Report calls for end to lump sums for serious injuries

SERIOUSLY injured people awarded damages in court should be allowed to receive the money periodically throughout their lives instead of in one lump sum, a top level report has advised.

An expert working group chaired by High Court Judge Mr Justice John Quirke yesterday published its report into the system of payments made to people in cases involving medical negligence, claiming the current lump sum model made it “inescapable” that wrong amounts will be awarded.

A submission to the group said the system of lump sum awards attracted “money hungry wolves”, sometimes family members or friends.