Not satisfied with how your personal injury case in Leiden has been handled? There are various options for filing a complaint against insurers, personal injury firms or other involved parties.
Complaints about insurers in Leiden
If you are dissatisfied with the approach of an insurer, you can take several steps.
Internal complaints procedure
Every insurer has its own complaints procedure. This is your starting point.
- Submit your complaint in writing
- Provide a clear description of the problem
- Response period: usually 4-6 weeks
- In case of rejection: consider external complaints routes
Kifid (Financial Services Complaints Institute)
The Kifid handles disputes with financial institutions, including insurers.
Kifid procedure
| Step | Description | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Mediation | Seeking a solution | Approximately 3 months |
| Disputes Committee | Final decision | Approximately 6-12 months |
| Appeal Committee | Possibility of appeal (limited) | Extra 6 months |
Advantages of Kifid
- Accessible and affordable (€50 fee)
- Possibly binding decisions
- No legal representation required
Complaints about personal injury firms in Leiden
You can also file a complaint about your own representative.
Personal injury lawyers
- Firm complaint: start at the law firm itself
- Dean: report your complaint to the Dean of the Bar Association
- Disciplinary proceedings: the Disciplinary Board may take measures
Other personal injury agencies
- Personal Injury Quality Mark: file a complaint with the Personal Injury Quality Mark Foundation
- NIVRE: report your complaint to the Netherlands Institute of Registered Experts
- Civil court: in case of gross negligence
Complaints about medical advisors
For issues with a medical advisor, there are several avenues to pursue.
Possible actions
- Healthcare Disciplinary Tribunal (if BIG-registered)
- Complaint to the instructing party (e.g., insurer)
- GAV (Joint Advisory Committee for Insurance)
Complaints about experts
You can also file a complaint about medical experts or other experts.
Options
- LRGD (National Register of Judicial Experts)
- NVMSR (Dutch Association for Medical Specialist Reporting)
- Disciplinary Tribunal (for doctors)
- Court (in case of objection to a report)
Government agencies for complaints
Certain matters can be submitted to government bodies.
Relevant agencies
| Agency | Type of complaint |
|---|---|
| Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens | Breach of privacy |
| AFM | Conduct of insurers in the market |
| DNB | Financial stability of insurers |
| Nationale Ombudsman | Complaints about government bodies (such as UWV, SVB) |
Court proceedings in Leiden
In serious conflicts, going to court may be necessary. In Leiden, you can go to the District Court of The Hague, Leiden location.
When to start a civil case?
- Liability denied despite evidence
- Unreasonably low settlement offers
- Unacceptable delays
- Negligence by your representative
Practical tips for complaints
- Keep all communication: emails, conversations, agreements
- Pay attention to deadlines and note them
- Formulate your complaint as specifically as possible
- Always start with the internal complaints procedure
- Seek advice on the most suitable complaints route
- Expect longer processing times for procedures
Legal assistance in Leiden
For advice and support, you can contact the Juridisch Loket Leiden, located at Stationsweg 46.
Frequently asked questions about personal injury in Leiden
How can I file a complaint against my insurer?
Start with the insurer's internal complaints procedure. If that does not help, you can go to the Kifid.
What does a complaint at the Kifid cost?
Filing a complaint costs €50. This makes it an accessible option.
What if my personal injury lawyer is not performing well?
First file a complaint with the firm itself. If that yields no result, you can go to the Dean of the Bar Association.
Where can I get legal advice in Leiden?
The Juridisch Loket Leiden at Stationsweg 46 offers free legal advice.
What to do in case of privacy issues in my case?
Contact the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens if you suspect your data has been mishandled.