Claims could cost the State €658m

THE State faces potential liabilities of €658 million pending the resolution of thousands of compensation claims, the majority due to medical negligence.

At the end of June 2009, there were 4,140 claims outstanding, according to figures from the State Claims Agency, released yesterday, as part of the National Treasury Management Agency’s (NTMA) annual report.

The outstanding contingent liability (depending on the outcome of the case) is €566m in relation to medical malpractice claims, which account for 86% of all outstanding claims. The remaining €92m relates to employer liability, public liability and property damage claims.