A Practical Guide to Psychiatric Claims in Personal Injury - Third Edition

This textbook seeks to demystify the complex legal framework that surrounds psychiatric injury claims by providing clear and accessible explanations of the governing legal principles, together with practical guidance. It examines the principles governing psychiatric injury claims, including diagnosis, duties of care, foreseeability, causation, and the distinctions between primary and secondary victims. The book also covers claims arising from workplace stress, intentional acts and the differing methods and approaches that can be taken when quantifying damages. Whether you are a legal professional, academic, or student, this book aims to be an indispensable resource for anyone navigating the complexities of psychiatric injury claims, providing an accessible insight into the ever evolving intersection of law and mental health. CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. Claims in Negligence and Psychiatric Injury 3. Diagnosis 4. Nervous Shock 5. Primary Victims Involving Physical Injury 6. Primary Victims Where There Is No Physical Injury: Pure Nervous Shock Claims 7. Rescuers and Involuntary Participants 8. Secondary Victims 9. Stress at Work Claims: An Overview 10. The Hatton Guidelines 11. Stress at Work Claims and Foreseeable Harm 12. Stress at Work and the Breach of Duty of Care 13. Stress at Work Claims and Bullying 14. Breach of Contract in Stress at Work Claims 15. Causation and Apportionment in Stress Claims 16. The Equality Act 2010 in Stress Claims 17. Other Tortious Acts 18. Quantum and Evidence 19. General Damages 20. Special Damages 21. Triage Checklist