TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2001//
TI  - Relationship between compensation claims for psychiatric injury and severity of physical injuries from motor vehicle accidents
JO  - Medical journal of Australia
A1  - Large, Matthew M.
SP  - 129
EP  - 132
VL  - 175
IS  - 3
N2  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between compensation claims for psychiatric injury after motor vehicle accidents and physical injuries sustained. DESIGN: Audit of Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance claims. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: 559 consecutive CTP claims referred by NRMA Insurance Limited to its sole provider of CTP legal services during a three-month period in 1994 after the claimant had engaged legal representation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Claim for psychiatric injury (any psychiatric disorder excluding traumatic brain injury) supported by a medicolegal report from a psychiatrist, other medical practitioner or psychologist; pre-existing psychiatric disorders; Injury Severity Score; initial treatment setting; hospital stay; percentage of accidents involving loss of consciousness or a death. RESULTS: 522 claims were eligible for the study; 19.5% (102/522) included a claim for psychiatric injury. A pre-existing depression or anxiety disorder was documented in 11 claims (2.1% of all claims and 3.9% of those claiming psychiatric injury). Only very severe injuries, particularly those involving loss of consciousness, were associated with an increased rate of claims for psychiatric injury. CONCLUSIONS: No association was found between claims for psychiatric injury and severity of physical injuries, except among those most severely injured.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0025-729X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -