Megtérítés

Megtérítés is a term used to describe the payment or reimbursement granted to a harmed party to compensate for damages or losses caused by the actions of another person, organization, or an event. In Hungarian law, it denotes the aim of restoring the victim to the position they occupied before the harm, as far as possible.

The scope of megtérítés typically covers both material damages, such as property loss, medical expenses, and lost income, and non-material damages, such as pain, suffering, or damage to reputation. The amount and form of compensation are usually determined by evidence, and may be set by a court, an arbitration panel, or agreed upon in a settlement. In many cases, the remedy is monetary, but in-kind restitution (repair, replacement, or remediation) can also be possible if feasible.

Legal framework and processes: Megtérítés arises mainly in civil liability contexts, including fault-based negligence and contractual breaches. The liable party is generally obligated to compensate for proven damages caused by their fault or breach. The claimant bears the burden of proving the harm and its connection to the defendant’s actions. Remedies can be awarded through court decisions, negotiated settlements, or statutory/insurance schemes that govern specific types of harm.

Context and usage: While closely related to kártérítés (damages), megtérítés is a broader term for reimbursement of losses and is used in everyday language as well as in official or administrative contexts. In some settings, it also appears in discussions of state reparations or transitional justice, where authorities provide compensation or restitution to victims of past injustices.