Injury claims in Irish cafés, hotels, and restaurants more than halved between 2019 and 2023, according to a new report from the Injuries Resolution Board, in collaboration with EY Economic Advisory.
The report utilised data from over 30,000 claim applications for injuries sustained by visitors to businesses and public spaces between 2019-2023, highlighting a 40% reduction in claim volumes during this period.
The total value of Public Liability awards made between 2019 and 2023 was almost €130 million, with the total value of awards made in 2023 almost €20 million or 37% lower than 2019.
"Our research contributes to a growing body of evidence showing that not all accidents are experienced equally, underscoring the need for enhanced protective measures to mitigate the risk of accidents," said Dr Lauren Swan, head of research and policy at the Injuries Resolution Board.
“Additionally, the data presented within the report provides greater transparency on the claims environment for the public liability area and provides important insights on the costs and frequency of claims which should be helpful to both policy makers and insurance companies alike.”
The report highlights a 40% reduction in public liability claim volumes in 2023 compared to 2019 despite a slight increase of 3% in claims in 2023 on the previous year.
Claim volumes have reduced significantly across all accident locations, with claims among cafés, hotels, and restaurants reducing by more than half, and shops and stores experiencing a 44% decrease.
The median value of an award in 2023 for a public liability claim was €12,414, down 40% on 2020, and the acceptance rate of awards was 57%, which represents the highest acceptance rate of any claim category.
Dublin had a high percentage of claims relative to its population size, 37% of public liability claimants were from the Dublin area, despite only 28% of the population residing there.
The report shows falls were the most common cause of public liability accidents, accounting for nearly 15,000 claims and just under €90 million in compensation from 2019 to 2023.
“The reduction in the cost of claims needs now to be passed on to policy holders," said Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary.
"The government’s Insurance Reform plan has transformed the operating environment of insurance in Ireland. Policyholders need to see this reflected in their premiums”.
