Compensation

1. Accident Compensation and Damages

In our fast-paced world, anyone can be involved in a traffic accident at any time. However, despite the frequency of accidents, claiming compensation is by no means routine. Often, after the initial shock, we face the reality that—even though we were not at fault, and the other vehicle involved had mandatory liability insurance—the insurer:

• refuses to pay any compensation at all, disputing their liability or the basis for compensation,
• refuses to pay compensation as long as a misdemeanor or, worse, a criminal procedure is ongoing,
• offers less compensation than the actual damage to our damaged vehicle, setting repair costs so low that we cannot afford the repairs, unjustifiably depreciates parts during the repair, and if the vehicle is declared a total loss, sets an unrealistically low market value,
• does not reimburse other damages resulting from the accident (legal jargon: consequential damages), such as rental fees for a replacement vehicle during repairs,
• in case of personal injury, refuses to pay damages for pain and suffering or offers only minimal compensation even in serious traffic accidents.

Our general experience is that injured clients often feel—and insurers sometimes make it clear—that the insurer and the injured party are not equal partners. But how could they be, when the injured party rarely encounters traffic accidents daily and usually lacks experience in exactly how, on what legal grounds, and in what amount they can claim compensation from the insurer? Meanwhile, insurers handle hundreds of claims daily and have decades of experience optimizing their payout costs.

So what can the injured party do if the expert sent by the insurer claims that the repair can be done cheaper than the service repair estimate, that certain repair items are unrelated to the accident, or that some parts must be depreciated by 50%?

What can you do if the insurer says your car, which was declared a total loss and valued at five million, is only worth three million according to their own assessment, and they refuse to pay more?

If, unfortunately, you also suffered serious injuries in the accident, would you accept the few hundred thousand forints in compensation offered by the insurer, even though you feel that amount hardly provides meaningful redress for your suffering?

In these cases, you have two options: either accept that you have no chance of securing fair compensation from the insurer, or take up the fight and defend your rights. In the latter case, the Dr. Megyesi Law Office, as a specialist in compensation claims, can be of assistance to you.

2. Compensation and Damages Related to Workplace Accidents

According to Section 166 (1) of the Labor Code, the employer is obligated to compensate the employee for damages caused in connection with the employment relationship. In theory, this means that if the employee suffers damage related to their existing employment — typically during work — the employer is required to compensate for the damage.

However, what chances does an employee realistically have to successfully claim any compensation, let alone a fair amount, from the employer for a workplace accident?

The members of the Dr. Megyesi Law Office have successfully represented our employee clients in numerous labor lawsuits against their employers.

3. Compensation and damages based on medical malpractice

According to Section 166 (1) of the Labor Code (Mt.), the employer is obligated to compensate the employee for damages caused in connection with the employment relationship. In theory, this rule means that if an employee suffers damage related to their existing employment—typically during the course of work—the employer is required to compensate for the damage incurred.

However, what are the chances for the employee to successfully claim any compensation, let alone a reasonable amount, against the employer for a work-related injury?

The members of the Dr. Megyesi Law Office have successfully represented the interests of our employee clients in numerous labor disputes against employers.

4. Other compensation cases

Compensation claims may naturally arise in many other situations, for example:

• In the case of a collision with wildlife that has wandered onto a public road, depending on the circumstances, against the hunting association or possibly the road authority,
• In case of damage caused by defects in a building or by falling parts of the building (e.g., plaster, roof tiles), against the condominium association or the building owner,
• In case of damage caused by breach of contract—for example, if a defect in a purchased property or vehicle is discovered later, resulting in additional damage—against the contracting party,
• In case of damage caused by activities involving increased risk (e.g., industrial disaster), against the operator of the hazardous facility,
• In case of damage caused in the exercise of administrative powers, against the legal entity exercising public authority,
• In case of damage caused by a minor, depending on the circumstances, against the guardian of the minor,
• In case of damage caused by a criminal act, against the perpetrator,
• In case of damage caused by a domestic animal, against the animal owner,

claims for compensation can be enforced.

The members of the Dr. Megyesi Law Office have represented our clients before the court in each of the above types of cases.