Vahingonkorvausvastuun

Vahingonkorvausvastuu, often translated as liability for damages, is a fundamental legal concept in Finnish law. It refers to the obligation of a person or entity to compensate another party for harm or loss that has been caused by their actions or omissions. This principle ensures that individuals who suffer damage due to the fault of another are not left to bear the burden of their losses alone.

The concept of vahingonkorvausvastuu is primarily governed by the Tort Act (vahingonkorvauslaki). For liability to arise, several conditions must generally be met. Firstly, there must be an act or omission that is considered wrongful. This can be an intentional act or negligence. Secondly, damage or loss must have occurred as a direct result of this wrongful act or omission. This establishes a causal link between the conduct and the harm suffered.

Furthermore, there must be fault on the part of the person causing the damage. This fault can be established through intent or negligence, meaning the person either deliberately caused the harm or failed to exercise the care expected in the circumstances. The purpose of compensation is to restore the injured party to the position they would have been in had the damage not occurred, as far as this is possible through monetary means. This includes compensation for both material losses, such as property damage or medical expenses, and non-material losses, like pain and suffering.