NERVOUS SHOCK COMPENSATION CLAIM LAWYERS IN WOLLONGONG

Nervous shock refers to a psychological injury or mental illness caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. It can occur following incidents like motor vehicle accidents, where an individual suffers severe distress due to the shock of the event. This condition typically results from someone else's intentional or negligent actions.

A nervous shock claim can be made by individuals who directly experience or witness a traumatic event, such as a motor vehicle accident, and suffer a recognised psychiatric injury as a result. In addition, people with a close relationship to the victim may be eligible to claim, even if they weren’t present at the incident.

Those eligible include:

• Parents or legal guardians of the victim
• Spouses or de facto partners of the victim
• Children, stepchildren, or those for whom the victim is a guardian
• Siblings, including step-siblings and half-siblings

If any of these close family members experience psychiatric injury, they may be entitled to compensation.

Compensation for nervous shock claims may cover:

• Medical and treatment expenses
• Loss of wages due to the inability to work
• Costs related to domestic and personal care
• Pain and suffering, including loss of enjoyment of life, if the psychiatric injury is severe

Compensation is divided into statutory benefits, which cover ongoing expenses like medical bills and care, and common law damages, which provide lump sum payments for severe pain, suffering, and income loss.

Yes, there is a three-year time limit from the date of the incident to start court proceedings for a nervous shock claim. Because proving these cases can be tough, you must seek legal advice as soon as possible. It’s also important to prove that the psychiatric injury was directly caused by the traumatic event and provide medical evidence to support the claim.