settlement is often faster and less stressful than going to trial, but we will only advise it where the offer is fair and just. Your interests come first.

If a fair settlement cannot be reached, or if the other party outright denies responsibility, we will proceed with formal court action. Here’s what that involves:

We will draft a legal document known as a Personal Injuries Summons (effectively the legal proceedings) which outlines your case in detail, what occurred, how the other side was negligent, and the injuries and losses you’ve suffered. This document is then filed with the appropriate court. In Ireland, the court level depends on the value of the claim:

• Circuit Court hears most straightforward cases, particularly since the new guidelines.
• High Court is reserved for more serious or complex matters.

We’ll select the appropriate court to ensure your claim is fully and fairly assessed and that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Once the summons is issued, it is formally served on the defendant. At that point, they typically appoint solicitors (if they haven’t already via their insurer) and may file a Defence if they dispute the claim. This begins the exchange of information, a stage known as pleadings and discovery. Don’t worry: we manage all the legal processes involved, including collecting and disclosing documents. We’ll ask you for personal items like receipts or records, but we handle the legal work.

Once your case has been resolved, whether through PIAB, settlement, or a court decision, we act quickly to finalise matters. This includes arranging for the payment of your compensation. In most cases, we will receive the funds on your behalf, deduct any pre-agreed fees and disbursements, and promptly transfer the balance to you.

If your claim involves a structured settlement (such as for minors or particular injuries), we will explain how it works and guide you through any additional steps.

We’ll also advise on post-settlement matters such as tax (most personal injury awards in Ireland are not taxable, which is welcome news), and we can connect you with financial advisers if you’re considering investing the compensation.

Most importantly, we enjoy hearing how our clients are getting on afterwards. Many people come back to us with referrals or updates on their recovery, and we’re always glad to receive them.

This may seem like a lengthy process, but not every step applies to every case. At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we do everything in our power to streamline your journey. Our experience helps us anticipate potential delays and move things along efficiently: without ever compromising on quality, fairness, or results.

With over 30 years’ experience in personal injury litigation, our firm has long experience of personal injury work. We have deep roots in the community, based in Shannon, Co. Clare, and have supported clients from Clare, Limerick, Galway, Dublin, and throughout Ireland.

We use this experience to anticipate challenges early and work towards the best possible outcome for your case. Despite our growth, we remain a community-based practice that values every client. When you choose us, you’re supporting a firm that’s been a pillar of legal expertise in the West of Ireland for decades, and we honour that trust with genuine dedication to your claim.

At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we don’t treat clients like files or case numbers. We understand that behind every claim is a person dealing with pain, uncertainty, and financial stress. Our team is regularly commended for being approachable, understanding, and taking the time to really listen.

We’ll make sure we fully understand how your injury has affected you. You’ll have a dedicated solicitor looking after your case from start to finish, and you’ll always be able to reach them directly with any queries or concerns.

We’ll keep you updated on every step of the process.

Over the years, our personal injury team has acted for clients across a wide range of cases, from straightforward soft tissue injuries to complex, life-changing trauma. While we can’t publish individual outcomes here, we’ve helped hundreds of clients recover the compensation they needed to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, and to rebuild their lives.

Our solicitors are both strategic negotiators and determined litigators. Insurance companies and opposing legal teams know that we don’t settle for anything less than a fair outcome. Our reputation for professionalism is well earned. We are fully regulated by the Law Society of Ireland, and our team includes members of leading legal bodies committed to the highest standards in personal injury law.

You can trust that our knowledge is up-to-date. We stay abreast of changes to the Judicial Guidelines (2021), PIAB reforms (2022), and all other relevant developments. We’ll put our expertise to work in building the strongest possible case on your behalf.

One of the things that sets us apart is how thorough we are in managing your claim. Personal injury cases can involve many moving parts: notifying the other party, submitting the right paperwork, gathering medical evidence, calculating your losses, dealing with PIAB assessments, and sometimes initiating court proceedings. Crimmins Howard Solicitors takes care of the entire process for you.

Many members of our team at Crimmins Howard Solicitors live in the same communities as the people we represent. We’re not only your solicitors, but also your neighbours. We understand how an accident can disrupt your life, and we know the legal process can feel overwhelming. That’s why we take care to offer genuine support and reassurance, not just legal advice.

Trust is at the heart of every relationship we build with our clients. We operate with honesty and integrity in everything we do. From the very beginning, we’ll provide a straightforward assessment of your case, including its strengths, possible difficulties, and a realistic timeframe. We’ll also be fully transparent when it comes to our legal fees.

If key decisions need to be made during your case, such as whether to accept a PIAB award or a settlement offer, we will lay out your options and provide our professional recommendation. But the final decision always rests with you. We want you to feel confident and informed at every step.

Your wellbeing comes first. If you or anyone else is seriously injured, call emergency services (999 or 112 in Ireland) immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, it’s wise to see a doctor as soon as possible. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries (like whiplash or internal injuries) might not be obvious right away. Getting prompt medical attention not only protects your health but also creates a record of your injury, which will be important evidence later. Follow all medical advice and keep copies of any medical records or discharge notes you receive.

It’s important to officially report what happened to the relevant authorities or persons:

• Road Accidents: Call the Gardaí to the scene, especially if someone is injured or there’s significant damage. Even for minor crashes, it’s advisable to report to Gardaí. Also exchange information with the other driver(s), including names, contact details, vehicle registration and insurance details.
• Workplace Accidents: Inform your supervisor or manager immediately and ensure the incident is logged in the workplace’s accident report book or system. By law, workplaces should record accidents, especially those causing injuries.
• Public Place Accidents: Notify the owner or manager of the premises. If possible, get a copy of the report or the name of the staff member who took the details. For accidents on public property such as a footpath or council property, report it to the local authority.

Reporting creates an official record and often identifies witnesses. It also prevents the other side from later denying the accident happened. We can obtain copies of these reports later, but doing it on the day or soon after is key.

If you are able (or ask someone at the scene if you cannot) try to gather evidence right after the accident:

• Photographs or video
• Witnesses
• Details of the other party
• Keep damaged items
• Write down your own recollection.

We understand in the shock of the moment you might not collect all this and that’s okay. Do as much as you can. Often clients come to us without much evidence gathered and our team steps in to investigate, for example by obtaining CCTV from a shop. Note that many CCTV systems overwrite footage after a short time, so another reason we urge contacting a solicitor quickly is so we can formally request that such evidence is preserved. The more you document, the stronger the foundation of your case.

Start keeping receipts and records for any costs related to the injury. This includes medical bills such as GP visits, hospital charges, prescription medication, physiotherapy and counselling, travel costs to appointments such as taxis, fuel and parking, any medical devices or aids you buy like braces, crutches or a special chair, and if you have to pay someone for help such as home care or childcare because you can’t manage.

Early legal advice can make all the difference. When you contact Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we will immediately begin to protect your interests. We’ll ensure the notification letter is sent within the required timeframe.

We’ll advise you on any interactions with insurance companies. We’ll also give you tailored guidance based on your situation. Remember, Irish law is on your side as an injured person but it is a process to navigate. You don’t have to handle it alone. Our job is to make this easier for you.

After an accident, an insurance company for the person at fault might contact you, sometimes very soon, with a settlement offer or an invite to just work it out without lawyers. Be cautious. These early offers are often much lower than what you’re actually entitled to.

Once you settle, you generally cannot reopen the claim if you realise later that your injuries were more serious or long lasting than initially thought. It’s best to at least consult a solicitor before agreeing to any settlement. We’ve seen many people who thankfully came to us before signing anything and we secured them multiples of what they were originally offered.