The blasting work for Stockholm's new subway has caused so many and so great material damages for property owners and entrepreneurs that it has generated 371 claims for damages against the principal Region Stockholm.
It is above all the expansion towards Arenastaden in Solna as well as works in Hagastaden and Vasastan that have caused the confirmed damages.
This is reported by Mitti, who has compiled a list of the cases received between 2020 and 2026.
Result: Region Stockholm has rejected 93 percent of the applications. Among other things, a claim of one billion kroner from a property owner in the area. Another actor demanded SEK 100 million in compensation, but that demand was also rejected.
In total, compensation claims of SEK 1.15 billion have been received. So far, 23 cases have been approved and SEK 1.035 million paid out, according to Mitti's compilation.
The difficulty lies in proving that the damage has actually been caused by the subway construction.
- The explosions have caused ground subsidence under the properties which has led to some of the damage, which is very unusual, says Emma Sahlman, press officer at the Administration for the Expanded Underground, FUT, to Mitti.
The 23 approved compensations include property repairs and damaged property, but rarely cover any loss of income for affected businesses.
For restaurateur Darko Stankovic, it has had major consequences. A wall in his Italian restaurant was pushed in, a wine fridge was completely destroyed and wine bottles worth SEK 154,000 hit the floor and broke in an explosion.
- It was a disaster. Carpentry, everything fell down, he tells DN.
He was forced to close the restaurant for 26 days and carry out major renovations. He was first offered 200,000 kroner and told to sue the city if he wanted more.
- As if we could afford a lawyer and win against Region Stockholm? So, really, it makes me so angry, he says.
He does not know how much money he has lost, but it is many hundreds of thousands of kroner more than the 400,000 kroner he has received so far in compensation.
- The explosions continued when we opened again. Many guests who came left after the appetizer because of the discomfort. Of course they demanded the money back, says Darko Stankovic.
At the beginning of the summer when he came to work, the entire entrance had been blocked off due to the construction of the subway and he - and the customers who found their way there - had to enter through a back door.
- Not a sound from Region Stockholm, no warnings, nothing. I think it's deplorable. Then we were late with the VAT payments because we didn't have any money - then the city threatened to revoke our alcohol license. I can't put into words how angry I am.
In addition to the restaurateur's compensation, two condominium associations on Torsgatan and Karlbergsvägen have received a total of SEK 530,000 for cracks in walls, ceilings and floors. Otherwise, these are smaller sums for elements that came loose, a front door that was damaged and a smashed Apple Watch that was charging at a restaurant on Dalagatan when a wine bottle fell on it.
According to the Administration for the Expanded Subway, FUT, the region intends to repair all the damage caused by the construction, which means that the final cost to the region will likely rise. About thirty cases are still being investigated.
- The basic rule is that you get compensation for what you can show evidence for, says Emma Sahlman to Mitti.
Darko Stankovic wishes he had the money - and time - to hire a lawyer.
- Then I would sue Region Stockholm, without a doubt. I know I have the law on my side. We have fought for our livelihood and our dream and intend to continue to do so.
