Most public liability awards go to women

WOMEN ACCOUNTED for almost two-thirds of all public liability awards last year, according to new figures produced by the statutory body that adjudicates on personal injuries claims.

Data from InjuriesBoard.ie shows women accounted for 72 per cent of the 1,443 personal liability awards in 2009. This is in contrast to workplace injury figures which indicate that females were involved in just over a quarter of all accidents reported.

Public liability awards totalling €33 million were made by InjuriesBoard.ie last year, with the average claim valued at €23,143.

Some 57 per cent of compensation claims granted were for amounts of less than €20,000.

Just under half of all awards went to persons over 45 even though they account for just one-third of the population.

Slips, trips and falls accounted for two-thirds of personal injuries recorded in public places last year. Other causes included being struck by falling or flying objects, injuries from machinery and burns.

Sprains were the most common injury reported, followed by fractures, bruising and lacerations. The data shows that in many incidents victims sustained at least two injuries in accidents.

Some 51 per cent of the incidents occurred in privately owned places such as gyms, shops, bars and cinemas. Some 24 per cent of public liability awards were against local authorities.