A new system of pretrial engagement intended to stem the growth in the State’s estimated €5.35 billion liability in medical negligence cases will take effect in 2026, a meeting of consultants in Kilkenny heard on Saturday.
The new rules, which would require more engagement between claimants and doctors before litigation is initiated, are intended to encourage earlier settlements and so help address the ongoing growth in the cost of legal actions and settlements.
The more-than €5 billion liability has grown from €900m in 2010, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association conference heard.
The current rate of growth is put at 13
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