The public and private health sectors handled 2800 new medical indemnity claims in 2010/11, about the same level as the previous year.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare says 1500 claims were made on the public sector and about 1300 in the private sector.

Some 1400 public sector claims were closed, with 1450 in the private sector.

Of the claims closed, 53% cost less than $10,000, 25% were between $10,000 and $100,000, 16% cost $100,000 to $500,000 and 6% cost $500,000 or more.

About 3% of all closed claims were finalised with a court decision, 49% through a negotiated settlement and 48% were discontinued.

The two sectors finalised 73% of closed claims within three years of them opening. About 10% were open more than five years.