TORT LAW: PSYCHIATRIC INJURY

Alcock v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire [1992] 1 AC (HL)
Tort Law, Psychiatric Injury Denise Tyson Tort Law, Psychiatric Injury Denise Tyson

Alcock v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire [1992] 1 AC (HL)

What are the facts of the case?

Alcock v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire was a test case which arose out of the Hillsborough disaster which occurred at Hillsborough Football Stadium on April 15th, 1989. It concerned claims brought by friends and relatives of people who were injured or killed at the stadium during the incident. Claimants included parents, brothers, brothers-in-law, and unofficial fiancés.

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Dulieu v White & Sons [1901]        2 KB 669 A Case Summary 
Tort Law, Psychiatric Injury Denise Tyson Tort Law, Psychiatric Injury Denise Tyson

Dulieu v White & Sons [1901] 2 KB 669 A Case Summary 

What are the facts of the case?

The defendant’s servant unintentionally drove a pair-horse van  into a pub. The plaintiff, who was pregnant at the time, was in the pub that the defendant’s servant drove the pair-horse van into. She suffered nervous shock and subsequently gave birth to a premature and disabled baby. 

In the High Court’s King’s Bench, the court had to decide the following:

  1. Was the driver negligent?

If the driver had been negligent, did his negligence cause the plaintiff nervous shock which led to further bodily injury?

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