Kahjukäsitlemine

Kahjukäsitlemine is the Estonian term for the process by which damage, injury or loss is examined, recorded, evaluated and ultimately compensated. In legal, insurance and occupational safety contexts the term is used to describe the systematic handling of claims arising from property damage, body injury, environmental harm or other losses. The concept is nested within the broader field of kahjuõigus – the law of damages – but focuses on practical steps rather than doctrinal analysis.

In the insurance sector kahjukäsitlemine normally proceeds in several stages. First, a claimant notifies an insurer of the loss and submits a damage report. The insurer then sends an adjuster to inspect the incident scene or damaged object, gathering evidence such as photographs, expert statements and witness records. The adjuster estimates the monetary value of the loss based on established valuation rules, market prices and, when relevant, contractual terms. The insurer decides whether to pay, negotiate or deny the claim. Throughout the process documentation must obey the Estonian Act on Insurance and the Civil Code provisions on obligation to cooperate. If a dispute arises the parties may seek resolution through the Estonian Courts or an alternative dispute resolution institution.

Occupational safety authorities also employ a kahjukäsitlemine model for workplace accidents. Employees report incidents, and the Estonian Work and Pension Fund conducts investigations that determine causation, possible compensation amounts and preventive measures. These investigations support both compensation claims and regulatory enforcement of safety standards.

In environmental law kahjukäsitlemine involves the assessment of pollution, ecological damage and the identification of responsible parties. The Estonian Environmental Agency carries out scientific studies, engages multidisciplinary experts, and works with affected communities to compute restoration costs.

Overall, kahjukäsitlemine is a structured, evidence‑based process that translates injury or loss into quantifiable terms so that parties can resolve liability and compensation.