The amount of compensation paid out on medical negligence claims made against the NHS in Scotland totalled £26million last year, according to recently released figures.
The information, which had been requested by the Tories, showed that this amounted to an 80% increase on the £14.5million in damages paid out over the previous year.
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However, almost half of the compensation amount in 2008/09 was the result of three cases, each worth over £4million.
Settlements were agreed in a total of 171 cases last year, which was 11 fewer compared to the previous financial year, despite the higher overall payout.
Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which is home to the bulk of the Scottish population, paid the largest slice of the total at £8.8million in 2008/09, while Fife was next with £4.5million.
NHS Grampian made compensation payouts worth £4.3million last year and Forth Valley paid out £3.5million.
The figures were released by Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon following a Tory question in Parliament.
It should be noted that large settlements, such as the three payments of over £4million, can make the data seem misleading and cause a fluctuation in the figures each year.