Mikey,
Lawsuits for malpractice are a pretty novel occurance in Ireland.I think,mostly over the last few years when our economy boomed bigtime.Before that lawsuits were something you heard more about from America,it seemed to us that Americans sued for everything!But as with alot of things, what's in the U.S. usually heads over this way some time after...

Yes people are sueing more & more for malpractice here these days.sorry I have no official facts & figures.
I just reread you're post & you asked how the lawsuits are handled,but I don't know.

Ireland has been quite a passive nation up untill now,by this I mean that people were reluctant to complain if they were wronged.People would grin & bear things,but everything is changing rapidly now,people are learning their rights,and standing up for themselves much more,I think.