Child sexual abuse and exploitation of power in Australian schools
The 2024 sentencing of WA teacher Nicholas Visser, for child sexual abuse crimes, exposes the dark reality of individuals entrusted with the well-being and education of students. This blog explores the impact of child sexual abuse on victims and the compensation avenues available.
Bail applications in Queensland
If charged with a criminal offence in Queensland, prior to your matter going to trial you may seek bail. Bail is a promise, or an undertaking, that you will return to court on a set date and abide by certain conditions. Read more about applications, conditions that may be set, variations and breaches.
I was injured at work in NSW but my employer is uninsured, what now?
It’s compulsory for all employers in NSW, unless they’re considered an “exempt employer”, to have worker's compensation insurance. So, what happens if your employer is not “exempt” from holding worker's compensation insurance and you are injured at work?
Can employees be dismissed for their conduct outside of work hours?
Absent specific circumstances being established, employers have no right to control their employees’ conduct outside of work. However, if an employee’s out of work conduct has a significant and adverse effect on their employment, then an employer may be able to take disciplinary action, which may include termination of employment.
Benefits of contemporaneous notes in legal proceedings
If you’re in a dispute that may end up in legal proceedings, contemporaneous file notes can be used as documentary evidence to corroborate direct oral evidence of a fact. They can be extremely useful in a variety of different situations, including disciplinary, bullying or discrimination issues in the workplace.
Drug diversion in Queensland
In criminal law matters in Queensland, there are two drug types of drug diversion. One is court ordered drug diversion and the other is police drug diversion. We explore the differences between the two.
Increased protection for temporary migrant workers
The Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2024 received royal assent on 20 February 2024 and commences from 1 July 2024. These changes are being introduced to try to curb temporary migrant worker exploitation and hold employers who conduct themselves this way accountable.
NSW worker’s compensation win after dog attack while working from home
This case seems to confirm that the Personal Injury Commission NSW will more than likely consider taking a broad view of an injury arising out of the course of employment and employment being a substantial contributing factor when an injury occurs while working from home.
Closing Loopholes sees significant changes to the Fair Work Act from December 2023
In December 2023, the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023 received royal assent, which will see significant changes to the Fair Work Act. The various changes will take effect at different times from December 2023 through to 2025. None of the changes will operate retrospectively.
Asbestos compensation claims in Queensland
Asbestos compensation is not limited to people exposed at work. You may have been exposed in the family home, other private dwelling or a public place. However, in this article, we are going to focus on the compensation options for workers who were exposed to asbestos dust and fibres in the course of their employment.
Nurse awarded $1.6 million compensation after violent patient assault
The 2023 decision in Wilson v Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service sheds light on the employer's duty of care to its employees and the consequences of failing to meet that duty, particularly in high-pressure environments like healthcare. We dissect the facts, findings, and implications of this significant case which resulted in a worker's compensation common law damages award of over $1.6 million to the injured worker.
Your guide to worker’s compensation claims in Queensland
If you sustain a workplace injury in Queensland, in the midst of undertaking medical treatment and rehabilitation, there is the added stress of navigating the world of worker’s compensation claims. In this article, we provide a simple, yet comprehensive guide for injured workers in Queensland.