Medical negligence cases 'excruciating' and expensive for patients

While just 3% of medical negligence claims in Ireland are contested in court, the findings uncovered that the adversarial approach adopted means that efforts to resolve claims "only occur once a trial date has been obtained".

The adversarial nature of medical negligence cases can result in "destructive emotional impact" for those involved, re-traumatisation for the plaintiff, and prompt medics to develop "defensive" medical practices.

The findings are contained in new research which highlights "significant shortcomings" with medical negligence litigation in Ireland, arguing it is a system badly in need of wider reforms.