Personal Injury Solicitors for Dublin, Galway and Mayo
O'Sullivan Kenny Personal Injury Solicitors act in personal injury claims after road traffic accidents, accidents at work and accidents in public places. We act for clients in Dublin, Galway and Mayo.
Or call our 24/7 line on +353 (1) 4444 813.
By law, a solicitor can't charge fees in a personal injury claim as a percentage of any compensation, or deducted without prior written agreement.
Road traffic accidents
O'Sullivan Kenny Personal Injury Solicitors act for drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians injured in collisions on Irish roads. In most road traffic claims, the insurer of the driver at fault deals with the claim.
If the other driver had no insurance or can't be traced, a claim may be made to the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland.
If you have been charged with a driving offence after a collision, that is a separate criminal matter. See our driving offences page.
Accidents at work
Employers have a legal duty to take reasonable care for the safety of their employees. We act for people injured at work, for example in falls from height, lifting injuries, machinery accidents and accidents on construction sites.
Accidents in public places
The people who run shops, supermarkets, hotels, car parks and other premises must take reasonable care for the safety of visitors. We act for people injured on premises like these, for example after a slip on a wet floor or a trip on a damaged step.
What to do after an accident
Get medical help first if you need it. Keep a note of every appointment.
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If you make a claim, you will need a report from the doctor who treated you.
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After a road collision, drivers must stop and stay at the scene for a reasonable time. If anyone is injured and no Garda is at the scene, the collision must be reported to the Gardaí as soon as possible.
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Take photos of the scene and of what caused the accident, such as a spill or a broken paving slab. Write down the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
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Report an accident at work to your employer and an accident in a shop or other premises to the manager. Ask for it to be recorded.
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Keep receipts for medical bills, prescriptions, physio and travel to appointments. Keep a record of any time off work too.
How a personal injury claim works
Almost all personal injury claims in Ireland start with the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB), an independent State body. Medical negligence claims are the main exception. They go straight to court.
The law says the person or business a claim is against should get a letter setting out the claim within one month of the accident. If the letter is late, a court can take that into account when it decides who pays legal costs.
The Injuries Resolution Board
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An application goes to the IRB with a report from the doctor who treated you.
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The IRB tells the person or business the claim is against, known as the respondent. The respondent has 90 days to say whether they agree to the IRB assessing the claim.
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For accidents at work and in public places, the IRB also offers mediation. It is voluntary, so both sides have to agree to it.
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If the respondent agrees to an assessment, the IRB values the claim using the Personal Injuries Guidelines adopted by the Judicial Council. Most claims are assessed within nine months of the respondent agreeing.
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If both sides accept the assessment, the claim ends there and the respondent pays the amount assessed. If either side rejects it, or the respondent refuses an assessment, the IRB issues an authorisation. This allows the claim to go to court.
The IRB's website, injuries.ie, explains the process in more detail.
If the claim goes to court
With an authorisation, the claim can go to the District Court, the Circuit Court or the High Court, depending on its value.
If you reject an assessment the respondent accepted and the court awards the same or less, you will usually pay both sides' legal costs.
Time limits
In most cases, a personal injury claim has to be brought within two years. The two years run from the date of the accident, or from the date you knew you had been injured if that is later.
Applying to the IRB stops the clock. It starts again six months after the IRB issues an authorisation.
For a child, a parent or guardian can bring a claim at any time before the child turns 18. Otherwise, the two years start on the child's 18th birthday.
Missing the time limit can mean a claim can't go ahead.
Our fees
There is a fee for the first consultation of €123. This consultation fee will be refunded if the case is settled in favour of the client.
Before we start work on a claim, we set out our fees in writing, as the law requires.
A solicitor can't charge fees in a personal injury claim as a percentage of any compensation. A solicitor also can't take fees out of your compensation unless you agree in writing first. Both rules come from section 149 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015.
If a claim goes to court and doesn't succeed, the court can order you to pay the other side's legal costs.
Clients in Galway and Mayo
Our office is in Dublin 7. We also act for clients in Galway and Mayo. We can meet in person, by phone or video call, so you don't have to travel to Dublin.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to make a personal injury claim?
Usually two years from the date of the accident, or from the date you knew you had been injured if that is later. The time limit is paused while the Injuries Resolution Board deals with a claim and for six months after it issues an authorisation.
Do I need a solicitor to apply to the Injuries Resolution Board?
No. You can apply to the Injuries Resolution Board yourself. A solicitor can deal with the application for you and with any court case that follows.
How much does a personal injury solicitor cost?
There is a €123 fee for the first consultation. This consultation fee will be refunded if the case is settled in favour of the client. After that, we set out our fees in writing before any work starts. By law, fees in a personal injury claim can't be a percentage of any compensation.
How is compensation worked out?
The Injuries Resolution Board and the courts use the Personal Injuries Guidelines adopted by the Judicial Council. The amount depends on the injury and how it affects you, plus costs such as medical bills and lost earnings.
Can you act for me if I live in Galway or Mayo?
Yes. We act for clients in Galway and Mayo and we can meet in person, by phone or video call.
What if the driver who hit me had no insurance?
A claim can be made to the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland if the other driver was uninsured or can't be traced.
I've been charged with a driving offence after a collision. Can you help?
Yes. That is a criminal matter and is separate from any injury claim. See our driving offences page.
Contact us
Our phone line operates 24/7, if you want to call now, or you can submit the form below. We reply within one working day.
O'Sullivan Kenny Solicitors is regulated by the Law Society of Ireland.