Compensation of €200m was paid out over the course of 2009 to 8,645 personal injury claimants, according to preliminary year-end data from InjuriesBoard.ie the independent government body that oversees the payouts for such injuries.

The average compensation for a personal injury during 2009 was €23,163, down 6pc on the 2008 average, but up 5pc on 2007, InjuriesBoard.ie said.

Nearly three quarters of awards (72 pc) were for injuries from road traffic accidents, while the remainder was split between workplace (11 pc) and public space (17 pc) accidents.

The average workplace award was €23,000 in 2009, almost 48pc high than motor awards, which averaged €21,000