Pictured above are Minister of State Michael D’Arcy, Minister for Business Heather Humphreys and Justice Nicholas Kearns
The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, T.D., today (Thursday) welcomed the publication of the First Report of the Personal Injuries Commission, which was established on foot of a recommendation of the Cost of Insurance Working Group.
Minister Humphreys, T.D., said
“I believe that implementation of the actions in the Report of the Personal Injuries Commission will help to bring more consistency to medical reporting and diagnosis of personal injuries, leading to a better functioning personal injuries environment in the future.”
“This is an important and complex area which affects many individuals and virtually all sectors of society both in terms of the impact of accidents on injured parties and the cost of insurance premiums which policyholders pay.”
“I would like to pay tribute to Justice Nicholas Kearns, Chairperson, and to the members of the Personal Injuries Commission, for their ongoing commitment to this important work which, together with the work of Government’s Cost of Insurance Working Group, aims to deliver benefits for both businesses and consumers.”
Justice Nicholas Kearns, Chairperson added:
“The key findings of the Report suggest that adopting a standardised and internationally recognised approach to the diagnosis, treatment and reporting of soft tissue injuries, by practitioners who are appropriately trained in the completion of personal injury medical reports, will improve the personal injuries environment in Ireland by promoting an objective standard for assessing such injuries.
The Commission is recommending that the Quebec Task Force (QTF) Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD) grading scale should be used going forward by all medical professionals reporting on relevant injuries. These are internationally recognised scales based on severity of symptoms and associated physical signs. Training and accreditation in soft tissue reporting is agreed as being a best practice requirement for those wishing to complete relevant reports.”
Minister of State for Financial Services and Insurance and Chairperson of the Cost of Insurance Working Group Michael D’Arcy, T.D., concluded:
“I welcome the first Report of the Personal Injuries Commission and its recommendations. I believe that the ongoing work of the Personal Injuries Commission and the complementary work of the Cost of Insurance Working Group will contribute to a better functioning personal injury litigation system and will also help to deliver reduced premiums for businesses and consumers.”
For further information contact Press Office, D/Business, Enterprise and Innovation ph. 6312200 or press.office@dbei.gov.ie