The medical report submitted with an IRB application, commonly referred to as Form B, is one of the most important documents in the personal injury claims process in Ireland. At Michael Boylan Litigation, we work with people at every stage of that process, and understanding what Form B requires and how to get it completed properly is something we can help with from the outset.
What Is the IRB Medical Report (Form B)?
Form B is the standardised medical report form used by the Injuries Resolution Board as part of a personal injury claim application. It is completed by a medical practitioner who has examined and treated the injured person, and it provides the IRB with a clinical account of the injuries sustained, the treatment received, and the current state of recovery. Without it, the IRB cannot properly assess the claim.
What Form B Typically Covers
Form B is structured to capture a specific set of clinical information. The following are the main areas it addresses:
Injury description and clinical findings: A clear account of the injuries sustained, based on the clinician's own examination and the treatment history.
Treatment to date and referrals: Details of what treatment has been provided, including any specialist referrals, surgical procedures, or ongoing therapy.
Current symptoms and functional impact: How the injuries are affecting the person at the time the report is completed, including practical examples such as difficulty with mobility, sleep disruption, or an inability to return to work or normal daily activities.
Prognosis and follow-up: The clinician's view on likely recovery, usually expressed as an expected timeframe or an indication that further review is needed; where recovery is uncertain, this is noted rather than overstated.
Form B Compared With Other Medical Documents
Form B is a specific document and is not interchangeable with other records that may exist in relation to the injury. Such records include:
Hospital discharge summary: Provides a record of what happened during a hospital admission or A&E attendance, but does not constitute a structured medical report for IRB purposes.
GP notes: Internal clinical records that are not formatted for submission to the IRB and would not satisfy the Form B requirement on their own.
Imaging reports (X-ray/MRI): Technical reports produced by radiologists that describe findings on scans; these can support a Form B but do not replace it.
Physiotherapy notes: Treatment records that document progress and session content; again, useful supporting material but not a substitute for Form B.
Do You Need Form B to Apply to the Injuries Resolution Board?
The IRB's online portal includes a checklist of what is required before an application can be submitted. A medical report is a core component of that checklist. While the precise requirements can vary depending on the nature of the claim, in practice, an application without medical evidence will not progress.
The reason for this is straightforward. The IRB's function is to assess the value of a claim based on the medical evidence before it. Without a completed Form B, there is no clinical basis on which that assessment can be made. Getting the report completed before submitting the application avoids unnecessary delays in the process.
How to Get Form B Completed
Preparing Form B involves more than simply asking a doctor to sign a form. The following steps help ensure the report accurately reflects the injury and supports the application effectively:
Choose the right clinician to complete it: Form B should be completed by a doctor who has actually examined and treated you; this is typically your GP, or a specialist if you have been referred to one for the relevant injury.
Book the right type of appointment: Let the practice or clinic know in advance that the appointment is for a medico-legal report; this allows adequate time and ensures the clinician is prepared.
Bring the right information and documents: Having the following to hand will help the clinician complete the report accurately: the date, location, and circumstances of the accident; a timeline of treatment received and any referrals made; and details of current medications and upcoming follow-up appointments.
Ensure the report matches your actual treatment record: The account in Form B should be consistent with existing records; discrepancies between the Form B narrative and prior clinical notes can cause difficulties at the assessment stage.
Check practical completeness before submission: Before the report leaves the practice, it is worth confirming that it is legible, correctly dated, includes the doctor's details and signature, clearly describes the injuries sustained, sets out the treatment received to date, and includes a follow-up plan or prognosis.
Common Problems That Delay IRB Applications (and How to Avoid Them)
A well-prepared Form B makes the IRB process more straightforward. The following are the issues that most commonly cause difficulties:
Missing or unclear accident details: If the report does not clearly state when and how the accident occurred, the IRB may request clarification, which adds time to the process.
Injuries listed without clarity on what is still ongoing: A report that lists injuries without distinguishing between those that have resolved and those that are continuing does not give the IRB a clear picture of current impact.
Treatment timeline gaps: If there are periods where no treatment was sought, and the report does not acknowledge this, it can raise questions; a brief explanation within the report avoids ambiguity.
Multiple injuries, multiple clinicians: Where different injuries were treated by different doctors, coordinating the medical evidence so that it presents a complete and consistent picture requires some planning; in these situations, legal advice on how to approach the application is particularly useful.
What Claim Types Is Form B Used For?
Form B is the medical report format used across the range of personal injury claims that go through the IRB. This includes:
Road traffic accidents: Claims arising from collisions involving cars, motorcycles, cyclists, or pedestrians.
Workplace accidents: Injuries sustained in the course of employment, including manual handling incidents, falls, and equipment-related injuries.
Public liability accidents: Slips, trips, and falls in public places, including shops, hotels, footpaths, and other premises open to the public.
Accidents involving defective products or equipment: Where a product or piece of equipment caused injury due to a fault in its design, manufacture, or condition.
What Happens After You Have Form B?
Once Form B has been completed, it forms part of the application pack submitted to the IRB. The following outlines what typically follows:
Submission: The completed Form B is submitted along with the IRB application form and any other supporting documents, such as a Garda report or evidence of financial loss.
Acknowledgement: The IRB issues an acknowledgement confirming the application has been registered; the respondent is notified at this stage.
Respondent decision: The respondent indicates whether they consent to IRB assessment or object; each outcome leads to a different next step.
Assessment or authorisation: If the respondent consents, the IRB assesses the claim using the medical evidence submitted; if they object, an authorisation is issued allowing court proceedings to be commenced.
Further information requests: The IRB may request additional medical evidence or clarification during the assessment process; responding to these promptly keeps the process moving.
Timing and Planning
Completing Form B too early can present difficulties. If the report is prepared before the full extent of the injuries is known, it may not accurately reflect ongoing symptoms or longer-term impact. A report that describes injuries as resolving, when they have since worsened or become chronic, may understate the position significantly.
Meanwhile, an updated report is worth considering where a significant amount of time has passed since the original report was prepared, where new symptoms have developed, where surgery or specialist treatment has taken place since the first report, or where the prognosis has changed. In these circumstances, asking the treating clinician to provide a further report ensures the evidence remains current.
Finally, keeping a symptom and treatment timeline from the date of the accident onwards is a practical step that helps with accuracy at every stage. A simple record of appointments attended, treatments received, and how symptoms have changed over time gives both the clinician completing Form B and any legal advisers a reliable foundation to work from.
FAQs
Can my GP complete Form B, or does it need to be a consultant?
A GP can complete Form B, provided they have examined and treated you in connection with the injuries sustained. Where you have been referred to a consultant and the relevant injuries have been primarily managed at that level, it may be more appropriate for the consultant to complete the report, or for both to contribute. A solicitor can advise on the best approach in your circumstances.
What if my symptoms developed days or weeks after the accident?
This is not unusual, and it does not prevent you from applying. The report should reflect when symptoms first appeared and when you first sought treatment, not just the date of the accident. Medical records from your initial attendance, even if it was some time after the event, will support the application.
What if I was treated in A&E but do not have all records yet?
You can request your records from the hospital directly. A&E attendance records can be obtained through the hospital's medical records department. These support the Form B but do not replace it; the clinician completing Form B will draw on those records as part of their assessment.
What if there were multiple injuries treated by different clinicians?
Each treating clinician can provide a report on the injuries within their area of treatment. Where this applies, it is worth ensuring that the reports, taken together, present a consistent and complete picture. Legal advice is particularly useful in these situations to ensure nothing is overlooked.
What if the IRB application is being made on behalf of a child?
Where a claim is being made on behalf of a minor, a parent or guardian typically acts on their behalf in the process. The medical report requirements are the same, and the application must accurately reflect the child's injuries and their impact. Legal advice is strongly recommended in these cases.
What if the IRB portal says I cannot proceed without a medical report?
This reflects the practical reality of the process. The IRB requires medical evidence before an application can be assessed. If you have not yet had Form B completed, arranging that appointment is the next step before the application is submitted.
What if responsibility is disputed? Does Form B decide fault?
No. Form B is medical evidence only. It sets out the nature and impact of the injuries sustained. The IRB does not make findings on liability, meaning it does not determine who was at fault. Questions of responsibility are addressed separately, through the courts if the matter proceeds to that stage.
Why Michael Boylan Litigation?
Specialist Litigation Focus
Personal injury claims require careful preparation from the outset. Michael Boylan Litigation focuses on serious injury litigation and brings a structured, evidence-led approach to every case, including the medical evidence stage.
Evidence-Led Preparation
Getting the medical evidence right matters. Michael Boylan Litigation works to ensure that Form B and any supporting reports accurately reflect the full extent of the injuries sustained and their impact, so that the application is built on a solid foundation.
Clear Guidance Through the IRB Steps
The IRB process involves a number of stages, and it is not always clear what is required at each point. Michael Boylan Litigation provides practical, straightforward guidance throughout, without pressure and in plain language.
Speak to Michael Boylan Litigation
If you are preparing an IRB application and want to understand what is involved, Michael Boylan Litigation is available to discuss the circumstances with you. A member of the team can explain the process, what medical evidence is needed, and what steps may be open to you.
Contact us today to speak with our team.
*In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.
