Liability for Psychiatric Damage to Third Parties in Zoetermeer
In Zoetermeer, a vibrant city in the Randstad with heavy traffic around Stadionplein and Binckhorstlaan, psychiatric damage to witnesses or relatives of accidents (e.g. shock damage from a collision on Rokkeveenseweg) may be compensable under strict conditions of Article 6:106 of the Dutch Civil Code. This includes 'relational damage' or PTSD after directly witnessing an incident, such as a bicycle accident in the city centre.
Conditions for Liability in Zoetermeer
- Close involvement: Partner, child or parent, for example family members who witnessed a collision near Zoetermeer station.
- Serious psychiatric disorder: Diagnosed PTSD or depression, established by a local psychologist in Zoetermeer.
- Direct perception: Damage experienced through one's own eyes or ears, such as in an occupational accident at a construction site in the Seghwaert neighbourhood.
Case Law and Local Practice
Supreme Court rulings limit claims to the close circle of involved parties; compensations typically range between €10,000 and €30,000. In Zoetermeer, similar cases are seen in local traffic accidents or incidents during events at the Forum. In the event of larger disasters, this may be more extensive. File a claim through a personal injury lawyer in Zoetermeer, supported by a psychiatric report from a regional expert.
Challenge in Zoetermeer: Proving causation without physical injury remains difficult, especially at busy locations such as the Waterfront or the N44.