A NURSE is suing an NHS Trust for the “psychiatric injury” she sustained after the death of her pregnant sister due to an undiagnosed brain bleed.

Julie Shorter’s case against Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust was heard by the High Court this week.

Mrs Shorter’s sister Lucia Sharma, 39, died at East Surrey Hospital in May of 2009 while she was expecting her third child.

Mrs Sharma suffered a brain haemorrhage which was not identified by the hospital on a brain scan.Her sister’s death reportedly hit Mrs Shorter, 52, from Burgess Hill, like a “sledgehammer blow”.

The hospital trust has admitted negligence regarding her death and has already paid out compensation claim to the family.

Philippa Luscombe, the solicitor representing Mrs Shorter, said: “The reason Mrs Shorter brought this claim was primarily to obtain damages to fund treatment for her condition.

“She is a brave lady who has supported her sister's family and been determined to keep on working despite the day to day reminders that her job causes of what happened. She seeks only to get damages to fund treatment she needs to keep on supporting so many others.”

Ms Lucscombe said it has been “accepted” by the High Court that Mrs Shorter, who works for the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, suffered a psychiatric injury.

The debate is if events over a period of time and not witnessed faced hand can fit the criteria for damages.

She said: “The case is really at trial on a matter of legal principle about recovery of damages for someone who is not directly injured by someone’s negligence but suffers psychiatric injury from witnessing the effects – a secondary victim.

“There is little dispute on the facts or on the impact upon Mrs Shorter.”

Mrs Shorter’s case saw its final day in the high court yesterday and decision is expected in the coming weeks.

A spokeswoman for Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said they were unable to comment on the ongoing case.