Medico-legal claims in the public sector have been sharply increasing since at least 2014, with provincial health departments cumulatively facing (mostly medico-legal) claims of R105.8-billion in 2019/20, against a budget of R222.6-billion. What to do about these claims — which debilitate health system financing since they indicate the extent and human impact of negligence in the system — has been the subject of investigation by the SA Law Reform Commission, statements by past and present health ministers and a number of court cases. A recent case adds to the jurisprudence on the issue and demonstrates the need for urgent action to deal with medico-legal claims, as well as the steps being taken by courts to fill gaps left by a sluggish legislature.