Insurers, personal injury damages and medical expenses

By Donald Dinnie on February 4, 2020 Posted in Insurance

Insurers dealing with and defending personal injury claims under a liability policy should bear in mind the general principles regarding claims for damages in those cases. The plaintiff who claims damages for the cost of future medical expenses bears the onus of proving the damages claimed and that the damages claim is reasonable. Generally it … Continue reading

The massive cost of medical negligence cases is an international problem

By Sandra Sithole (ZA) on December 11, 2017 Posted in Insurance

It is not only in South Africa that the cost of medical negligence lawsuits is draining the health service. There are calls in Britain for reform to help protect the National Health Service from pay-outs which hit GBP1.4 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2016 alone. The UK Centre for Policy Studies says that the … Continue reading

Periodic compensation of future medical expenses

By Sandra Sithole (ZA) and Patrick Bracher (ZA) on November 6, 2017 Posted in General

In a landmark judgment, the Constitutional Court has left the door open for the development of the common law to have future damages in personal injury claims paid periodically and by way of services. The Constitutional Court was faced with the question whether massive future medical expenses based on speculation can be paid by way … Continue reading