Statistics obtained under Freedom of Information laws revealed that the NHS in Scotland is spending record amounts on compensation claims, with almost 50m handed out last year alone.
A total of 31.9m was paid in compensation in 2008-2009 – the majority in cases of clinical negligence.
In 2009-2010, this increased to more than 49m.
NHS Lothian awarded a total of 10,329,148m in 2009-2010.