Damages in criminal cases

The court may order a convicted person to pay compensation for personal injury or damage to property. Compensation may also be available from an insurance company, Kela or the State Treasury as compensation for criminal damage.

The terms and conditions of insurance companies vary and the best place to find out about them it is one’s own insurance company.

Damages imposed by a court

A person convicted of a crime can be ordered by a court to pay compensation to the victim for things such as stolen or damaged property, injury, temporary or permanent harm, medical expenses and loss of earnings.

In some cases, the victim may be entitled to receive compensation for suffering as well. In this case, it is usually a question of serious violation of personal integrity.

When a case is heard in court, the victim of a crime can make a claim the compensation, which is dealt with together with the criminal charge. It is good to keep receipts for medical visits and expenses related to property, so that it is easier to prove the expenses caused by the crime. Often, the police will make a preliminary enquiry about the victim’s claims the compensation before the court hearing, but usually the claims must be confirmed or re-notified to the district court.

If a convicted person is ordered to pay compensation, the victim must make the arrangements themselves for the compensation to be paid. They can contact the convicted person directly to obtain compensation. Another option is to apply for enforcement of the judgement, in which case the National Enforcement Authority will collect the compensation.

Compensation for criminal damage

Victims of crime can apply to the State Treasury for compensation for criminal damage. However, compensation from State funds is always secondary. It can be obtained if the compensation is not recovered from the convicted person, and the damages are not paid, for example, by insurance or Kela.

Victims can only receive compensation if they have reported the crime. If the criminal case is heard by a district court, compensation can be applied for after the court’s decision. However, victim can also apply for compensation if the perpetrator has not been caught or the case has not otherwise been heard by a court or mediation.

The State recovers compensation paid to the victim of a crime retroactively from the person convicted of the crime. Such recovery is handled by the Legal Register Centre. More information on compensation to crime victims (valtiokonttori.fi).