PIAB announces timetable for launch

“From the 1^st of June this year all personal injury claims arising from workplace accidents where an employee is seeking compensation from his or her employer, must be referred to PIAB before legal proceedings are issued”

The Chief Executive of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB), Patricia Byron, today announced to the Press the timetable leading to the start up of the PIAB.

“From the 1^st of June this year all personal injury claims arising from workplace accidents where an employee is seeking compensation from his or her employer, must be referred to PIAB before legal proceedings are issued”, said Patricia Byron. Later on in the year PIAB will extend its remit to include both public liability and motor accidents involving injury.

The establishment of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board is a fundamental component of the Government’s Insurance Reform Programme led by the Tanaiste Mary Harney, T.D. and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment.

Outlining the timetable for action Patricia Byron advised that from tomorrow (13^thof May) the PIAB’s website www.piab.ie will go live and also a new Lo-Call number 1890 829 121 will be launched. From tomorrow people can telephone this number between 8 am and 8 pm Monday to Saturday and they will be provided with a full information service. By the start of next month claimants will be able to ring this number and receive assistance with their application.

PIAB staff will be based at a new office in Tallaght. It will not be a public office. Correspondence with PIAB will be by telephone, email or written. The PIAB process will not involve oral hearings. The Lo-Call number will be linked into an outsourced service centre provider based in Co.Cork. Call handling and claim preparation will be dealt with there.

Within a month the PIAB will publish the Book of Quantum on their website. This Book is being compiled from recent awards and settlements as a guide to the current level of compensation.

“PIAB will not reduce the level of compensation to claimants but it will provide a speedier and more efficient service to claimants who are entitled to compensation because they have been the victim of someone else’s negligence. Independent research indicates that in Ireland claimants have to wait six times longer than people in the UK for negotiations to even commence on their claims” said Dorothea Dowling Chairperson of PIAB who chaired the Press Briefing.

Summing up the Press Briefing Patricia Byron concluded that PIAB’s success will be measured by what it delivers – “a speedy independent assessment service which will curtail the costs associated with personal injury claims. This will benefit consumers, business and society as a whole”.