Liability for Psychiatric Damage to Third Parties in Rotterdam
In the bustling port city of Rotterdam, psychiatric damage to witnesses or relatives of accidents, such as shock damage from an incident on the Maas or the Erasmusbrug, may be compensable under strict conditions of Article 6:106 of the Dutch Civil Code. This includes 'affection damage' or PTSD after directly witnessing an accident, for example in a collision in the busy port or a fall in the city.
Conditions for Liability in Rotterdam Context
- Close involvement: Partner, child or parent closely involved with the victim.
- Serious psychiatric disorder: Diagnosed PTSD, depression or anxiety disorder caused by a Rotterdam event.
- Direct perception: Personally experienced through one's own eyes or ears, such as in a traffic accident on the Willemsbrug.
Case Law and Rotterdam Examples
Supreme Court rulings limit claims to the close circle of involved parties; typical compensations range between €10,000 and €30,000. In Rotterdam, this is seen in port accidents or incidents during events such as the Havendagen. In large-scale disasters, comparable to MH17, the circle may be broader. Engage a specialized personal injury lawyer in Rotterdam, supported by a psychiatric report from a local expertise center.
Challenge in Rotterdam: Proving causation without physical injury is difficult, especially with the high work pressure in the logistics sector where witnesses often continue working.