Claims information from Medical Defence Union

The number of claims reported to the Medical Defence Union (MDU) has reduced slightly compared to previous years, but the size of claims is on the increase. In 2007 the MDU paid out on behalf of its members £25mn in discretionary indemnity claims and legal costs (compared to £38mn for 2006). This reduction results from the planned transfer of risk to individual insurance policies for the MDU’s UK and Irish members. Within the £25mn of indemnity and legal payments for 2007, £7.6mn (30%) relates to Irish members’ claims.