IrelandWhat damages can I recover for personal injuries?
In Ireland, you can recover damages for personal injuries to compensate for pain and suffering, loss of earnings, medical expenses, and other financial losses — assessed fairly based on the injury's severity and impact.
What the Law Says
The Civil Liability Act 1961 is the primary statute governing personal injury damages in Ireland. It establishes the legal framework for assessing fair and reasonable compensation.
Under Irish law, damages for personal injury are intended to restore the injured person, as far as money can, to the position they would have been in had the injury not occurred. This includes both financial (special) and non-financial (general) losses.
General damages cover pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and psychological impact. Special damages cover quantifiable financial losses such as medical bills, travel costs, care expenses, and past and future loss of earnings.
There is no statutory upper limit on damages in Ireland — awards are determined case-by-case based on severity, prognosis, age, occupation, and evidence.
Statutory Text2.—(1) Where a person suffers personal injuries as a result of the wrongful act or omission of another person, he shall be entitled to recover damages in respect of those injuries.
— Civil Liability Act 1961, s. 2 — Entitlement to damages
What to Do
Seek immediate medical attention and keep all records (GP notes, hospital reports, prescriptions).
Report the incident if required (e.g., workplace accident to employer or the Health and Safety Authority).
Gather evidence: photos, witness contact details, receipts for expenses, payslips for lost income.
Consult a solicitor experienced in personal injury claims within the two-year limitation period.
File your claim in the appropriate court (District, Circuit, or High Court) depending on the value and complexity.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.