According to the Norwegian Institute for Patient Compensation (Norsk pasientskadeerstatning, NPE), a total of 2012 patients have been compensated since 48. In total, they amounted to more than PLN 17 million NOK.
Like Radio Wataha on Facebook!
Most mistakes in orthopedics
As we read in the official announcement on the NPE website, most cases - 27 in total - of compensation payments related to errors committed during orthopedic surgery. As many as 14 of them were related to back surgery. Doctors made serious mistakes in their performance. They concerned both cutting the wrong side, and performing surgery on the wrong part of the back that required it.
The mistakes were serious
For all 48 patients who received NPE compensation, the mistakes made were serious. They had to be operated on again and the recovery time was increased. Many people also experienced pain and even paralysis, paralysis of the limbs or extensive infections. All because in many cases those organs that were completely healthy were removed.
NPE informs that these errors could have been avoided
Incorrectly performed operating activities caused a lot of harm to the injured people. Not only did they have to be re-hospitalized, but their psyche was also negatively affected. According to NPE, the errors made were procedural in nature and were not related to operational risk. The Institute is looking at these matters to draw conclusions and prevent future negligence.
Almost 30% of applications considered positively
Statistics show that almost 30% of claims for compensation are approved. At the same time, it is worth being aware that NPE is not the final instance. Even if the Institute rejects our application, it is worth appealing against this decision. This was the case of a Polish woman who in 2007 underwent an operation which resulted in an infection of the hip bone. Initially, her application was rejected because she completed part of her rehabilitation in Poland. However, she appealed against this decision and a Norwegian court awarded her compensation in the amount of PLN 350 for lost income.
Poles rarely exercise their rights
Polonia w Norway rarely uses health services. This is due to low trust in the public health service. Poles are even less likely to take advantage of the opportunity to obtain compensation for medical errors. This, in turn, is dictated primarily by the language barrier and ignorance of Norwegian law. As long as a foreigner works in Norway and pays health insurance contributions there, he or she has the same right to health care as a Norwegian. The same applies to compensation. To apply for it, a total of four conditions must be met:
- the sustained damage to health must result from the conducted treatment, tests or the process of diagnosis,
- there must have been a mistake in the activities of a doctor,
- the damage suffered must have led to loss of income, and thus deterioration of the economic situation,
- the claim for compensation must be submitted within 3 years from the moment the patient became aware that the damage to health was caused by medical malpractice.
It is worth fighting for yours - there is something for!
As follows from the above, it is worth using medical services in Norway. Even more so, we can apply for compensation if we have suffered health damage as a result of medical errors made during surgery. NPE awards high amounts, and one of the records is as much as NOK 6 million. This amount was received by a Norwegian woman who was admitted to hospital in Orkdal and, as a result of errors made during a caesarean section, air entered her bloodstream. This, in turn, seriously impaired her motor skills and also caused visual disturbances.
