THE HAGUE, Wednesday - Netherlands Rail (NS) is liable for the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSS) that a staff member suffered due to systematic aggression from NS clients. NS must pay him damages.

The man was a conductor on NS trains. He regularly encountered violence and aggression. After he was spat at in the train in November 1999, he called in sick. After two years off sick, he was dismissed and declared job-disabled. Doctors diagnosed PTSS.

A district court in Utrecht considers NS took insufficient measures to prevent aggression in trains, and also offered the 50 year old man too little support after incidents. As well as violence against him, he was also confronted more than once with the results of suicides by people jumping in front of the train.

The man is demanding compensation for all material and immaterial injury. The judge ruled that NS is indeed liable, but has not yet fixed the size of the compensation. NS may appeal against the verdict.