'Mental or nervous shock' in s 20 of the Criminal Offence Victims Act 1995 (Qld) means a recognisable psychiatric illness or disorder, adopting the established meaning from the law of negligence. It does not extend to any abnormal condition of mind or body over and above normal human reaction. Adverse impacts under s 1A of the Criminal Offence Victims Regulation 1995 (Qld) are to be assessed as additional to the specific diagnosed psychiatric condition, not as additional to a broader conception of mental or nervous shock.
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