vahinkojuridiikka

Vahinkojuridiikka, or tort law, is the branch of private law that governs liability for harm caused to others outside of contractual relationships. It encompasses the rules under which a person or organization may be required to compensate for losses arising from negligent, intentional, or otherwise wrongful acts, as well as certain strict liability regimes where fault need not be proven.

The core questions in vahinkojuridiikka concern whether a duty of care existed, whether that duty was breached, and whether the breach caused damages. In fault-based systems, liability typically rests on a breach of a legal or social duty and a proven causal link to the harm. In strict or no-fault regimes, liability may attach regardless of fault, for example in certain product liability or hazardous activity cases. Damages can be economic, such as medical costs or lost earnings, and non-economic, such as pain and suffering.

Common defenses include contributory or comparative negligence, assumption of risk, consent, or statutory exemptions. Causation doctrines often require both factual causation and legal causation to be established before liability may be imposed. The facts are usually evaluated in light of foreseeability, proportionality, and the reasonable expectations of the parties.

Finnish vahinkojuridiikka draws on national statutes like the Tort Liability Act and extensive case law, and it is influenced by European Union directives on product liability and consumer protection. It also intersects with insurance law, contract law, and professional liability frameworks.

Vahinkojuridiikka is taught in Finnish law schools and studied in comparative contexts to understand differences and similarities with other civil law and common law traditions.