Sir, - The social climate that begets a deluge of litigation and compensation cases for trivial or contrived injury represents a sickness in our society set to do much harm to our nation for years to come.
We doctors recognise that the bulk of minor injuries which are the subject of litigation resolve themselves miraculously postsettlement. We are aware - and the judiciary must also be aware - that many cases are complicated by wilful lies under oath. As no improvement is likely it is time, in my opinion, to remove the Holy Book from the courts where it is being daily insulted by perjurers.
Those at the cutting edge of this business stand to gain. This includes solicitors, barristers, expert witnesses including doctors - and, of course, the plaintiffs. The law of the marketplace will generally ensure that the plaintiff's side is better represented than the defendant's and the ever increasing bill is landed at the foot of the taxpayer and the insurance companies.
Consideration should also be given to the loss of working days due to the "can't work, won't work" syndrome as litigants seek to boost their claims and to the disastrous effect of this on the morale of workplace colleagues.
Expensive and repeated rounds of medical investigation and treatment are helpful in the run-up to a hearing and the resultant gross wastage of medical and paramedical resources is yet another harmful side-effect.
But perhaps the worst effect of the "compo culture' is its profoundly damaging effect on the spiritual fibre of the country. Human life has always been about taking risk - and indeed pain - for gain, for survival or for the betterment of the community. A nation's ability to achieve, to roll back the frontiers depends on it.
I must stress that in no way are my comments directed at unfortunate people who have sustained serious injury, to whom our society owes compensation and care. We should also spare a thought for those struck down by severely disabling illness such as multiple sclerosis or motor neurone disease for whom the possibility of compensation simply does not exist.
I feel it is up to the judiciary to rein in this sickness at the heart of our society before it gets absolutely out of hand. Or will we have to await a war or natural disaster before we can put our affairs in true perspective? - Yours, etc.,
Dublin 6W.