Health & Safety Executive research indicates that about half a million people in the UK experience work-related stress at a level they believe is making them ill and up to 5 million people in the UK feel "very" or "extremely" stressed by their work. Other research suggests up to 1 in 4 people feel they have been bullied at work and this rises to 1 in 3 in some professions, such as teaching.

Work-related stress is estimated to cost society about £3.7 billion every year (at 1995/6 prices) but the cost to the health of an individual can be immeasurable in monetary terms. Those unfortunate enough to be subjected to a constant flow of excessive work or to be the target of a serial bully can suffer catastrophic mental breakdown leading to the permanent loss of their health, career and sometimes even family.

To add insult to injury, the law courts still view claims for psychiatric injury with a high degree of suspicion and treat them differently to physical personal injury claims. Consequently, it is more difficult to succeed in such claims and to secure representation.

At RWPS Law we have a proven track record of fighting occupational stress claims successfully and of setting important precedents in the field. Since 2001 when we secured the first major award of damages for the victim of a 'first breakdown' in Long -v- Mercury Communications  we have continued to be at the forefront of developments in psychiatric injury claims especially those resulting from bullying. 

As specialist harassment lawyers with a wealth of experience and expertise in this difficult area of practice you can be assured that we will be able to give clear and authoritative advice about a claim and to prosecute that claim to best advantage.

If you have been the target of bullying or harassment, click here for more guidance. If you have suffered illness as a result of an excessive or unsuitable workload and would like an initial review of your case then please complete the online questionnaire and return this by post or email. We will also need replies - as best you can - to the various questions and sight of any supporting documents (please supply copies by post not email).  We no longer offer a fixed fee service for this but will give you a firm quotation for the cost of reviewing your case on receipt of the papers.

Assuming you ask us to proceed, we will report back to you as soon as we can to advise on the merits of your case, the remedies which may be available and the terms on which we would able to represent you. Wherever possible we offer favourable terms of representation but owing to the nature of these cases please note it is very unlikely we will be able to offer 'No Win, No Fee' terms. Please refer to the costs page for more information about costs generally and click here for more specific information about the likely costs in occupational stress cases.