We always do our best, which is why it is very regrettable when our patients want to complain or seek compensation. But we also know that it is inevitable that mistakes happen from time to time, and of course they need to be investigated. On this page, you can read about your rights and find information about the bodies that can help you further.
If you as a patient want to complain about the treatment you have received or, for example, about a breach of patient rights, you can contact the Danish Patient Safety Authority.
If a patient wishes to apply for compensation only, it is still possible to submit a claim directly to the Patient Compensation Board. The Danish Patient Safety Authority also handles complaints about the Patient Compensation Boards decision on compensation.
Complaints about healthcare treatment
For complaints about healthcare treatment, please refer to:
The Danish Patient Safety Authority
Compensation for treatment injuries
All patients are covered by a public compensation scheme called Patienterstatningen.
The scheme covers you if you are injured in connection with treatment at a public hospital, a private hospital, your own doctor, a specialist or other licensed healthcare professionals in private practice. The scheme also covers pharmaceutical injuries.
It is the task of the Patient Compensation Association to ensure that patients receive the compensation they are entitled to by law. It is free of charge to report a case to the Patient Compensation Association.
The scheme applies to damage occurring after July 1, 1992, and the compensation must exceed DKK 10,000.
If the damage occurred before January 1, 2004, only physical damage is covered.
As of January 1, 2008, new limitation periods for compensation for treatment injuries apply. The limitation period is changed from 5 years to 3 years. The period is calculated from the time when you became aware of the injury or should have become aware of it.
In principle, the 3-year limitation rule also applies to damage that occurred in 2007. However, the exception is that damages occurring in 2007 become statute-barred at the earliest on January 1, 2011.
The consequence of the change in the law is that all damages occurring in 2007 become statute-barred 3 years after knowledge of the damage, but no earlier than January 1, 2011. Damage occurring on January 1, 2008 or later will expire 3 years after knowledge of the damage. Damage occurring before January 1, 2007 is still subject to a limitation period of 5 years after knowledge of the damage.
There is still an absolute limitation period of 10 years from the date of injury. This period also gives patients who have only belatedly become aware of the injury the opportunity to file a claim with the Patient Insurance Association.
You can read more about Patienterstatningen on their website, where you can also download claim forms.
Compensation for pharmaceutical injuries
There are special rules for compensation if you suffer a physical injury due to a medicine.
The scheme applies to physical injuries caused by a medicinal product dispensed to the patient on or after January 1, 1996, and the compensation must exceed DKK 3,000.
A pharmaceutical injury must be reported no later than 3 years after you have become aware of the injury; however, no later than 10 years after the day the medicine was dispensed to you.
Unintentional incidents
Both patients and relatives have the opportunity to report adverse events.
At the Danish Patient Safety Authority, you can report unintended incidents.
An adverse event can be defined as a patient and/or family member's experience of something not going as expected. The purpose of reporting such events is so that the healthcare system can learn from them.
Where can I read more?
You can also find more information at:
Our skilled medical secretaries are ready to help you.
Also find the address and opening hours of your local Capio branch.
Aalborg: 9839 2244 / aalborg@secure.capio.dk
Aarhus: 8612 1186 / aarhus@secure.capio.dk
Aarhus MR: 8612 1200 / mr.aarhus@secure.capio.dk
Hellerup: 3977 7070 / hellerup@secure.capio.dk
Odense: 6548 7070 / odense@secure.capio.dk
Viborg: 8725 0899 / viborg@secure.capio.dk
Viborg MR: 8725 0890 / mr.viborg@secure.capio.dk
Press inquiries: presse@capio.dk
