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ARTICLE · 02 MAY 2021

The Murder Of George Floyd And Nervous Shock Cases

Gluckstein Lawyers
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With the recent U.S. murder trial in the death of George Floyd, the public has had a direct view into the emotional difficulties faced by bystanders who witnessed the horrific scene.

CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Danielle Barlett
Danielle Barlett
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With the recent U.S. murder trial in the death of George Floyd, the public has had a direct view into the emotional difficulties faced by bystanders who witnessed the horrific scene. This was evident both from the audible pleas by bystanders during the encounter and the moving testimonies of witnesses who took the stand, made available to the general public and widely covered by news sources.

Bystanders or rescuers could face lost income and significant psychological fallout after having witnessed such a traumatic event. Can Canadian bystanders be compensated for nervous shock and other psychological injuries that they might suffer as a result of witnessing a traumatic incident? The answer is yes, but it can be complicated.

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