The Chief Executive of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, Patricia Byron, has announced the timetable leading to the start of the PIAB.
From June 1, all personal injury claims arising from workplace accidents where an employee is seeking compensation from his or her employers, must be referred to PIAB before legal proceedings are issued,' said Ms Byron.
PIAB will extend its remit to include both liability and motor accidents involving injury later on in the year.
From tomorrow (May 13), the PIAB's website (www.piab.ie) will go online and a new Lo-Call number (1890 829121) will be launched.
From tomorrow, people can phone this number between 8am and 8pm Monday to Saturday to get a full information service. By the start of next month, claimants will be able to ring this number and receive assistance with their application.
PIAB staff will be based at a new office in Tallaght, Dublin. This office will not be open to the public, but contact with the PIAB staff can be made through telephone, email or post. The PIAB process will not involve oral hearings.
Ms Byron also announced today that the PIAB will publish the Book of Quantam on their website within a month. This Book is being compiled from recent awards and settlements as a guide to the current level of compensation.
Ms Byron said that PIAB's success will be measured by what it delivers 'a speedy independent assessment service which will curtail the costs associated with personal injury claims. This will benefit consumes, business and society as a whole,' she added.
The establishment of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board is a fundamental component of the Government's Insurance Reform Programme.
