Women accounted for 70 per cent of awards for personal injuries in public places over the last two years, the Injuries Board said today.
An analysis of claims in the 24 months up to December 2008 also reveals that the total value of public liability awards made was €65.4 million.
A total of 56 per cent of personal liability accidents took place in privately owned establishments, with almost a quarter happening in shops. Almost 20 per cent happened in a pub, nightclub or restaurant and 13 per cent took place in leisure facilities such as sports clubs, gyms and cinemas.
More than a quarter of awards (27 per cent) were made against local authorities while 6 per cent involved transport and utility services, according to Injuries Board, which was formerly the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Piab).
The board was set up in 2004 as part of the Government’s reform programme to tackle the high costs associated with personal injury claims. All personal injuries claims, except psychological damage, medical negligence and Garda compensation, must be brought before the board, but the respondent can chose to have the case heard in the courts.
Claimants, however, only have recourse to the courts after the board has made a determination if they are unhappy with the decision or level of award.
Slips, trips and falls accounted for 67 per cent of personal injuries in a public place. Other causes included being struck by a falling or flying object (11 per cent), being injured by machinery (5 per cent), burns/scalding (2 per cent) and food poisoning (1 per cent).
Sprains (40 per cent) were the most common injury, followed by bruising (32 per cent), fractures (29 per cent) and lacerations (25 per cent).
Half of the awards over the two-year period went to people over 45, even though they account for just one third of the population.
The highest percentage of awards went to Dublin (37 per cent), followed by Munster (31 per cent), the rest of Leinster (22 per cent) and Connaught/Ulster (10 per cent).
On a per-head of population basis residents in Dublin are 32 per cent more likely to receive an award than in other regions, according to the study.
The average public liability award was €22,865, while over half the awards were for amounts of less than €20,000. One in six (17 per cent) of all awards made by InjuriesBoard.ie related to public liability with an average processing time of seven months
“During these tough economic times, some companies and organisations who admit the public to their facilities may be tempted to cut their investment in health and safety,” InjuriesBoard.ie Chief Executive Patricia Byron said in a statement.
“That kind of approach can backfire, particularly, if you operate in a very competitive and accident-prone sphere such as retail.
She said public- and private-sector organisations should review the measures they have in place to prevent accidents in retail, hospitality, leisure and public spaces.
“Consumers must also take responsibility for accident prevention and be vigilant to the risks they face,” Ms Byron added..
