Fostering a culture of compensation

While many grumble that suing for even minor accidents has become the norm, there are positive benefits as the attitudes of companies and bodies to safety improves hugely, writes Dan Buckley

NEVER a man to mince his words even when it comes to his own profession, Michael McDowell was commenting on the propensity of Irish people to sue for the consequences of life’s little mishaps.

In a review of Irish civil law, McDowell attacked our legal system that supports a culture of compensation. He cited “ambulance-chasing solicitors”, “Santa Clause” judges and “sue-happy” plaintiffs as the reason why things were getting out of hand.