Jälkivaurioina

Jälkivaurioina is a Finnish legal and insurance term that refers to damages occurring after a primary incident or injury. The term is used in statutes, contract clauses, and insurance policies to distinguish these secondary damages from the original harm. In property law, for example, a homeowner who suffers damage to a roof during a storm may also experience subsequent structural damage or mold growth. These secondary issues are referred to as jälkivaurioina and are often covered under separate clauses in insurance contracts, which require timely reporting and documentation.

Insurance policies typically specify a reporting window for jälkivaurioina, requiring policyholders to notify insurers within a predetermined period, usually within 30 to 90 days after the primary incident. The policy wording delineates what is considered “primary” versus “secondary” damage, using phrases such as “otsin jälkivauriot”. The distinction is important because liability, coverage limits, and deductibles may differ. Legal disputes over what counts as a jälkivaurio can appear in civil claims, where courts interpret the policy language and the insurance company’s definition of secondary damage.

In construction contracts, the term also appears in warranty provisions. A contractor may be obligated to remedy certain follow‑up defects identified as jälkivaurioina within a warranty period. The phrase signals that these defects arise from the original construction, yet they extend beyond the initial completion timeline. Understanding the scope of jälkivaurioina is crucial for both parties to navigate damage claims, repair schedules, and contractual obligations.