Reviewed case brief

Wilkinson v. Downton

[1897] 2 QB 57

[1897] 2 QB 57 · Queen's Bench Division (England)

nervous-shockintentional-inflictionpsychiatric-injury
Court
Queen's Bench Division (England)
Year
1897
Subjects
Law of Torts
Reviewed
2026-08-02

Rule established

Deliberate conduct calculated to cause, and which does cause, psychiatric or physical harm through nervous shock is actionable, independent of physical contact.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        [1897] 2 QB 57

        Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.