Bird v DP (A pseudonym) - High Court of Australia 2024 The High Court has delivered its judgment in this case, which has been eagerly awaited by lawyers, institutions and insurers involved in the abuse law space. This decision of the High Court in this case will extensively impact the rights of abuse survivors. [...]
The respondent, Ms Marmara, was injured when a heavy oversized box containing a mountain bike fell on her from another customer’s standard size shopping trolley at a Kmart store in Woy Woy. Ms Mamara was at the self-serve checkout, when the large box toppled onto her from behind, from another shoppers trolley. Ms Marmara brought [...]
Childhood sexual abuse can have long-lasting effects on survivors, including an increased risk of experiencing domestic violence in adulthood. The connection between childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence is complex and multifaceted, with several factors contributing to this link. Many survivors of childhood sexual abuse are at a higher risk of experiencing domestic violence later [...]
Author – Wendy Lee, paralegalSydney Compensation Specialists RJ bht RPC v State of New South Wales This is an interesting case which considered the liability of a school for sexual abuse perpetrated by an older student upon on a younger student within a disability support unit. What are the facts of the case?The 13 year [...]
Childhood sexual abuse can have long-lasting effects on an individual's mental health, with anxiety disorders being amongst the most common consequences of abuse. In Australia, efforts are being made to address and treat anxiety and other conditions arising from childhood sexual abuse, in an effort to provide support and healing for survivors.Anxiety is a natural [...]
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. In our practice we tend to see individuals develop PTSD in response to a traumatic accident and of quite often in response to childhood sexual abuse.Symptoms of PTSD can manifest in various ways [...]
This case involves an interesting factual situation whereby a Plaintiff was injured in a children’s playground. Hornsby Shire Council (the Council) was responsible for the care, control, inspection, management and maintenance of Lessing Playground within Lessing Park in Hornsby. Located in the playground was a swing set, on a blue wet pour surface (the wet [...]
Childhood sexual abuse is a traumatic experience and has far-reaching effects on survivors. One of the significant consequences that may arise from such abuse is the development of addiction to drugs and alcohol. The link between childhood sexual abuse and substance abuse is complex and multifaceted, and understanding this connection is crucial for providing effective [...]
EMDR therapy, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a specialised form of psychotherapy that is widely used in the treatment of survivors of childhood sexual abuse. This therapy approach has been found to be highly effective in helping survivors heal from the trauma they have experienced and move towards a healthier and [...]
The Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 (MAIA) in NSW introduced significant changes to the compensation scheme for motor vehicle accidents. One crucial aspect of the MAIA is the concept of “threshold” and “non-threshold” injuries. The purpose of the threshold is to differentiate between minor injuries and more severe injuries, which warrant additional support and compensation. [...]