How Much Does a Medical Error Cost in Latvia: Doctors Made Mistakes Worth 3 Million Euros

The Latvian Medical Risk Fund (MRF) reviewed 331 complaints about poor treatment last year. Following the investigations, 78 claims were deemed justified.

In these cases, experts confirmed the presence of damages eligible for compensation. In some instances, affected patients received substantial compensation for health damages. Overall, in 2025, patients were paid more than 3 million euros for the mistakes of Latvian medical professionals.

On average, in 2025, the average duration for reviewing a complaint was just over six months.

Leading are Traumatologists and Surgeons

Most often, patients had complaints last year regarding the work of:

traumatology - 53 cases,
surgery - 31 requests,
gynecology and obstetrics - 25 complaints,
dentistry - 18 statements.

Working on Mistakes: Repeat Surgical Operations

A notable complaint against medical professionals became known in early February: due to suspected poor treatment, the Jekabpils Regional Hospital temporarily suspended two traumatologists from work.

The reason: several patients developed complications after treatment in Jekabpils, necessitating repeat surgeries in Riga.

Andris Jerinsh, the chief physician of the Trauma and Orthopedics Hospital in Riga, stated: "Patients who were treated at the Jekabpils Regional Hospital came to us with complications that required repeat surgical treatment."

As reported by the management of the Jekabpils Hospital, the local traumatology department had to suspend operations during the investigation, which means patients will have to be referred to other hospitals. Clearly, these will be in Rezekne and Daugavpils. Both cities are more than 90 kilometers away from Jekabpils.

One of the suspended doctors is orthopedic traumatologist Mykola K. He declined to comment on the situation: "I think I will refrain from commenting on this situation."

Maximum Compensation of 142,290 Euros

According to the Patient Rights Law (Article 16), every resident of Latvia has the right to compensation from the Medical Risk Fund if harm has been caused to their health or life — including moral harm.

This applies to both direct actions or inactions of doctors, as well as "improper conditions in the medical institution." Additionally, the Fund reimburses expenses for additional treatment required to correct the consequences of a medical error.

The limits on payments are clearly defined by law: the maximum amount for health damage (including moral harm) is 142,290 euros. If a patient had to pay for treatment to recover from a medical error, they can expect reimbursement of these expenses up to 28,460 euros.