Stress At Work: A Case Of Retrospective Recollection?

Grimes v City of Sunderland College [2012] was an unusual stress at work case in the County Court, in which DWF acted for the successful Defendant College. The claim focussed upon the Claimant's return to work after two previous breakdowns and her subsequent third breakdown. However, when investigated, it transpired that the Claimant had made an incomplete recovery from the second period of absence and it was held that she had failed to show fault on the part of her employers. The judgment provides a useful restatement of the law and also demonstrates that claimants face considerable difficulties in winning these cases if insurers adopt a robust position. David Drewe draws out the key findings and also highlights a useful practice point for claims handlers.