Nordic compensation schemes for drug injuries

Journal article

Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Norway each operate successful no fault compensation schemes for injuries caused by both medical treatment and use of medicinal products. The existence of these schemes avoids the necessity for claims to be resolved through the courts, as medical negligence or product liability claims. The schemes are administrative/ inquisitorial and cheap to operate, both in terms of administration costs and cost of sums paid. The low level of the latter costs is due to both low historic levels of damages, as would be awarded by courts, and particularly the fact that compensation is paid to injured persons from various sources, with no recourse being taken between the different sources. The schemes offer significant attractions, but it is difficult to see how they could be applied in other States given the background economic pre-conditions. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2006.

Authors: Hodges, C

• Journal: Journal of Consumer Policy
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 143-175
• Publication date: 2006-06-01
• DOI: 10.1007/s10603-006-9003-4
• EISSN: 1573-0700
• ISSN: 0168-7034
• Language: English
• Keywords: Product liability; Compensation schemes; Sweden; Nordic; Finland; Denmark; Norway