Vahingontekijä

Vahingontekijä is a Finnish legal term that translates to "perpetrator of damage" or "wrongdoer" in English. It refers to an individual who causes damage to another person's property or person, either intentionally or through negligence. This concept is central to tort law and criminal law in Finland.

In civil law, a vahingontekijä is liable to compensate the injured party for the harm caused. This compensation can cover material losses, such as the cost of repairs or replacement, as well as non-material losses, like pain and suffering. The liability can arise from intentional acts, such as vandalism, or from negligent behavior, such as causing an accident due to carelessness.

In criminal law, a vahingontekijä may face criminal charges and penalties if their actions meet the definition of a specific offense. For example, causing property damage intentionally is a crime in Finland. The severity of the criminal sanctions depends on factors like the extent of the damage, the intent of the perpetrator, and any prior offenses.

The determination of who is a vahingontekijä often involves legal proceedings where evidence is presented to establish causation and fault. The law aims to provide redress for victims and to hold those responsible for causing harm accountable for their actions. The specific legal framework and penalties are defined in Finnish statutes, such as the Penal Code and the Tort Liability Act.