MRSA claims may cost State €500m

THE Government could face a half a billion euro payout in compensation claims from MRSA sufferers if a test case against the State proved successful.

One successful claim over the lethal hospital bug could trigger more than 1,500 cases against the State, with payouts running to more than €330,000 for each claim, including legal costs.

Ireland’s treasury management, which oversees claims against the State, warned about the potential costs.