Mr. Stuart Gilhooly:

They will go through the process. Assuming someone's case does go through the process and is not rejected for court proceedings, he or she will be examined by the Injuries Board's doctor. There may be more than one doctor depending on whether there are multiple injuries. People will then ask for what we call special damages, those being loss of earnings, medical expenses and any material damage that has been suffered. Having got the medical reports from the Injuries Board's own panel of doctors, the Injuries Board will then make an award. The award will be a figure for general damages, which the Injuries Board will use by reference to the book of quantum, and any special damages such as loss of earnings and medical expenses. That award will then be sent to the claimant and the respondent, which is the insurance company. Both will get to decide whether they accept it. If both do, the case is closed. If one turns it down, the matter presumably proceeds to court.