Massa, J.
In defending against a petition to recover excess damages arising from a medical malpractice action, may the Indiana Patient’s Compensation Fund—after the healthcare provider settles with the plaintiff and admits liability—present evidence to dispute the existence or cause of the plaintiff’s injury? In some types of cases, we have previously said yes. In the type of case before us today, however, we say no.
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Here, B.O. has claimed a single injury: cerebral palsy consisting of spastic diplegia. That is the claim that the healthcare providers chose to settle, and thus that is the claim for which liability is “admitted and established”—including, by implication, the required elements of causation and injury. All that remains to be determined is the amount of damages to which B.O. is entitled from the PCF for the malpractice.
We recognize that this means that the existence and type of injury that B.O. sustained is determined without the full explication that may have been adduced at a trial. But this was the method chosen by the General Assembly when enacting the MMA. In an effort to control the costs associated with medical malpractice claims, the General Assembly placed numerous constraints on plaintiffs such as a statute of limitations, Ind. Code §§ 34-18-7-1 to -3 (2008), the use of medical review panels, Ind. Code §§ 34-18-10-1 to -26 (2008), caps on recoverable damages, Ind. Code §§ 34-18-14-1 to -5 (2008), and retention of the contributory negligence defense, Ind. Code § 34-51-2-1 (2008). Perhaps in an effort to balance this sweeping reform, the legislature chose to provide plaintiffs with the benefit of final and established liability when the healthcare provider chooses to settle. It is not our place to upset that balance.
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Conclusion
Because Indiana Code § 34-18-15-3(5) precludes the PCF from disputing the existence or cause of B.O.’s claimed injury, the trial court’s grant of partial summary judgment is affirmed.
Dickson, C.J., Rucker, and David, J.J., concur.