McLoughlin v O’Brian [1983] 1 A.C. 410

Facts:

  • A mother arrived at the hospital two hours after her family had been injured in a car accident and the shock of what she saw led to severe psychological illness.


 Issue:

  • HoL to determine the nature and extent of the duty owed by the defendant to persons whom his action might cause psychiatric damage.


 Ratio:

  • HoL found in favour of McLoughlin, that the nervous shock was reasonably foreseeable.

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