Personal Injury

EU Regulation (EC) No 864/2007 (Rome II) generally applies the law of the country where the injury occurred, unless both parties are habitually resident in another EU country and the tort is manifestly more closely connected to that country.

Yes, but only in limited circumstances — parties may choose the applicable law for non-contractual obligations like torts under EU Regulation (EC) No 864/2007 (Rome II), subject to strict conditions and mandatory exceptions.

In cross-border personal injury cases within the EU, the law of the country where the harm occurred usually applies — but you may choose the law of your habitual residence if the tortfeasor could reasonably foresee you'd be affected there.

Your personal injury claim arising from a package holiday in the EU is governed by the Package Travel Directive (2015/2302), which gives you rights against the tour operator, regardless of where the injury occurred.

Yes, as a crime victim in the EU, you have the right to free interpretation services during criminal proceedings if you do not speak or understand the language used.

Yes, the new EU Product Liability Directive (2024/2843) explicitly covers AI-powered devices as 'products', making manufacturers liable for harm caused by defects, including software and AI-related flaws.

In the EU, the burden of proof in product liability claims generally falls on the injured person, but the manufacturer must prove certain defences — such as that the defect did not exist when the product was put into circulation.

Yes, under EU law you can usually claim directly from the at-fault driver’s insurer in another EU country, without needing to go through your own insurer or the driver first.

Yes, you can still get compensation through your national Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) or equivalent compensation body, even if the hit-and-run driver is unidentified.

The guarantee fund of the EU country where the accident occurred pays compensation, not the driver’s home country’s fund.

Under EU law, you generally cannot sue the insurer directly unless national law permits it — the EU does not grant automatic direct action rights against insurers in motor accident cases.

Yes, there is a time limit: under EU law, the limitation period for product liability claims is generally 3 years from when you became aware of the damage, the defect, and the identity of the producer — but no claim can be brought more than 10 years after the defective product was put into circulation.

Yes, minors in the EU generally have extended time limits for personal injury claims, but the exact rules depend on national law — most member states suspend or extend limitation periods until the minor reaches majority (usually age 18).

The EU Environmental Liability Directive (2004/35/EC) applies to environmental damage caused by industrial facilities, requiring operators to prevent and remediate damage to protected species, natural habitats, water, and land.

As a crime victim in another EU country, you have legally guaranteed rights to information, support, protection, and participation in criminal proceedings under EU Directive 2012/29/EU.

Yes, data loss caused by a defective product can be compensable in the EU when linked to physical injury, but pure data loss without personal injury or damage to private property is generally not covered under the Product Liability Directive.

Yes, in most EU countries, victims of violent crime like assault can apply for state compensation even if the offender is unable to pay.

EU law requires Member States to ensure victims receive compensation within a reasonable time, with a maximum of 3 months for decisions on applications under the Victims’ Rights Directive.

EU law grants trafficking victims special protections including residence permits, access to support services, legal assistance, and immunity from prosecution for crimes committed as a direct result of being trafficked.

A product is 'defective' under EU law if it does not provide the safety a person is entitled to expect, considering its presentation, intended use, and reasonable expectations of the public.

No, the manufacturer is not automatically liable—but under the EU Product Liability Directive, they are strictly liable for damage caused by a defect in their product, without the need to prove negligence.

No — under EU law, manufacturers cannot avoid liability by claiming ignorance of a defect; liability is strict and based on the product’s condition, not fault or knowledge.

If a product made outside the EU injures you and there’s no EU-based manufacturer, the EU importer or authorised representative is strictly liable under the Product Liability Directive.

Yes, the software producer may be liable under the EU Product Liability Directive if the software is considered a 'product' and the bug made the car unreasonably dangerous.

Yes, the seller is always liable to the consumer under EU law — they cannot avoid responsibility by blaming the manufacturer.