Patient injury reports hit record high in Finland last year

Patient injury compensation claims in Finland reached an all-time high in 2025, with 10,800 reports filed—a 13% increase from the previous year, according to the Patient Insurance Centre.

The surge follows efforts by welfare regions to clear treatment backlogs, leading to a rise in medical procedures and, consequently, potential adverse events, said Minna Plit-Turunen, director of the Patient Insurance Centre. “More patient visits and procedures naturally increase the likelihood of harmful incidents,” she explained.

Compensation payouts also set a new record at nearly €31 million, up €5.5 million from 2024. The increase was largely due to faster processing times, supported by additional staff. The centre resolved nearly 12,000 claims last year—2,000 more than in 2024—with about one in four applicants receiving compensation.

The most common injuries occurred during musculoskeletal surgeries or dental treatments, followed by delays in diagnosis or referrals. While the exact reasons for the rise remain under analysis, Plit-Turunen speculated that patients may now expect more from their care, and economic pressures could drive more compensation claims.

In the Pirkanmaa welfare region, compensable injuries doubled from 87 in 2024 to 167 in 2025. Sirpa Rainesalo, chief medical officer, attributed this to timing in claim resolutions, noting that 2024 had been unusually low. Most cases involved preventable treatment errors, particularly in hospital surgeries.

Nationally, Uusimaa (including Helsinki) reported the highest number of compensable injuries (446), with significant increases also in Central Finland, Kymenlaakso, and Lapland.