Multi million child birth compensation payments here every 2nd week?

Atlantic Dawn · 19-10-2021 3:06pm #1

I notice that almost every 2nd week here there's massive compensation payments of €5-20 million being made as a result of poor healthcare given to women at the time of child birth, what is going on? I'd regularly view the UK media but can't remember the last time there was a similar compensation case there. Are we using come crazy practices that no other country uses or is it just pure incompetence.

Just to be clear I fully support the payments just wondering how there's so many.

RobbieTheRobber · 19-10-2021 3:22pm

Oh they happen in the UK too.

In January of last year the BBC reported "Estimates published last year put the total cost of outstanding compensation claims at £83bn." and that "Each year the NHS receives more than 10,000 new claims for compensation."

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51180944

One eyed Jack · 19-10-2021 3:27pm

There are many more brain injuries incurred during birth in both countries (mainly caused by oxygen deprivation), than there are compensation claims -

Almost 200 babies a year suffer lack of oxygen to the brain during birth, resulting in death or disability. Birth-related injuries accounted for most of the €450 million paid out by the HSE in compensation claims over the last five years, and the number of cases is rising.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/cork-scientists-develop-infant-brain-injury-detection-technique-1.3749389

Published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, the research estimated that 3,418 babies suffered conditions linked to brain injury at or soon after birth in 2015, which equates to an overall incidence rate of 5.14 per 1,000 live births. For preterm births (babies born at or less than 37 weeks) the rate was 25.88 per 1,000 live births in 2015, more than seven times greater than the rate for full term births, which was 3.47 per 1,000 live births.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/183359/incidence-brain-injury-babies-estimated-first/

The reason you’re likely to see more reports of compensation claims in Irish media than you are seeing them in UK media is probably because you’re more exposed to Irish media.

jimmycrackcorm · 19-10-2021 3:41pm

The problem with these compensation claims is the way they are handled so that the most pessimistic figure for life care is estimated and doled out early in court.

The way it should be done is to have a statutory compensation body look at claimants annually and determine what they need on an ongoing basis. 8m was paid out to a little girl. She had to wait years for it to go to court, first of all, to get anything. but that 8m is paid out until she is 19. If she died tomorrow, it's still paid out for a non-existent need.

So it would be far better for all if claimes were recognized as soon as possible and payments made on an ongoing basis of need.

ohnonotgmail · 19-10-2021 5:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118042788#Comment_118042788

Plus cases like this are more likely to be reported nationally in Ireland. In the Uk they might get reported regionally or as a small story if they get a national.

Gatling · 19-10-2021 5:21pm

You have to realise these kids will need intensive care and support for the rest of their natural lives which will have to be paid for and properties adapted to live at home ,and who takes them after their parents have gone ?

MrMusician18 · 19-10-2021 5:27pm

If you were to go by the national news in the UK you'd think there were no road fatalities either.

These are just bigger stories in smaller countries.

There must be a better way of handling these cases then forcing the families into court though.

ohnonotgmail · 19-10-2021 5:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118043502#Comment_118043502

even if both parties agree a settlement it still has to go to court for a Judge to approve the settlement. Any settlements involving children have to approved by a judge to ensure they are in the best interests of the child.

Multi million child birth compensation payments here every 2nd week?

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