Existing user? Sign in
Share your needs with us, get contacted by law firms.
Free. Takes 2 min.
Nesttun is a neighbourhood in Bergen in Vestland county. Construction work in Nesttun is regulated by national Norwegian law and supervised locally by agencies and services based in Bergen and Vestland. If you are injured in a construction accident in Nesttun, your rights and remedies will typically arise from a combination of workplace health and safety rules, compulsory employer insurance for occupational injuries, the national social security system, and general rules on civil liability. Immediate practical steps - medical care, reporting the accident, and preserving evidence - are the same whether the accident happens on a large building site or a small renovation job.
Construction accidents can involve complex legal and factual issues. You may need a lawyer when:
- Your injury is serious, leads to long-term impairment, or causes permanent disability.
- There is a dispute over who was at fault - for example between employer, subcontractor, equipment supplier, or a third party.
- Your employer or their insurer denies that the injury is work-related, or rejects a complete claim for compensation through NAV or the employer's occupational injury insurer.
- You face short-term loss of income and need help securing wage replacement, sickness benefits, or future loss of earnings compensation.
- The accident raises questions of criminal liability or prosecution, such as serious breaches of safety rules.
- You are asked to sign a settlement or release and want independent advice before giving up future claims.
- You are a non-Norwegian worker, subcontractor, or self-employed person with cross-border issues or unclear insurance coverage.
Key pieces of law and rules that commonly apply to construction accidents in Nesttun include:
- Arbeidsmiljøloven - the Working Environment Act. This law sets employer obligations on health, safety, and the working environment, including risk assessment, safety training, use of protective equipment, and duty to prevent accidents. It also provides protections for safety representatives and rules for reporting dangerous situations.
- Folketrygdloven - the National Insurance Act. Work-related injuries and occupational diseases are often covered by the national social security system administered by NAV. Benefits can include medical coverage, rehabilitation, sickness benefits, temporary or permanent disability benefits, and vocational retraining support.
- Obligation to carry occupational injury insurance - employers in Norway must have insurance that covers employees for work-related injuries and occupational diseases. This insurance handles many compensation issues in practice.
- Skadeserstatningsrett - the general tort and liability regime. If a third party is responsible - for example a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner - you may have a civil claim for compensation under ordinary rules on fault and causation. Compensation can cover past and future loss of earnings, medical expenses, care needs, and non-pecuniary losses.
- Reporting and investigation rules. Serious workplace accidents must be reported to the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority - Arbeidstilsynet - and may involve police investigation if criminal negligence or serious injury occurred.
- Time limits. Statutes of limitation apply to compensation claims. Deadlines can vary depending on the type of claim and whether you pursue benefits through NAV, an insurer, or civil court. You should act promptly to preserve rights.
Get medical attention first - call emergency services for serious injuries. Report the accident to your employer or site manager, ask that the incident be recorded in the site accident log, and make a note of witnesses and conditions. Preserve physical evidence and take photographs. If the injury is serious or caused by possible criminal conduct, contact the police. Notify your union or representative if you have one.
Emergency treatment and primary medical care are available through the Norwegian health system. For work-related injuries, many treatment costs and rehabilitation are covered or coordinated via NAV and the employer's occupational injury insurance. Keep all medical records and receipts to support benefit or compensation claims.
Inform your employer immediately and ask them to make an internal accident report. For serious incidents, the employer must notify the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority - Arbeidstilsynet. You can also report to NAV when applying for benefits. If criminal conduct is suspected, file a report with the local police in Bergen.
Yes. If the injury is work-related, NAV sickness benefits and other income-replacement schemes may apply. You can also claim compensation for lost earnings through the employer's occupational injury insurance or in a civil claim against a liable third party. A lawyer can help calculate past and future earning losses.
Employer statements do not automatically bar compensation. Norwegian law considers employer duties to ensure a safe workplace. Even if you made a mistake, employer negligence or lack of proper safety measures can still create liability. Document the situation, seek medical care, and consult your union or a lawyer to assess your options.
Yes. Notify NAV about the injury for access to benefits and rehabilitation services. Your employer should also notify their occupational injury insurer. These processes run in parallel with any civil claim you might bring against liable parties.
Time limits vary by type of claim. Administrative claims to NAV and insurer deadlines are generally faster. Civil claims have limitation periods that can start when you become aware of the injury and its cause. Because rules differ by circumstance, seek legal advice early to avoid losing rights.
Yes, independent contractors and subcontractors can have claims, but coverage and procedures differ from employee claims. Liability may come from the party that contracted the work, the site owner, or an equipment supplier. Insurance arrangements can be more complicated for self-employed workers, so seek tailored legal advice.
Serious breaches of health and safety obligations can lead to administrative sanctions or criminal prosecution. The police and Arbeidstilsynet investigate serious accidents. A lawyer can help protect your interests during investigations and advise you about cooperating with authorities.
Do not sign a full release or settlement without understanding whether it covers future losses and whether it is fair. Settlements can permanently end your right to later claims. Have a lawyer review any offer to ensure you are not giving up compensation you will need later.
If you need further assistance or information, the following local and national organisations can be helpful:
- Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority - Arbeidstilsynet - oversees workplace safety and receives reports of serious accidents.
- NAV - Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration - handles social security benefits, rehabilitation, and vocational support for work injuries.
- Bergen Police District - for reporting incidents that may involve criminal conduct.
- Haukeland University Hospital - the main hospital in Bergen for serious injuries and specialized care.
- Bergen kommune - local municipal services, including health and social services.
- Unions and trade organisations - for example Fellesforbundet or LO local branches - for workplace representation and support.
- The Norwegian Bar Association and local law firms in Bergen - to find lawyers experienced in construction and personal injury law.
- Insurance Ombudsman and Finanstilsynet - for complaints and information about insurers and insurance conduct.
Take the following steps if you need legal assistance after a construction accident in Nesttun:
- Prioritise safety and health - get medical care and follow medical advice for records and treatment.
- Report the accident to your employer, request a written accident report, and, if appropriate, notify Arbeidstilsynet and the police.
- Document everything - photos, witness names and statements, times, pay records, contracts, and correspondence.
- Contact NAV to register the injury and begin any benefit or rehabilitation applications.
- Talk to your union or employee safety representative if you have one.
- If the injury is serious, or the circumstances are disputed, consult a lawyer experienced in construction accidents and Norwegian labour and injury law. Ask about their experience with cases in Bergen and their fees - many offer an initial consultation.
- Do not sign settlement documents or full releases without legal advice.
Early action improves your chance of securing appropriate medical care, benefits, and compensation. A local lawyer or union representative can help you navigate Norway's systems and protect your rights after a construction accident in Nesttun.
