## Government Compensation in Rotterdam
In Rotterdam, citizens and businesses can claim financial compensation if they suffer damage due to actions or negligence by government authorities, such as the Municipality of Rotterdam. This includes unlawful decisions, neglect, or expropriation, often linked to urban projects like port expansions or infrastructure works. Dutch administrative law protects Rotterdam residents from the impact of government decisions, ensuring they do not bear unpaid losses from public actions in this vibrant port city.
### What is Government Compensation in Rotterdam?
Within **administrative law**, government compensation involves reimbursing material or immaterial damage caused by an unlawful act of a public authority, such as the Municipality of Rotterdam. This ranges from economic losses due to an erroneous decision to injuries from poor maintenance of roads or dikes. Unlike private claims under civil law, these cases fall under administrative rules that hold the government accountable, with specific focus on local challenges like water management and urban development.
Central to this is the **duty of care** that the government owes to Rotterdam residents. If breached, a claim may be filed. This article outlines the procedure, which aligns with the civil procedure against the government, but emphasizes administrative elements relevant to the region. For advice, contact the Legal Aid Office in Rotterdam.
### Legal Basis
The rules for government compensation are spread across various laws, with the **Civil Code (BW)** and the **General Administrative Law Act (Awb)** as the core.
- **Article 6:162 BW**: The foundation for unlawful acts, where compensation applies if the government acts unlawfully and directly causes loss to Rotterdam residents.
- **Article 3:106 BW**: Targets public authorities like the Municipality of Rotterdam, holding them liable for breaching standards of care, unless public interest prevails, such as in Maas River projects.
- **Article 3:112 Awb**: Covers the administrative procedure; start with an administrative request to the authority, followed by review by the Rotterdam District Court.
- **Expropriation Act (Ow)**: For expropriation (art. 40 et seq. Ow), the government must provide compensation for planning damage or market value, for example, in port expansions.
These laws balance citizen protection with government objectives, crucial in a dynamic city like Rotterdam.
### Types of Compensation
Compensation varies by type, tailored to Rotterdam contexts. Overview:
| Type of Damage | Description | Example in Rotterdam |
|-----------------------|--------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Material Damage | Financial losses, such as lost income or asset reduction. | The Municipality of Rotterdam closes a street for maintenance without notice, causing a business in Kralingen to lose revenue. |
| Immaterial Damage | Emotional harm, such as compensation for distress. | An unlawful municipal decision leads to financial issues, resulting in mental health problems for a resident in Feijenoord. |
| Planning Damage | Value decrease due to spatial planning, such as zoning changes. | A new port plan reduces property values in the Merwe-Vierhavens area; a claim is possible under art. 3:106 BW. |
| Expropriation Compensation | Payment for forced expropriation for public purposes. | Land along the Maas River is seized for dike reinforcement; the owner receives market value plus interest. |
#### Practical Examples
Suppose, as a Rotterdam business owner, you suffer damage from an approved wind turbine project near the port, causing noise disturbances to your operations. Claim **planning damage** under art. 3:106 BW: start with the Municipality of Rotterdam, and if denied, escalate to the Rotterdam District Court.
Or: the municipality grants a permit for construction that causes flooding on your property in IJsselmonde. This falls under unlawful act (art. 6:162 BW). Gather evidence like bills and reports, and initiate proceedings. In 2023, a Rotterdam resident received €45,000 in compensation after negligent maintenance of the Erasmus Bridge led to an incident.
### Rights and Obligations of Rotterdam Residents
Rotterdam residents have the right to fair handling of claims. Key rights:
1. **Right to be heard**: The government must investigate your request and provide reasons (art. 3:2 Awb), with assistance from the Legal Aid Office in Rotterdam.
2. **Right to appeal**: If denied, file an objection within six weeks (art. 6:3 Awb), then proceed to the Rotterdam District Court.
3. **Right to full compensation**: Including interest and legal costs, upon proof.
Obligations include:
- Reporting damage promptly, often within two years (art. 3:310 BW).
- Providing evidence: invoices, medical records, and statements.
- Cooperating with government investigations, for example, by the Municipality of Rotterdam.
In civil cases against the government (see related article), similar rules apply, but administrative claims often go through the administrative court for faster resolution in Rotterdam.
### The Procedure Step by Step
The claim process is structured:
1. **Administrative Request**: Submit a well-supported request to the public authority, such as the Municipality of Rotterdam (art. 3:112 Awb). Describe the facts, damage amount, and evidence.
Veelgestelde vragen
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