£89K for TSSA suicide witness

November 6th, 2012
Morrish Solicitors
Personal Injury

A Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association member who witnessed a suicide on a major UK metro system has been awarded £89,000 compensation by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority after taking early retirement as a direct result of her ordeal.

The member, who had been with her employer for over 20 years, suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and was unable to return to work despite undergoing regular counselling.

Although her employer offered an alternative office-based position, the member opted for early retirement, feeling that she could not face a repeat of the situation. A decade earlier, the member had been involved in the aftermath of another suicide which had traumatised her, but after undergoing counselling she was able to return to work.

As the member was taking early retirement, her TSSA rep told her about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and advised that she apply to be compensated for her loss of earnings.

Speaking earlier today, the member said “I had no idea I could do any claim at all. If my rep hadn’t mentioned it, I’d never have known. I am grateful to TSSA for their help, and this is one of the big benefits of belonging to TSSA. I am speaking out about my situation in the hope that it might help someone else in similar circumstances who, like me, might not know that their union can help them. I do appreciate what Dominic, my solicitor, has done. I still have not had closure on the whole experience, but this award will help me to cope financially while I move on with my life.”

Solicitor Dominic Hughes said “Although in these situations there is no legal redress available against an employer or other parties, there is thankfully some limited compensation available through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. The amounts payable by the CICA are significantly lower than they would otherwise be if the case was litigated through the County Court. It is to be hoped that all TSSA members are made aware that such legal services are available through their trade union.”