Tort
A tort forms a key pillar of Dutch law for Tilburg residents suffering damage caused by another party. It involves an act or omission that violates the law, a right, or standards of reasonableness and fairness, resulting in harm. For people in Tilburg, this is essential in personal injury cases, such as after a collision on the busy Ringbaan-Zuid due to another road user's negligence.
What does a tort mean for Tilburg?
The Dutch Civil Code (DCC) places the tort at the heart of injury claims without a contract. Imagine a driver ignoring a red light on the Heuvel in Tilburg and injuring a pedestrian. The at-fault party is liable and must compensate the damage. This forms the basis for many injury cases in our region. This article builds on our overview of liability in personal injury, focusing on local applications for Tilburg residents.
Legal basis
Article 6:162 DCC governs the tort: "A person who causes damage to another through an attributable unlawful act is obliged to compensate that damage." The District Court of Zeeland-West-Brabant in Breda, competent for Tilburg, applies this frequently.
Unlawfulness manifests in three forms:
- Breach of law or right: Such as ignoring traffic rules under the Road Traffic Act 1994 on Tilburg roads.
- Breach of social norms: Failing to warn of hazards, for example during construction in the Spoorzone.
- Lack of due care: A scooter rider not paying attention while overtaking on the Korvellaan.
Attributability (Article 6:162(2) DCC) requires the wrongdoer's responsibility, such as intent or fault. There must be causal connection: the damage must flow directly from the act.
Essential elements for a claim
For a successful tort claim in Tilburg, four conditions must be met:
- Unlawfulness: Breach of norms, as described.
- Attributability: Wrongdoer is accountable, except in cases of force majeure.
- Damage: Proven, such as medical costs, lost income, or non-pecuniary loss.
- Causal connection: Direct link; experts, often via the Juridisch Loket Tilburg, substantiate this with medical evidence.
Contact the Juridisch Loket Tilburg for free initial assistance with claims.
Examples from Tilburg practice
In Tilburg, the tort arises in everyday incidents. Example: you cross at a zebra crossing near Pieter Vreedeplein, a car runs a red light and causes whiplash. This breaches traffic rules (Article 6:162 DCC); claim from the insurer for hospital visits and income loss.
Or a medical error at ETZ Hospital: a doctor fails to note an allergy, leading to complications. This falls under breach of duty of care. The Supreme Court confirmed in 2022 that omissions qualify as torts.
In construction, such as municipal Tilburg projects: unsafe scaffolding injures a passerby. Social responsibility applies here.
Comparison with other liability
| Aspect | Tort | Strict liability (art. 6:175 DCC) | Contractual liability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basis | Negligence or intent | Risk (e.g., animals, substances) | Breach of contract |
| Tilburg example | Bike accident on the Heuvel | Bite from loose dog in park | Error by contracted physiotherapist |
| Burden of proof | Victim proves unlawfulness | Liable without fault | Contracting party proves |
This distinguishes it in local injury cases.
Rights as a Tilburg victim
You are entitled to full compensation (Article 6:95 DCC), including:
- Non-pecuniary: Pain and suffering compensation.
- Pecuniary: Medical care, rehabilitation, lost income.
- Future: In case of disability, such as impact on pension.
The wrongdoer must cooperate. Limitation period: three years after awareness of damage and wrongdoer (Article 3:310 DCC), or twenty years after the event. Proceed at the District Court of Zeeland-West-Brabant in Breda or the Juridisch Loket Tilburg.
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.