How Long Does a Work Accident Claim Take?

Typical timelines for a work accident claim

Many workplace claims resolve within about 12 to 18 months from the point the claim is ready to be lodged, although it can be shorter or longer depending on the circumstances.

A useful way to think about timing is to split the claim into two parts.

1) Preparing the claim before it is submitted

This stage can take a few weeks to a few months.

Common steps include:

• getting medical treatment and follow-up
• obtaining a medical report
• gathering evidence such as accident book entries, incident reports, photographs, and witness details
• collecting documents to support your losses, such as wage records, receipts, and evidence of travel costs

In many cases, a claim should not be finalised until your injuries have stabilised, or your doctor can give a reliable prognosis. If you submit too early, your compensation may not reflect the full impact of the injury.

2) The Injuries Resolution Board stage

Once an application is lodged with the Injuries Resolution Board, the process has defined stages.

• Consent stage – After your application is submitted, the respondent is given a period to confirm whether they consent to the Board assessing the claim. This period can be up to 90 days.
• Assessment stage – If the respondent consents, the Board assesses the claim. This part often takes around 9 months from consent, although real-world timelines can be longer depending on volume and complexity.
• Decision stage – When an assessment is issued, both parties have a short window to accept or reject it. The respondent has 21 days, and the claimant has 28 days.

If both sides accept, the claim usually concludes without going to court.

What if the Injuries Resolution Board assessment is rejected?

If either side rejects the assessment, the Board issues an authorisation to allow the claim to proceed through the courts.

Court claims vary widely in duration. Some cases settle after the authorisation issues and before a hearing date, while others proceed through litigation steps and can take significantly longer, particularly where liability is disputed or where medical evidence is complex.

Because court timetables depend on factors outside your control, it is best to treat this stage as variable rather than fixed.

Factors that can make a work accident claim take longer

Certain issues commonly extend the timeline.

• Ongoing medical treatment and prognosis – If your symptoms are still changing, or you need surgery, rehabilitation, or further investigations, it may be sensible to delay finalising the medical report, so your claim reflects your long-term outcome.
• Liability disputes – If your employer or their insurer argues that they are not responsible, additional evidence may be needed, and the claim may be more likely to move beyond the Board process.
• Delay in gathering documents – Missing wage records, incomplete receipts, or difficulty obtaining an incident report can slow down the preparation stage.
• Complex financial losses – Claims involving ongoing loss of earnings, retraining needs, or future care supports often require more documentation and analysis.

Can anything speed up the process?

There are practical steps that often help.

• report the accident promptly and ensure it is recorded, where possible
• attend medical appointments consistently and follow clinical advice
• keep receipts and a note of appointments, travel, and time off work
• take photographs of visible injuries and, if relevant, the accident location
• obtain witness names and contact details as early as possible
• seek advice early so you can lodge a complete application with supporting documents

Time limits for making a work accident claim

In Ireland, most personal injury claims are subject to a two-year limitation period. This generally runs from the date of the accident, or from the date of knowledge in certain situations.

An Injuries Resolution Board application can also affect how limitation periods are calculated, because time can be paused while the claim is with the Board and for a period after authorisation issues. The rules are technical, so it is important to get advice early rather than waiting for symptoms to settle.

Speak to a solicitor about your work accident timeline

Every workplace injury claim is different. A solicitor can help you understand how long your claim is likely to take based on your injuries, your medical outlook, and the strength of the evidence. Arrange a no-obligation consultation with a personal injury solicitor here at McCarthy + Co Solicitors LLP for further guidance. Simply complete our quick and confidential online form.