The Costs of Medical Negligence

Abstract

The United Kingdom House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts1 published a report on the costs of medical negligence on January 30, 2026. Its findings reflect the similar challenges being faced in many healthcare services.

The rising costs of claims in England continue to divert vital resources away from the frontline services. Settlement costs have tripled since 2006-7, and the UK government has £60 billion of liabilities on the balance sheet. Annual settlements have increased to £3.6 billion in 2024-5. Globally, treating cases where harm was avoidable costs developed countries 8.7% of their health expenditure each year.