Last year, more than 1.3 million euros were paid to residents for health damage

In the Medical Risk Fund, 172 persons’ submissions regarding possible harm to health were examined, of which harm was found in 44 cases. In 128 submissions, the fund did not find the damage and compensation payment was refused.

Comparatively, in 2022, the Medical Risk Fund examined 146 submissions of persons regarding possible health damage and damage was found in 37 cases, when a decision was accordingly made to pay compensation in the amount of 1.2 million euros.

VI clarifies that if medical personnel with their actions, or on the contrary, inaction, during the treatment, or the conditions during the treatment caused damage to the patient’s health or life, the patient, according to the Law of Patients’ Rights, has the right to compensation for the damage to the health caused. Also, the patient has the right to compensation for the expenses incurred for the further necessary treatment to prevent the consequences of the damage caused during the treatment.

In cases of claims for compensation, the Medical Risk Fund carries out an expert opinion, prepares an opinion, and issues a decision on the existence of damage or the absence of damage, and accordingly makes a decision on the payment or refusal of compensation.

In 2023, the fund examined the most requests in traumatology – a total of 34, where damage was detected in eight cases. In surgery, 22 compensation requests were considered, of which damage was found in seven cases, in gynecology and obstetrics, 22 requests were considered and damage was found in seven cases. In dentistry, a total of 20 compensation applications were considered, but damage was found in three cases, while in neurology and neurosurgery, 18 compensation requests were considered and damage was found in five cases.

Comparatively, also in 2022, most of the examiners’ requests were in traumatology – a total of 42, where damage was detected in seven cases. In dentistry, 19 compensation applications were considered, of which damage was found in three cases, in surgery 18 applications were considered – damage was found in three cases, in gynecology and obstetrics 17 applications, of which damage was found in seven cases, and in neurology and neurosurgery 12 applications, of which damage was found in seven cases.