Well, quite.
Honestly, if something like this happened to my child I can well imagine I might say, in fury and upset "and we'll be suing them to kingdom come", or a reporter might ask a question about claims and someone might say, as an indication of the level of injury sustained "the claim will be substantial" etc.
It is very expensive having a loved one in hospital - people travel a long way to AT, the hospitals were a way apart - accommodation / food / travel / loss of earnings - the impact can be enormous and mission critical and immediate to many families.