erstatting

Erstatting is a term used in Danish and Norwegian to denote compensation or indemnification paid to someone who has suffered a loss, damage, or injury. It can be monetary or provided in kind (in natura) and aims to restore the injured party to the position they would have been in, as far as possible, or to reimburse the losses incurred. The word derives from old terms meaning to substitute or repay.

In legal contexts, erstatting arises from a duty to compensate harm caused by breach of contract, fault, or negligence. The responsible party may be required to pay erstatning under statutes, case law, or contractual terms. The scope, amount, and conditions of erstatning vary by jurisdiction, the nature of the harm, and the type of loss involved.

Common forms include economic damages such as medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, loss of income, and repair or replacement of damaged property. Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, may also be compensated in some legal systems. Erstatning can be paid as money or provided in kind, for example by replacing or repairing damaged goods or restoring a service.

In insurance and social protection, erstatning is typically organized through policies or state programs that specify covered losses, limits, deductibles, and procedures for claims. Calculating erstatning involves considerations such as actual losses, foreseeability, contributory fault, and applicable legal or contractual rules. The term and its precise use vary by country and legal tradition, but the core idea is to compensate or restore a person who has suffered harm.