Potilasvahinkolautakunta

The Potilasvahinkolautakunta, often translated as the Patient Injury Board or Patient Insurance Board, is an independent expert body in Finland. Its primary function is to process and assess claims for compensation related to patient injuries. These injuries can occur during healthcare services, whether provided by public or private healthcare providers.

The board's mandate is to investigate whether a patient injury has occurred and if it resulted from medical treatment or other healthcare services. If the board determines that an injury has indeed happened and is attributable to healthcare, it can recommend compensation. The compensation is typically paid by the private mutual insurance companies that offer patient insurance, or through the State Guarantee Fund if no such insurance is in place.

The Potilasvahinkolautakunta operates as a no-fault system, meaning that fault on the part of the healthcare provider is not a prerequisite for compensation. The focus is on whether a treatment injury has occurred and if it was preventable or not. The board's decisions are recommendations, and while they are usually followed, they are not legally binding in the same way as a court ruling. Parties dissatisfied with the board's decision have the option to pursue their case in court. The board plays a crucial role in providing a more accessible and less adversarial avenue for patients seeking redress for healthcare-related harm.