COMPENSATION TO HCV-INFECTED PERSONS IN NORWAY

In early 1999 more than hundred Norwegian haemophiliacs infected by Hepatitis C virus (HCV) applied for compensation from the Norwegian Parliament.

In the autumn of 1999 the Parliament decided that all persons who had been infected by HCV by blood transfusion should receive a compensation of minimum Norwegian Kroner (NOK) 60.000. Since then the Norwegian Haemophilia Society (FBIN) worked to convince the authorities that the infected haemophiliacs should be entitled to a larger compensation than infected non-haemophiliacs.

In January 2001 a committee in the Norwegian Parliament supported FBIN’s view, and decided on the following compensation amounts for HCV-infected haemophiliacs:

• NOK 100.000 (ALAT < 150)
• NOK 130.000 (ALAT > 150)
• from NOK 170.000 (liver cirrhosis)
• to NOK 500.000 (liver cancer)

84 persons received NOK 100.000, 22 received 130.000 and 1 received 170.000.

If the illness deteriorates the persons who have received compensation may apply for a higher amount.

This form of compensation, paid by the parliament, is a so called “equity compensation”. There is no need to prove that someone has done something wrong or illegal to receive compensation.