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Compensation claims against the HSE rocket to €85 million in one year

Claims for personal injury and third party property damage increased by 55 per cent.

PAYOUTS FOR PERSONAL injury and property damage claims against the HSE doubled last year, new figures reveal.

Damages paid out by the State Claims Agency (SCA) in 2013 increased by more 55 per cent compared to 2012

Responding to a parliamentary question, the Minister for Health outlined that more than €197 has been paid out in the past three years for claims against the HSE.

The Medical Independent details that this consists of:

  • €64 million in 2011.
  • €47 million in 2012.
  • €85 million in 2013.

As with previous parliamentary questions on the State Claims Agency, Minster James Reilly said the agency had a “strong record” of cost reduction.

“For example, the SCA achieved significant savings on claims and related legal costs associated with the management of clinical claims in 2013,” Minister Reilly said.

The Minister noted that “an independent actuarial assessment projected that” the Agency would need €154 million to meet claims and related costs last year.

Savings

“The net cost, taking account of successful recoveries from third parties, was €119.7 million, a saving of €34.3 million,” he said.

The agency handles compensation claims against state bodies.

It was revealed last month that it has over €1 billion in outstanding liabilities, consisting of 5,755 active claims.

Read: Claims agency has over €1 billion in outstanding liabilities >

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