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Affectieschade: when can close relatives claim?

Dutch affectieschade, care costs and shockschade are different claims. Check eligible relationships and current law.

Duration: 1:46

Final legal and language review remain open. General information does not replace advice on your case.

Full transcript

Affectieschade: when can close relatives claim?. General information.

Affectieschade compensates close relatives after death or serious permanent injury for which another person is liable. Not every distressing experience creates entitlement. The relationship and statutory conditions must be examined.

A relative's sorrow, psychiatric injury following confrontation and assistance expenses have different legal routes. First identify the type of loss. The victim's entitlement does not automatically establish relatives' or others' separate claims.

The statutory group of close relatives is subject to conditions. Ask which relationship, caregiving situation and facts matter. An online checklist is no final determination; relevant dates and the applicable rules may also require legal assessment.

Proposals have sought to extend the scheme, including to siblings. An announcement or recommendation does not establish that a change is in force. Have current law and commencement checked: this video promises no entitlement based on a proposal.

Keep relevant relationship and consequence information without immediately sharing all medical data widely. Discuss your own expenses and who handles each claim. Our guide separates concepts; human legal assessment of your circumstances remains necessary.

Read the full explanation and sources on our website. Obtain an assessment of which rules apply to your situation.

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Official sources

  1. rijksoverheid.nl — https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2026/06/26/uitbreiding-ongemaximeerde-voorschotregeling-en-vergoeding-affectieschade
  2. rechtspraak.nl — https://www.rechtspraak.nl/onderwerpen/letselschade
  3. raadvanstate.nl — https://www.raadvanstate.nl/adviezen/@159351/w16-26-00193-ii/

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