[Psychological sequelae of accidents. A problem in accident and liability insurance]

Active and successful management predominantly depends on good and trustful cooperation between the claims manager, the field representatives of the administration and the injured or damaged person. Only the early assessment and prompt and purposeful claims handling can minimize the risk of an unexpected claims development. In the early stage, particularly probands with acute psychological maldevelopment can still be helped effectively. The introduction of an adequate therapy is beneficial to the afflicted person and at the same time lowers the final developing costs. As early as in 1918, Horn stated that the early occupational reintegration, apart from granting compensation, positively affects the process of the psychological disturbance. In general, no substantial restriction on the quality of life occurs if the injuries of a physical and mental type have been treated successfully and if occupational reintegration has taken place. However, if a continuous performance loss remains in occupational life due to a chronic psychological disturbance and if the damaged person does not achieve his/her ability to work again, even the contribution of high compensation payments does generally not improve the quality of life.