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Compensation in a medical malpractice case is intended to put you, as far as money can, in the position you would have been in had the malpractice not occurred, not a windfall, not a punishment, but an evidence-led calculation of what the harm has cost you. This hub is the starting point: how it’s structured, what can be recovered, and links to detailed guides on each.
How compensation is structured under Turkish law
Turkish law divides what you can recover into two categories. Most serious claims involve both, and the split varies significantly by case.
- Material damages, quantifiable financial loss you can document: corrective and revision treatment, lost earnings, travel and accommodation for repair, and future care. You produce receipts, quotes and records.
- Moral damages, non-financial harm, awarded at a judge’s discretion under Article 56 of the Turkish Code of Obligations: pain, disfigurement, and the loss of quality of life caused by the harm.
Guides in this section
How much can I claim?
What shapes a realistic figure under Turkish law, and why only wide ranges can be given.
Read the guideTypes of compensation
Material and moral damages, the categories of loss you can claim for, and how each is assessed.
Read the guideHow to make a claim
The practical steps to bring a malpractice claim in Turkey, in order.
Read the guideFinding a lawyer in Turkey
Why your lawyer must be Turkish-qualified, and how to choose one.
Read the guideTime limits
Why deadlines vary by legal route, and why “too late” is rarely the right assumption.
Read the guideWhat strengthens a compensation claim
Compensation is evidence-led, so what you gather shapes what you can recover.
- Every cost, documented, invoices and quotes for corrective treatment, travel, and any care you have already paid for. A written treatment plan from the clinician putting the work right is far stronger than your own estimate.
- Proof of lost earnings, payslips, employer letters or accounts showing time off work or a lasting effect on what you can earn.
- A record of the harm itself, dated photographs, an independent medical report, and notes on how the injury affects your daily life, which support the moral (non-financial) side of a claim.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fixed amount I can expect?
No. Turkish law has no fixed tariff for malpractice compensation. A court assesses each head of loss against your specific evidence, the severity of the harm, the cost of putting it right, lost earnings, and the impact on your life. Anyone who quotes you a figure before seeing your records is guessing. Realistic ranges only come after a Turkish-qualified lawyer reviews the case.
Will I have to pay tax on my compensation?
That depends on the tax rules of the country where you live, which vary from place to place. Many countries do not tax personal-injury or negligence awards, but some treat parts of an award differently. Confirm your own position with a qualified tax adviser in your home country.
Who pays the legal costs?
How costs and lawyer’s fees work is governed by Turkish procedure and the arrangement you agree with your lawyer, not by your home country’s rules. Turkish cases also rely on an independent court-appointed expert whose fee is separate from your lawyer’s. Always ask a Turkish-qualified lawyer for a written breakdown of fees and likely costs before you commit.
How long does a compensation claim in Turkey take?
There is no fixed timeline. A well-documented case that settles can resolve relatively quickly, while a contested civil claim that runs to court, relying on an independent expert report, can take a year or more. Cross-border cases add time for translation and gathering records from abroad. A Turkish-qualified lawyer can give you a realistic estimate once they have seen your file.
Does compensation cover corrective treatment I've already paid for?
It can. The cost of putting failed work right, corrective and revision treatment, whether already paid or still needed, is usually the largest part of a material-damages claim. Keep every invoice, quote and treatment plan; a written plan from the clinician correcting the work is far stronger evidence than your own estimate.
Can my family claim if a patient died or was seriously harmed?
Yes. Under Article 56 of the Turkish Code of Obligations, close relatives can seek moral damages of their own where a patient suffers serious bodily harm or dies as a result of negligence, a recognised, compensable interest under Turkish law, separate from the patient’s own claim.
Will I have to travel back to Turkey to claim?
Usually not for most of the process. A Turkish-qualified lawyer can act for you under a power of attorney, filing documents and attending hearings on your behalf, so much of a cross-border claim is handled remotely, by document exchange.