'Disfigured' former cadet sues Melbourne High School
Andrea Petrie
May 22, 2012 - 2:28PM
A former Melbourne High School cadet is suing the South Yarra school and the federal government for negligence after she fainted and fell into an open fire on an army cadet camp resulting in severe injuries.
In a writ lodged in the Victorian Supreme Court, Annie Louey, 18, claims she was enrolled as a member of the Melbourne High Army Cadet Unit on June 22, 2009, when she suffered severe burns and facial disfigurement in the incident.
The selective entry boys' school has some co-curricular programs, including army cadets.
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The writ states the then-16-year-old was attempting to prepare and cook dinner as instructed as part of the army cadet course at Heathcote-Graytown National Park, without adult supervision, when she inadvertently sliced her finger with a knife causing her to faint and fall into an open fire.
"The plaintiff was required to cut a pumpkin with a small pocket knife," the writ states. "In so doing, she sliced her left index finger with the knife, causing her to faint and fall into an open fire."
She suffered deep dermal burns to the left side of her face, left ear, neck and chest, severe facial disfigurement. She also now suffers from anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder and pain, shock and suffering.
"The plaintiff has suffered a degree of physical and psychological impairment... (and) is thereby entitled to institute and maintain this proceeding for general damages for pain and suffering, loss or enjoyment of life and loss of amenities of life," the writ states.
She is seeking damages, interest and costs.
Among the particulars of the case, she claims:
-the school and government failed to supervise her adequately or at all;
-allowed her to conduct a dangerous activity;
-requested or required her to carry out a dangerous activity;
-provided a knife that was insufficient and inadequate for what it was to be used for;
-failed to provide adequate cooking utensils;
-failed to supervise a large open fire during the course;
-failed to provide any or any adequate means of lighting such that cooking activities could be conducted safely; and,
-failed to exercise due care and skill in the care, control and management of the course.
The school and government is yet to lodge their defence with the court.
Read more:
www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/disfigured-former-cadet-sues-melbourne-high-school-20120522-1z2l5.htmlI actually think she should get a healthy settlement.
However it should be a healthy out of court settlement, or ex gratia payment.
FFS, you are camping, you need to improvise with what you have.... That's one of the many things you do when you go camping. You can't sue the school and government for poor use of a cutting instrument.... Take responsibility for own farking actions!!
A decision in favour of this "unfortunate girl" could SPELL THE END of FUN & SCHOOL CAMPS !!
I agree she deserves a considerable cash settlement from The Crown though. On face value (no puns!
), and the assumption that the article is of course factual.
Depending on the amount of facial disfigurement, I would actually place this value up around $100k-$500k. Facial disfigurement for a young girl would be absolutely awful for her, especially if she was already blessed with the looks.
