Procedure to follow if a player receives an injury.  The following is required in respect of all claims regardless of claim type. Players themselves are responsible for all claims. They have to fill in the forms and collect the information before passing all forms over to club secretary who will then pass on all claims to the Insurance company.

The Players are ultimately responsible if there claim is not processed because they did not carry out the procedure listed here.

This covers medical bills and fees but does not cover physiotherapy.  Under club rules physiotherapy is not paid for.  Ultimately, the responsibility to ensure that adequate cover is in place lies with the individual member, commensurate with his/her specific needs. If your membership is not paid you are not covered.

1. If a player is injured during a match the Referee must be notified.
2.  If a player is injured during an official training session or practice match, the club Chairman/Secretary should be informed.
3. Visit your doctor first.  He will decide if you require hospital treatment.
4. Download this claim form here GAA Injury Scheme Claim Form .
5. Claimant’s Membership Number must be supplied on the claim form.
6. A copy of the Referee’s report if the injury was sustained in an official match.
7. A letter from the Club Chairman/Secretary if the injury occurred in an Official Training Session or Challenge Match
8. Where a claim is being pursued under 1.4 a letter from the Club Chairman/Secretary confirming the claimants membership and stating the circumstances surrounding the accident/injury
9. If a player returns to play after an injury and is re-injured a new claim form must be submitted
10. The claim form in particular sections A, E and F should be fully completed and signed by the injured member. The claim form together with all relevant supporting documentation should then be forwarded to the Club or County Secretary/Designated Scheme Officer for their signatures/validation.
11. All claims are required to be reported to Willis within 60 days of the injury by completing, as a minimum the 1st two pages of the claim form which should be signed and dated by the claimant. In the event that the claimants signature and date is omitted the 1st two pages of the claim form will be returned for completion. Claims reported outside the 60 days will not be processed.

In addition to the claim form the following supporting documentation is required depending on claim type:

Medical /Dental claims:
Offical Medical receipts (invoices are not acceptable).
Under Section A of the claim form confirmation whether the injured member has any third party medical insurance must be completed to enable the claim to be assessed as the scheme only provides cover for non-recoverable costs up to the limits of the scheme.
In all cases, Section E must be completed and stamped by the attending Doctor/Dentist only. If no stamp is available a business card or confirmation on the Doctor/Dentist headed paper must be submitted.

Loss of Wages claims:
Three recent payslips dated prior to the injury or a letter from the injured member’s employer on company headed paper confirming the injured member’s basic nett pay(stating weekly or monthly). Ongoing Loss of Wages claims can only be considered upon receipt of Willis Continuation Claim form. Doctors Medical Certificates are not acceptable.
If self-employed, a letter from the injured member’s Accountant on company headed paper is required confirming the nett basic earnings for the three months prior to the injury. If the self employed claimant has no accountant the relevant information must be submitted by their solicitor /tax advisor. In addition, if a substitute worker has been employed a letter from the Accountant on company headed paper confirming the cost is required. If Claimant is related to employer proof of wages must be supplied by the employer’s accountant.
In all cases, Section D, must be completed.

• Once the injured member is satisfied that the claim form has been fully completed and all supporting documentation attached, he/she should sign it and forward it to the Club or County Secretary/Designated Scheme Officer as appropriate for their signatures/validation and onward transmission to Willis who will only then be in a position to assess the claim.
• If a submitted claim is not fully documented, the necessary documents, which must be submitted in a timely manner, will be requested by Willis.
•  All payments in respect of claims shall be made by Willis through the appropriate County Committee.
•  All Disputes concerning entitlement to benefits under the Scheme must be referred to the GAA Insurance Work Group c/o Bainisteoir Roisca agus Árachais, Ascal San Séosaph, Baile Átha Cliath 3 who shall investigate the case in full and decide on the level of benefit payable if any.
• Should the claimant refuse the GAA Insurance Work Group’s decision, then the matter must be submitted to an Independent Expert (‘ the Expert’ ) to be appointed by mutual agreement, (or in default of agreement within 7 days, by the president for the time being of the [ Law Society of Ireland ] ).
• The Expert shall act as an expert and not as an arbitrator. The Independent Expert’s decision shall be final and binding on the parties in the absence of fraud or manifest error. The Expert’s fees shall be borne in such proportions as the Expert shall direct.
• All Complaints related to the administration of the Injury Scheme must be forwarded to the appropriate County Secretary for investigation.

The mandatory scheme provides benefit to members playing the national games of Hurling, Gaelic Football, Handball and Rounders whose clubs are registered with the scheme and also to accredited club personnel performing designated duties in connection with the activities of Clubs registered in the Scheme.

The Injury Scheme is funded entirely from Club and GAA funds with no outside (e.g. insurance) involvement. There is no legal obligation on the GAA to provide such a Scheme. Risk is an inherent factor in sport, as in life. When members voluntarily take part in Club Activities, they accept the risks that such participation may bring. Legal representation is not required and there is strictly no Legal Expenses Cover amongst the benefits provided.

The Injury Scheme does not seek to compensate fully for injury but to supplement other Schemes such as Personal Accident or Health Insurance. The Scheme only provides cover for unrecoverable losses up to the limit specified under the scheme

Ultimately, the responsibility to ensure that adequate cover is in place lies with the individual member, commensurate with his/her specific needs