A medical error caused lasting harm — how do I claim compensation?
Two separate tracks: a complaint about the care (which does not pay money) and a compensation claim, which in most EU countries goes first to a no-fault or patient-injury scheme — Fonds voor de Medische Ongevallen (FMO) / Fonds des accidents médicaux (fmo.fgov.be) — that pays for avoidable harm without proving anyone was negligent, faster and without court. Request your full medical records first; they are the evidence. Federale ombudsdienst Rechten van de patiënt (02 524 85 20) handles the complaint about the treatment; Bureau voor Juridische Bijstand (pro Deo) / Justitiehuis (advocaat.be) advises on a court claim where the scheme does not apply, and on deadlines, which are usually three years from knowing about the harm.
🗣️ What to say
"On [date] I was treated at [place] for [condition]. As a result of [what went wrong] I now have [lasting harm]. I request a copy of my complete medical records and file a claim for compensation for avoidable injury."
🪜 Step by step
- Records firstFull file, including nursing notes and imaging. You have a right to a copy within a month.
- Independent opinionA second doctor's view on whether the harm was avoidable. Patient organisations know who does these assessments.
- Scheme claim: Fonds voor de Medische Ongevallen (FMO) / Fonds des accidents médicauxForm, records, the harm and its consequences. No lawyer needed; the scheme investigates.
- Complaint: Federale ombudsdienst Rechten van de patiëntIn parallel — it improves care and its findings help the claim.
- Court or insurer: Bureau voor Juridische Bijstand (pro Deo) / JustitiehuisWhere the scheme does not cover (private care in some countries), the provider's liability insurer, then court. Watch the three-year deadline.
📇 All contacts
❓ Frequently asked
Do I need to prove negligence?
Under a patient-injury scheme, no — only that the injury was avoidable with the best available care. In court, yes; that is why the scheme goes first where it exists.
What can I claim?
Medical costs, lost income, care, adaptations, and pain and suffering. Keep every receipt from day one.
The hospital offered a small settlement
Get the independent opinion before signing; a settlement usually waives everything. Legal aid can review it.
📎 Sources
- Fonds voor de Medische Ongevallen (FMO) / Fonds des accidents médicaux →
- Federale ombudsdienst Rechten van de patiënt →
- Bureau voor Juridische Bijstand (pro Deo) / Justitiehuis →
- Orde der artsen — provinciale raad →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “medical negligence compensation Belgium”
- “patient injury claim no fault”
- “medical error claim deadline”
- “medical records request right”
- “sue hospital Belgium”
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