Introduction and objective:
The aim of the study is to evaluate the amendment to the Patient Rights and Patient Rights Ombudsman Act, to the extent that it introduces an administrative model for out-of-court settlements of claims related to medical events. The amendment abolished previously existing provincial Medical Events Commissions responsible for adjudicating in medical events. The functioning of these commissions revealed numerous irregularities. The abolition of the commissions was accompanied by the granting by the Patient Rights Ombudsman the authority to issue administrative decisions regarding compensatory benefits. One of the objectives of the study is to analyze the subjective and objective scope of the new regulation. Special attention is paid to the nature of compensatory benefit as an alternative form of compensation for damages and suffering.

Review methods:
The applicable provisions were interpreted, and compared with repealed regulations, literature reviews and legislative materials, and key issues and conclusions presented concerning the functioning of the discussed model in the legal system.

Brief description of the state of knowledge:
The procedure through which the Patient Rights Ombudsman grants such benefits significantly differs from pursuing civil claims through legal proceedings. Its foundations primarily focus on reducing the burden on the applicant in demonstrating the grounds for hospital liability and enhancement of the effectiveness of claim pursuit related to medical events. The discussed model appears to be faster and more efficient than litigation, however, is limited by the scope of its application, as well as the stiffened amounts of compensatory benefits paid.

Summary:
Although the proceedings before the Ombudsman remove imperfections associated with pursuing claims before a provincial commission, some of its limitations are recognized