There are a few threads about compo culture and costs at the moment and it struck me that it all feeds in to a larger societal issue.
That leads into things like healthcare costs and welfare and why we spend so much on these things and have such relatively bad outcomes.
I think a large factor is a general lack of personal responsibility in Irish society.
If you twist your ankle on a path/road that thousands of other people manage to walk on without twisting their ankles then it is your own fault and you should get nothing.
If you fall down a stairs that nobody else fell down and break your spine then it is your own fault and you should get nothing and yet you can and will get massive compensation from someone else.
This feeds into a culture where nobody is responsible for their own behaviour.
Get drunk and fall down a stairs? Don't worry, you can sue the premises and your fellow citizens will pay for you to be brought to hospital and treated.
Get really fat? Don't worry, your fellow citizens will pay for you to receive really expensive healthcare and, if you can't get your ass up off the couch and walkaround the place they will pay for you to receive disability.
Drink or Smoke too much? Don't worry, your fellow citizens will pay for you to receive really expensive healthcare and, if you can't stop damaging yourself they will pay for you to receive disability.
Couldn't be bothered working? Don't worry, your fellow citizens will pay for you to receive welfare for your entire life.
Want to have a load of kids that you can't afford to raise? Don't worry, your fellow citizens will pay for it.
That leads into things like healthcare costs and welfare and why we spend so much on these things and have such relatively bad outcomes.
I think a large factor is a general lack of personal responsibility in Irish society.
If you twist your ankle on a path/road that thousands of other people manage to walk on without twisting their ankles then it is your own fault and you should get nothing.
If you fall down a stairs that nobody else fell down and break your spine then it is your own fault and you should get nothing and yet you can and will get massive compensation from someone else.
This feeds into a culture where nobody is responsible for their own behaviour.
Get drunk and fall down a stairs? Don't worry, you can sue the premises and your fellow citizens will pay for you to be brought to hospital and treated.
Get really fat? Don't worry, your fellow citizens will pay for you to receive really expensive healthcare and, if you can't get your ass up off the couch and walkaround the place they will pay for you to receive disability.
Drink or Smoke too much? Don't worry, your fellow citizens will pay for you to receive really expensive healthcare and, if you can't stop damaging yourself they will pay for you to receive disability.
Couldn't be bothered working? Don't worry, your fellow citizens will pay for you to receive welfare for your entire life.
Want to have a load of kids that you can't afford to raise? Don't worry, your fellow citizens will pay for it.