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Przy współpracy z Advokatfirmaet Unneland AS
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26.03.2026 08:00
After an Accident in Norway, Many Poles Say: "I Thought I Wasn't Entitled to Compensation"
"It was just an ordinary day at work" – that's how many stories begin for people who later end up on sick leave or in rehabilitation after an accident.
Compensation for an accident in Norway
MojaNorwegia
A fall on a construction site, a spinal injury during physical work, or a traffic accident on the way to work – such situations happen in Norway more often than many people think. However, the problem lies elsewhere: many Poles do not know what to do in the first days after an accident or whether they are even entitled to compensation.
We very often hear from clients: "I didn't know I could apply for compensation" or "I thought it wasn't worth it." Meanwhile, many people are entitled to it, even if the injury initially seems minor.~ says Diana Unneland, advokat MNA from Advokatfirmaet Unneland AS.
According to lawyers' experience, several recurring mistakes appear in many cases. These are often made in the very first days after the accident.
1. The Accident Was Not Reported
One of the most common problems is the lack of formal reporting of the incident.
In Norway, a workplace accident should be reported to the employer and the relevant institutions, including NAV. If the incident is not recorded, it becomes much harder later to prove that the injury actually occurred at work.
Reporting an accident is one of the most important things. Sometimes, an employee reports an injury only after several weeks, when the pain gets worse. Then, proving the connection to the accident is much more difficult.~explains Diana Unneland
Read more about what a workplace accident is and why it should be reported in the article:
What is a workplace accident and why should it be reported to NAV
2. Visiting the Doctor Too Late
After an accident, many people try to wait out the pain or assume the injury will go away on its own. Only after several weeks do they see a doctor.
Meanwhile, medical documentation is one of the most important elements in a compensation case.
The medical documentation should contain detailed information about the accident and symptoms. This is often one of the key pieces of evidence in a compensation case.~ emphasizes Diana Unneland.
3. Belief That the Injury Is "Too Small"
Many victims believe that compensation is only available in the case of very serious injuries.
In practice, however, it may also be granted when the injury causes long-term pain, treatment, or work limitations.
Sometimes it only becomes clear after several months that the accident has left permanent health consequences.
4. Thinking That NAV Sickness Benefits Exclude Compensation
After an accident, many people use sickness benefits and assume this is the only benefit they can receive.
However, benefits from NAV and compensation are two different issues.
NAV pays social benefits, while compensation is a reimbursement for the damage suffered. In many cases, you may be entitled to both at the same time.~ explains Diana Unneland.
5. The Most Common Mistake: Doing Nothing
The most frequently repeated story, however, is that many people simply do not check whether they are entitled to compensation.
Sometimes this is due to a lack of knowledge about Norwegian regulations, and sometimes from the belief that the whole procedure will be complicated.
It's worth at least asking about your situation. Often, even basic information is enough to assess whether a person is entitled to compensation.
Dotota Złotowska JohansenAdvokatfirmaet Unneland AS
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