When you suffer an injury that wasn’t your fault, your main focus should be on getting better. But all too often, the stress of legal paperwork and confusing procedures can get in the way. If you are preparing to make a personal injury claim in Ireland, you will need to go through the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB). We know this process can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to face it alone.
You might know the board by its old name, the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB). The system recently transitioned to the Injuries Resolution Board, bringing with it new rules, stricter deadlines, and an expanded focus on mediation for 2026. This change is designed to resolve claims faster and keep cases out of court where possible. However, the updated system also demands a much higher level of precision from the very start.
We are here to help. At HOMS Assist, we see law differently, as a caring profession. People come to us at difficult times, and they need someone who knows exactly what they are doing to champion their best interests. We have created this straightforward, nine-stage guide to show you exactly how the IRB process works in 2026. We will explain the steps, clarify the legal terms, and help you understand what happens next so you can move forward with confidence.
Stage 1: The Pre-Application Phase
The success of your claim often comes down to the actions you take in the first few weeks following your accident. Before you even submit an application to the IRB, there are strict legal steps you must follow.
The most urgent step is sending a ‘Section 8 Letter’. This is a formal written notice sent to the person or company responsible for your injury (the respondent). Legally, you must send this letter within one month of the accident. If you miss this deadline, it might not stop you from making a claim, but it could severely impact your case and result in financial penalties later on.
During this pre-application phase, gathering evidence is vital. This means identifying witnesses, recording the details of the incident, and requesting CCTV footage immediately. CCTV is routinely overwritten within 30 days. We act quickly to secure this footage, ensuring crucial evidence is protected and your rights are upheld from day one.
Stage 2: Securing Form B (Your Medical Report)
You cannot start an IRB claim without a medical report completed by your treating doctor. This document is known as Form B. The board uses this report to understand the exact nature and severity of your injuries.
In the 2026 system, your doctor must complete five mandatory fields on Form B for it to be accepted. One of these fields requires your doctor to use specific medical classifications known as ICD-10 codes. These codes provide a universally recognised description of your injury.
Crucially, the report must establish ‘clinical causation‘. This simply means your doctor must clearly state that your injuries were a direct result of the accident in question. We guide our clients through this step carefully, liaising with medical professionals to ensure the Form B is filled out accurately and completely. An incomplete Form B will simply be rejected, delaying your path to a better outcome.
Stage 3: Submitting Form A
Once your medical report is ready, it is time to complete your official application, known as Form A. This is where you detail the accident, your injuries, and the out-of-pocket expenses you have suffered.
You must provide your PPSN (Personal Public Service Number) to proceed. If your claim is against a business, we also carry out CRO (Companies Registration Office) verification. This ensures we are taking action against the correct legal entity. Naming the wrong company can invalidate your claim entirely.
The IRB operates a strict ‘No Report, No Entry’ policy. You cannot submit Form A without the completed Form B attached. Additionally, you will be asked if you wish to opt into the IRB’s mediation service. Mediation is a process where an independent person helps both sides agree on a settlement. We will advise you on whether mediation is the right strategic choice for your specific circumstances.
Stage 4: Validation and Section 50
When you submit Form A and Form B, along with the application fee, the IRB will check that everything is in order. Once they accept your application as complete, they will issue a formal acknowledgement. This triggers a very important legal protection known as Section 50.
In Ireland, the Statute of Limitations gives you exactly two years from the date of an accident to bring a personal injury claim. Section 50 pauses this two-year clock while the IRB deals with your case.
This pause protects your legal rights, ensuring your time limit does not expire while you wait for the board’s decision. We monitor these dates closely so you never have to worry about missing a critical deadline.
Stage 5: The Respondent’s 90-Day Decision Window
After your application is validated, the IRB will notify the respondent (and their insurance company). The respondent then has 90 days to decide whether they will consent to the IRB assessing your claim.
If they agree, the process moves forward. If they ignore the letter and do not reply within 90 days, the IRB treats their silence as ‘deemed consent’ and proceeds with the assessment anyway.
If the respondent refuses to consent, the IRB process stops. At this point, the board will issue you with an Authorisation. This is a legal document that allows us to take your case to court. We fight your corner every step of the way, and if court is the necessary path, we have the specialist expertise to guide you through it.
Stage 6: Resolution Triage
Assuming the respondent consents, your case enters the triage stage. The IRB will look at your file and decide which track is most suitable to resolve your claim: the Mediation Track or the Assessment Track.
If both you and the respondent opted into mediation during Stage 3, the board will appoint a mediator. The mediator will set up meetings (often over the phone) to see if a fair settlement can be reached quickly. We support you during these discussions to ensure any proposed settlement serves your best interests.
If mediation is not chosen, or if it fails to reach a result, your case moves to the standard Assessment Track. Here, the board’s assessors will decide the financial value of your claim based on the medical evidence provided.
Stage 7: Medical Verification and Waiting for Stabilisation
When a claim goes through the Assessment Track, it currently takes an average of 11.2 months for the IRB to issue an award. When you are hurting and out of pocket, waiting almost a year can feel incredibly frustrating. But this timeline is actually a positive necessity for your case.
Before placing a final value on your claim, your injuries must reach a point of medical stabilisation. This means you have either fully recovered, or your doctors can accurately predict any long-term limitations you will face. Assessing a claim too early is dangerous. If you accept a payout before the full extent of your injury is known, you cannot go back and ask for more money if your condition worsens later. The 11.2-month timeline protects you from settling too soon.
During this waiting period, we actively track your ‘Special Damages‘. These are your out-of-pocket expenses, such as loss of earnings, medical bills, travel costs to appointments, and pharmacy receipts. We ensure every single expense is documented and submitted to the board so you are fully reimbursed.
Stage 8: Valuation of Your Claim
When your injuries have stabilised, the IRB will calculate the financial value of your claim using the Personal Injuries Guidelines. In 2026, the board relies heavily on the ‘Dominant Injury + Uplift’ method.
If you suffered multiple injuries, for example, a broken arm and a sprained ankle, the board will identify the most severe injury as your ‘dominant injury’. They will look at the guidelines to find the financial bracket for that specific broken arm. To account for your sprained ankle, they will add a small percentage increase, known as an ‘uplift’, to the dominant injury value. They will not calculate the two injuries separately and add them together.
It is also important to note that the valuation guidelines are reviewed regularly. By 2026, we anticipate inflation adjustments to better reflect the current cost of living. We review the board’s calculations rigorously to ensure the proposed value is entirely fair and accurately reflects what you have been through.
Stage 9: The Notice of Assessment
The final step of the IRB process is the Notice of Assessment. The board will issue a formal document stating the exact amount of money they believe you should receive. Both you and the respondent must decide whether to accept or reject this amount. You have 28 days to make your decision, while the respondent has 21 days.
If both sides accept the assessment, the respondent is legally bound to pay you, and the case is resolved successfully.
If either you or the respondent rejects the assessment, the board will issue an Authorisation to take the case to court. However, rejecting an award comes with risks, specifically under Section 51A of the relevant legislation. If you reject the IRB’s assessment, go to court, and the judge awards you an amount that is equal to or less than what the IRB offered, you could be ordered to pay the respondent’s legal costs. We will clearly explain these risks, advise you on whether the board’s offer is genuinely fair, and help you make a safe, informed decision.
Moving Forward with Confidence
Navigating the Injuries Resolution Board requires patience, precision, and an in-depth understanding of the law. One missed deadline or one incomplete medical form can drastically affect your future. You deserve to focus on your recovery, not on decoding legal jargon or fighting with insurance companies.
At HOMS Assist, we are dedicated to securing a brighter future for our clients. We listen, we care, and we deliver practical, straightforward advice when you need it most. Our experienced team is here to manage the paperwork, protect your rights, and ensure you achieve a better outcome.
If you have been injured and need someone to fight your corner, we are ready to help. Contact us today to discuss your situation with a specialist team that is always on your side.
Frequently Asked Questions About the IRB Process
What is the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB) and how does it differ from the old PIAB? The IRB, formerly known as the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB), is the official body in Ireland that assesses most personal injury claims outside of the courts. The main difference is the IRB’s expanded use of mediation services, designed to help people resolve claims more efficiently and avoid lengthy litigation, while also introducing stricter deadlines and more detailed paperwork requirements for claimants.
How long does it really take to get an assessment from the IRB, and why is there a wait? The average wait for an assessment from the Injuries Resolution Board is currently 11.2 months, even though the statutory target is 9 months. This longer timeline is actually designed to protect you, giving enough time for your injuries to stabilise so the compensation reflects your true experience. It’s not down to paperwork delays, it’s about making sure you’re treated fairly and have the best chance of a full recovery before any final decision is made.
Do I have to worry if the respondent doesn’t reply or if my medical evidence isn’t perfect on the first try? No need to panic, if the respondent doesn’t reply within 90 days, your claim usually moves forward automatically with their “deemed consent.” As for medical evidence, it’s common for the IRB to ask for clarifications, especially if Form B is missing details like ICD-10 codes or clear causation. We guide you through updating your paperwork so you don’t lose time or risk rejection, your case keeps progressing toward a fair outcome.
If you’re at any stage of the IRB process and unsure what to do next, whether you need help gathering medical evidence, submitting paperwork, or making sense of deadlines, remember, you’re not alone. Reaching out to an experienced solicitor can save you time, prevent costly mistakes, and ensure your claim moves forward without unnecessary stress. We’re here to guide you, answer your questions, and stand by your side so you can focus on your recovery while we handle the details.
About the author: Clíodhna Finnin is a Senior Solicitor at HOMS Assist, specialising in personal injury law. With a strong academic foundation from the University of Limerick (LLB and LLM) and extensive experience in guiding clients through complex compensation claims, she combines legal precision with compassionate advocacy. Her expertise is evident in her detailed insights on navigating Ireland’s Injuries Resolution Board, ensuring clients achieve fair outcomes with confidence.
