Question
Various examples and definitions have been given of nervous shock, including ‘depression’ (Lord Denning in Hinz v Berry [1970] 2 QB 40), and ‘a positive psychiatric illness’ (Lord Bridge in [case] and Lord Oliver in Alcock v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police [1991] 4 All ER 907). A physical illness, sustained after the event in question, and resulting from nervous shock may also form the subject of a claim. Examples of this are a miscarriage (see Bourhill v Young [1943] AC 92), or a heart attack.