Psychiatric Injury Compensation Claims

It is commonplace for the victim of an accident to suffer not just physical injury but also psychiatric damage. A claim for compensation can be made in relation to these injuries.

Psychiatric Injury – Compensation Claim

It must be proved that the Claimant has sustained a “recognisable psychiatric illness” caused by the Defendant’s negligence or breach of duty. A recognised illness is more than just distress or grief and/or other emotions, it is an needs to be recognised as a positive illness by a psychiatrist.

Types of Psychiatric Injury Claim

1. Accidents at Work Compensation Claims
   Where an accident victim has sustained an accident at work it is possible that the incident may have been so traumatic as to leave the Claimant with a psychiatric illness, commonly where victims have suffered traumatic injuries or indeed narrow escapes from death, it is not unusual to see some associated psychiatric problems form as a direct result, for example if a scaffolder falls from a high gantry or a coalminer is trapped underground.
2. Road Traffic Compensation Claims
   It is extremely commonplace for a victim of a road traffic accident to suffer some degree of post accident trauma. At the lowest level this can manifest itself as a fear of driving or a tendency to drive very carefully. At the higher end a victim can find themselves suffering with almost debilitating symptoms and unable to drive or even sit as a passenger.

Injury Compensation

In general, damages depend on the degree of suffering and also the prognosis. The Judicial Studies Board Guidelines show that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder may be worth upwards of £2,000.00. However the most severe claim could be worth in excess of £60,000.00. In addition to this if the illness has prevented the victim from working or has required specialist care then damages will take these losses into account.

If you or anybody that you know has suffered psychiatric damage as a result of an accident within the last 3 years then it may be possible to make a claim for compensation. This will depend on the facts and as such we recommend that you contact us via the Claim Assessment Form so that one of our qualified claims solicitors can confirm that you have a valid case for compensation and therefore assess your claim.

Please note that all of our solicitors act on a strictly no win no fee basis and that you will receive 100% of any damages that you may be awarded.

	Please select from the drop-down list for a free assessment by a specialist injury solicitor. Please select Accident at Work Industrial Disease Medical Negligence Road Traffic Accident Slip/Trip/Fall