In the Netherlands court, the legal fees were sub 1k, and the decision happened less than 2 months from the filing.
Regardless, it would certainly be much more expensive in the US, where decent lawyers are hundreds or thousands an hour.
It’s not unlikely the employee from the article used their services, even if just initially.
It's not perfect but reasonably strong regulation of consumer insurance means that if you have problems with e.g the decision made, there is an independent organisation who can review the case for you.
You usually have to use a law firm which has an arrangement with the insurer, or one who will accept the lower rates the insurers have negotiated but again if you feel there is an issue with the quality on offer you can make a complaint.
I presume something similar is offered in NL.
Case law is a thing in civil law systems too, it is just not binding on the judges except special occasions.
He spent time himself researching the law and going through the process, but he can't claim for that
