If you are a member of An Garda Siochana and sustained an injury during the performance of your duties, you may be entitled to compensation under the Garda Compensation Claims Scheme.
When To Make A Garda Compensation Claim
Gardai are inherently at risk of injury due to the nature of their job. But that does not exonerate the State from providing compensation to those who have sustained injury – the consequences of which can last for months, years, or even for the rest of your life. That’s why compensation is often necessary to recover both physically and financially from an injury.
However, it’s important that you initiate injury claims as soon as possible. Generally speaking, your application must be made within the three months from the time of the incident.
The Process
The process for a Garda compensation claim can often be onerous and successful claims will always end up in court. We’re sympathetic to how daunting this prospect can be. However, you can rest assured that our team of Garda compensation solicitors have vast experience taking Garda compensation claims, meaning you can sit back and relax in the knowledge that your case is in safe hands.
Step 1 – Talk To Us
Your first step should always be to seek legal advice by calling O’Brien & Company Solicitors. We’ll provide practical and impartial advice, making the experience as informative and as straightforward as possible. At this stage in the process, we will usually ask for the following information to ensure a successful claim:
Step 2- Medical Report
All Garda compensation claims require an independent medical report. We will arrange to obtain your medical notes and records from either your GP or the Doctor who treated you after your accident. We will then submit these to an independent consultant so that they can produce a medical report.
Step Three–Submit An Application
Garda compensation claims must first be submitted to the Human Resources Department inGarda Headquarters.We will submit this application for you. Once they have all the relevant documentation and reports, they will pass the matter on to theGardaChief Medical Officer who will arrange an appointment to examine you.
Step Four–Minister for Justice
After you have been examined, the Garda Chief Medical Officer will send a report to theDepartment of Justice. The Minister for Justice will then decide whether or not you are entitled to pursue an action for compensation.
Step Five–Court Proceedings
If the Minister agrees to allow the claim proceed, we will prepare and file the relevant court papers. The matter will then be heard in the High Court which may award you compensation based upon the nature of the incident, the extent of your injuries and how long it takes you to make a full recovery (if at all). It is worth noting that if the Minister does not allow the claim to proceed, we can dispute this on your behalf.
Determining if you need a solicitor
If you’ve suffered an injury through no fault of your own, seeking the advice of a professional and experienced solicitor is in your best interests.The tight time limits (3 months) and the complexity of the process makes this all the more pertinent.Our dedicated and experienced Garda compensation claims solicitors are there to secure the compensation you are entitled, all while being extremely conscious of the impact your injury may have had. That’s why we’ll work at a pace you are comfortable with in a sensitive, relaxed and transparent manner.
You can also rest assured that O’Brien & Company Solicitors will not make any deduction from your settlement to cover legal costs. Once your case has been finalised, our fees are usually paid by the State.
Contact us now
in confidence.
O’Brien & Company Solicitors has a wealth of experience and a history of success in personal injury and medical negligence cases.
We pride ourselves on achieving the best results for our clients whilst at the same time making everything as straightforward and clear for you as possible.
