Pasientskadeerstatning - Insa advokater

Når du har krav på erstatning – enten etter en personskade, kontraktsbrudd eller økonomisk tap – er det viktig å handle innen visse tidsfrister. Hvis du venter for lenge, kan kravet ditt være foreldet, og du mister retten til å få det oppfylt.

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What is obsolescence?

Foreldelse betyr at et krav ikke lenger kan gjøres gjeldende dersom det ikke er meldt innen bestemte frister. For erstatningskrav gjelder dette både:

• Ved kontraktsbrudd (f.eks. mangelfull håndverkertjeneste)
• Ved skade utenfor kontrakt (f.eks. personskade eller økonomisk tap)

Et krav kan foreldes enten fordi det har gått for lang tid fra kravet kunne vært oppfylt til du faktisk krever betaling, eller fordi du ikke kan påberope deg noen tilleggsfrister.

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Hvorfor foreldes erstatningskrav?

Foreldelsesreglene har en viktig funksjon i rettssystemet. De er laget for å:

• Beskytte den ansvarlige mot svært gamle og uavklarte krav
• Sørge for at tvister løses mens bevis og dokumentasjon fortsatt er tilgjengelige
• Skape forutsigbarhet for både skadelidte og den som eventuelt må betale

Kort sagt: Jo eldre et krav er, desto vanskeligere blir det å bevise hva som faktisk skjedde. Derfor finnes det absolutte frister.

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Når starter foreldelsesfristen?

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Hovedregel - 3 år

Den alminnelige foreldelsesfristen er 3 år. Det følger av foreldelsesloven § 2. Når fristen begynner å løpe, avhenger av hvilken type krav det er snakk om.

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Erstatningskrav ved kontraktsbrudd

Ved kontraktsbrudd løper foreldelsesfristen fra tidspunktet misligholdet inntraff – normalt ved overtakelse eller levering, ikke fra når du oppdager feilen.

• Hovedregel**: 3 år** fra misligholdet (kjøp/levering/overtakelse)
• Unntak: Mulig tilleggsfrist på 1 år, regnet fra da du oppdaget eller burde ha oppdaget feilen

Eksempel: Du får utført rørleggerarbeid i 2018, men oppdager i februar 2023 at det er gjort en feil. Foreldelsesfristen løp likevel fra 2018, og når feilen ble oppdaget har det gått mer enn tre år og fristen for foreldelse har dermed gått ut. Dersom du ikke kunne oppdaget dette tidligere har du mulighet til å få tilleggsfrist på ett år – til februar 2024 – på å fremme kravet, selv om det har gått mer enn tre år siden arbeidet ble utført.

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Erstatningskrav utenfor kontrakt

Hvis du krever erstatning fra en part som du ikke er i et kontraktsforhold med, løper fristen fra du fikk eller burde ha fått nødvendig kunnskap om både skaden og den ansvarlige.

• Hovedregel: 3 år fra faktisk kunnskap
• Unntak: Absolutt maksfrist på 20 år fra skadetidspunkt

Eksempel: Du skader deg etter å ha falt på is utenfor en butikk i 2022, men legen påviser varig skade først i 2024. Foreldelsesfristen starter i 2024.

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Hvordan kan du stanse foreldelse?

Foreldelse kan avbrytes på følgende to hovedmåter:

1. Erkjennelse – den ansvarlige erkjenner kravet, f.eks. ved delbetaling
2. Rettslige skritt – du sender forliksklage, stevning eller klage til en instans med myndighet
3. Avtale – den ansvarlige godkjenner at foreldelsesfristen utsettes gjennom avtale

Når foreldelse blir avbrutt blir den opprinnelige foreldelsesfristen avbrutt og nullstilt. Det betyr at det starter en ny foreldelsesfrist – vanligvis på tre nye år – fra det tidspunktet avbrytelsen skjedde.

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Slik sikrer du dine rettigheter

• Følg med på datoene – Noter når skaden oppsto og når du oppdaget den.
• Dokumenter alt – Samle kvitteringer, e-poster, avtaler og annen relevant kommunikasjon.
• Søk hjelp tidlig – Snakk med en advokat dersom du er usikker på hvilke frister som gjelder.

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Do you need legal assistance?

Foreldelsesreglene kan være krevende å navigere, spesielt når det er usikkerhet rundt når fristen starter eller om den er avbrutt. Dersom du er i tvil om kravet ditt fortsatt kan gjøres gjeldende, kan det være lurt å få en juridisk vurdering.

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Hos Insa advokater får du bistand fra en erfaren advokat innen erstatningsrett som kjenner regelverket og vet hva som må til for å sikre dine rettigheter.

An accident can turn your life upside down in seconds. When a personal injury occurs – whether on your way to work, in traffic, during medical treatment or in your free time – it can give you the right to financial compensation. But how does personal injury compensation actually work, and why should you consider contacting a specialist lawyer?

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In this guide, you will get an overview of your rights, what types of damage give rise to compensation, how the amount is calculated – and not least why legal help can make a big difference.

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What is personal injury compensation?

Personal injury compensation is a financial compensation you may be entitled to if you have been physically or mentally injured as a result of an incident for which someone else is responsible. The compensation is intended to ensure that you are not left alone with the costs and losses that the injury entails – and should, in theory, put you in the same financial situation as before the incident.

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What damages give rise to the right to compensation?

There are several types of situations that can provide grounds for personal injury compensation. The most common are:

• Traffic accidents – as a pedestrian, cyclist, passenger or car driver.
• Occupational injuries – if you are injured during working hours or in the workplace.
• Patient injuries – for example, due to malpractice or inadequate healthcare.
• Violence and assault – where you are entitled to redress or victim compensation.
• Accidents during leisure time – where others can be held responsible, for example due to lack of supervision.

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This must be in place to receive compensation.

In order for you to receive personal injury compensation, four basic requirements must be met:

1. Someone must be responsible – there must be a responsible party, either an individual, employer or insurance company.
2. There must be an injury - both physical and psychological injuries are covered.
3. You must have suffered a loss – for example, loss of income or expenses for treatment.
4. There must be a causal connection – between the incident and the loss you have suffered. That is, you must be able to prove that the damage was caused by the incident in question.

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How is the compensation calculated?

Calculating personal injury compensation is rarely simple. Compensation is often divided into the following categories:

• Lost income – both what you have lost so far and what you will lose in the future.
• Expenses you would not have had without the injury – such as medical treatment, travel, aids and accommodations.
• Disability compensation – if the injury causes you to have a permanent medical disability.
• Compensation for damages – in the event of gross violations, for example intentional violence, deprivation of liberty, abuse in close relationships or rape.

Each case is assessed individually, and the amount you receive depends on the extent of the damage, how much you lose financially, and what consequences the damage has on your life.

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What can a lawyer help you with?

The legal system can be challenging to understand, and many injured parties face large insurance companies alone. This is where a lawyer with experience in personal injury compensation can be of invaluable assistance. A specialized lawyer can:

• Consider whether you have a legitimate claim.
• Collect and structure necessary documentation.
• Ensure correct calculation of compensation.
• Negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies.
• Handle complaints or take the case to court if necessary.
• Relieve yourself.

Many people are offered lower compensation than they are actually entitled to. With legal assistance, the likelihood of a correct and fair settlement increases.

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Do you need legal assistance?

Applying for compensation can be demanding, especially in complex cases or if you have been denied and are considering appealing.

At Insa advokater you can get assistance from an experienced tort lawyer who knows the system and how to protect your rights. We help you with everything from assessing the case and collecting documentation, to submitting the application and handling complaints if necessary.

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An occupational injury can have significant consequences for both health and finances. It is therefore important to understand what rights and possibilities you have for compensation if you are exposed to such damage.

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What is an occupational injury?

An occupational injury is a personal injury, illness or death that occurs as a result of an accident at work or harmful effects as a result of the working environment. For an injury to be classified as an occupational injury, it must have occurred during work at the workplace during working hours. Typical examples include falls, crushing injuries, and exposure to harmful substances that lead to illness.

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What is occupational injury compensation?

Occupational injury compensation is compensation you may be entitled to if you have suffered an occupational injury. The purpose of the compensation is to cover financial losses and any non-financial consequences as a result of the damage. This may include coverage of treatment expenses, lost income, and compensation for permanent medical disability.

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Employer's duties

In Norway, all employers are required by law to take out occupational injury insurance for their employees. This insurance should ensure that employees receive the compensation they are entitled to if they are exposed to an occupational injury. It is important to note that the self-employed and freelancers are not automatically covered by this scheme, but they have the option of taking out voluntary occupational injury insurance, which is recommended.

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What should you do in the event of an occupational injury?

1. Report the injury: Inform your employer immediately about the injury. The employer is responsible for reporting the damage to NAV and the insurance company.
2. See a doctor: Seek medical help and ensure that all injuries and symptoms are documented. This is important to establish a connection between the accident and the damage.
3. Documentation: Collect all relevant documentation, including medical records, injury reports and any witness statements.
4. Seek advice: You may want to contact a solicitor with experience in professional injury compensation for guidance through the process.

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Compensation items in case of occupational injury

In the event of an approved occupational injury, you may be entitled to several types of compensation:

• Incurred and future expenses: Coverage of necessary expenses for treatment, medication and any aids.
• Lost income: Compensation for loss of income as a result of the injury, both during the period you are on sick leave and for future loss if the injury results in reduced ability to work.
• Compensation: Compensation for permanent medical disability as a result of the injury.
• Compensation: In cases where the employer has shown gross negligence, compensation may be applicable.

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Limitation periods

It is important to be aware that there are deadlines for reporting claims for occupational injury compensation. In general, the damage must be reported to NAV within one year after the damage occurred. For claims against the insurance company, a limitation period of three years applies from the time you became aware of, or should have become aware of, the circumstances that justify the claim.

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Coverage of legal expenses

In many cases, reasonable and necessary legal expenses will be covered by the insurance company as part of the compensation settlement. It may therefore be a good idea to seek legal assistance to ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to.

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Being exposed to an occupational injury can be a stressful experience. It is therefore important to know your rights and what steps you should take to ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to. By following the advice above and seeking the necessary help, you are better equipped to handle the situation and look after your interests.

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Insa lawyers help clients all over the country. We can assist with complaints about refusals from NAV or insurance companies, provide advice on compensation claims and proceedings, as well as represent you in court.