Cox Associates: Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Expertise

Not all accidents will result in psychological trauma, but some events with minimal physical injuries do result in severe psychological harm.

Since the Zeebrugge disaster of 1988, the courts have recognised psychologists' competence to assess and treat accident victims, historically in the role of psychiatrists. Below are some of the areas in which a psychological report can be helpful following personal injury, road traffic accidents & clinical negligence, etc. Cox Associates can assess for:

Case Study

Mr. B had been employed as a groundsman / gardener and in the course of this employment was required to use various chemical substances for maintaining sports grounds and playing fields, such as weed killers and line marking agents. Mr B suffered many and varied physical and psychological symptoms from 1985 onwards, but it was not until 1991 that a link between his symptoms and the chemical he was exposed to at work was suspected. This was because many of his symptoms were acute effects of exposure, and did not persist long enough for thorough medical investigation. However, the results of cumulative exposure led to the development of chronic symptoms and to the termination of his employment on ill health grounds in 1992. Since that time, Mr. B has been unable to return to work in any capacity and he continues to suffer heightened sensitivity to chemicals, including common household cleaning products, with a significant impact (and losses) on the quality of his daily life. More than 10 years post-injury, Mr. B was still fighting to bring a personal injury claim against his former employer.

This was an interesting case because instructing solicitors originally wanted a neuropsychologist to provide a report, and because there was a lack of conclusive medical evidence in support of Mr. B's claim. Instructing solicitors accepted a report from an occupational psychologist specialising in disability, who was able to provide a comprehensive assessment of Mr B's physical and psychological condition, including brain injury, and to conclusively link his symptoms with organophosphate poisoning.