PIAB has lifted the requirement for medical reports in submitting a claim, in view of the COVID-19 crisis.

Lawyers can now enter a claim without a medical report, either through using the PIAB portal or also by post.

Cheaper

This is a cheaper means of proceeding with a claim, costing half of a postal application fee, at €45.

PIAB is aware that solicitors may be having difficulty obtaining medical reports from treating doctors.

In the circumstances, PIAB will waive the requirement for a treating doctor’s medical report when submitting a claim through the portal.

Letter in lieu of report

When submitting a claim through the solicitors’ portal simply click the “yes” option when asked if you have a medical report and then upload a letter in lieu of the medical report confirming that a medical report has been commissioned and will be forwarded to PIAB on receipt.

This is an interim arrangement and PIAB will revert to the normal operating procedures when current difficulties pass.

PIAB is encouraging as many solicitor firms as possible to use the portal, given the current situation.

Benefits

Many firms are now registered to use it and benefits include: 

• The ability to send correspondence to PIAB through the portal,
• Automated acknowledgement of the statute stopped date on submission of an application,
• Real-time information in relation to claims,
• Facility to monitor the progress of claim applications,
• Ready access to information to convey to clients,
• Payment on account options,
• A claim submitted through the portal has a €45 fee. Postal application cost €90.

To register to use the solicitor portal, go to portal.piab.ie.

For general information in relation to the portal please contact PIAB at solicitorportal@piab.ie.

The PIAB solicitors’ portal was set up to facilitate the submission of completed applications online (including application form, treating doctor’s medical report and fee).

Statute of Limitations 

PIAB says the portal will deliver a more efficient and cost-effective service.

A separate online application form is available if a solicitor wishes to submit an application form for the purposes of the Statute of Limitations where they are not in a position to submit a completed application.

For access to the online form go to https://form.piab.ie/Pages/Checklist.aspx.