Hansen v Bolton

Hansen v Bolton involved a dispute regarding the eligibility of the appellant, Hansen, to receive criminal injuries compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a shooting incident. Hansen, who was present at the scene but not physically injured, sought compensation for secondary victim PTSD. The matter was before the court to determine whether Hansen's claim was barred due to delay in reporting the condition and whether the shooting incident constituted a separate offence that would affect his eligibility for compensation.

The court was required to decide if Hansen's claim for compensation was valid despite the delay in reporting his PTSD symptoms. Additionally, the court needed to determine whether the shooting incident constituted a single offence or multiple offences, as this could impact Hansen's eligibility for compensation. The court had to consider the statutory provisions governing criminal injuries compensation, particularly the requirement for timely reporting of injuries and the definition of "incurring injury".

The court found that Hansen's PTSD was a direct result of the shooting incident and that the delay in reporting did not bar his claim, as there were mitigating circumstances. The court concluded that the shooting incident constituted a single offence, thus not affecting Hansen's eligibility for compensation. The court held that Hansen was entitled to compensation for his secondary victim PTSD. The appeal was allowed, and Hansen was awarded the compensation he sought.