Vahinkovastuu

Vahinkovastuu is the Finnish concept of liability for loss or damage. It is a fundamental element of Finnish civil law that defines the conditions under which an individual or legal entity is responsible for compensating another party for injury or damage caused intentionally or unintentionally. The principle is rooted in the idea that those who cause loss by acts or omissions that violate legal duties should bear the costs of remedying that loss.

In Finland, vahinkovastuu is primarily regulated by the Civil Code, especially Sections 17 and 68 which outline the general duty of care and the circumstances leading to legal responsibility. Additional rules are found in the Product Liability Act, the Aviation Liability Act and other sector‑specific statutes. The Code recognises both contract‑based liability and tort‑based liability, allowing a plaintiff to claim damages for breach of contract or for acts that breach general standards of conduct. The extent of liability is limited by the concepts of fault, negligence and foreseeability.

In practice, vahinkovastuu is exercised when a loss is proven to be caused by the defendant’s actions. The defendant must fulfil the duty to compensate in full or share the burden if multiple parties are involved. Exemptions and defenses include the defence of contributory negligence or the presence of force majeure. The system provides a balanced framework that incentivises safe conduct while recognizing the complexity of causation in modern society.