Workplace accident or professional negligence in Hungary? English-speaking criminal defence lawyer
Many foreign nationals work in Hungary in construction, industry or transport. After a workplace accident with injuries, the site manager, the health and safety officer or even the worker can face criminal investigation. The outcome often depends on expert opinions.
Dr. László-Tamás Benő: +36 70 379 0245 (0–24)
What does Hungarian law say?
The offence (Section 165 of the Hungarian Criminal Code) is the negligent breach of a professional rule (for example a health and safety rule) that directly endangers someone else’s life or health or causes injury.
What penalty can you face?
- Basic offence: up to 1 year
- Permanent disability or mass accident: up to 3 years
- Death: 1 to 5 years
- More than two deaths: 2 to 8 years
The court may also ban the offender from practising the profession. For offences against life, physical integrity and health, traffic offences and offences against property (misdemeanours, or felonies punishable by up to 3 years), admitting the offence before indictment and compensating the victim through mediation accepted by the victim can lead to no punishment at all; for offences punishable by up to 5 years the sentence can be reduced without limit (Section 29). This does not apply, among others, to repeat offenders, offences committed in a criminal organisation, or where the offence caused death.
What should you do now?
- Do not make a statement without a lawyer.
- Ask for an interpreter in your own language.
- Ask for copies of the official records and call us before the interview.
- If a family member has been detained in Hungary, find out where they are being held and call us immediately.
How we help
- We explain every document and every step of the procedure in English
- Establishing which professional rule applied and whether it was breached
- Checking the expert opinions and the causal link
- Clarifying responsibility within the workplace hierarchy
- Representation during the investigation and in court
Frequently asked questions
Can the worker also be investigated?
Yes, if they breached a professional rule. Often several people are investigated.
Which documents are important?
The job description, health and safety training records, the risk assessment and the instructions received.
I live abroad. Who will try my case?
An offence committed in Hungary is dealt with by the Hungarian authorities. We can represent you and keep you informed in English.
Call us now, day or night
Dr. László-Tamás Benő: +36 70 379 0245
Office: Falk Miksa utca 4, mezzanine 4, 1055 Budapest (by appointment only)
See also: Detained or arrested in Hungary · Hungarian version