Undark: For Volunteers Harmed in Clinical Trials, an Imperfect Safety Net

It's really important that anyone who participates in a clinical trial with significant risk of harm asks about compensation in case of injury and gets something in writing from the researcher. Ethics committees should not approve studies that do not have adequate insurance - the researcher should make a statement about their cover.

And, things can be more complicated than you expect. For example, while NZ has the Accident Compensation Corporation with its support of people who are harmed in an accident, people who participate in commercially sponsored clinical trials are not covered. So, ask and make sure you get the details of the trial's insurance in writing. How much cover? Would you have to hire your own lawyer and deal with a court in another country in order to get compensation? Is the insurance cover that an overseas-based sponsor holds valid for participants in your country?