In Sawyer v Steeplechase Pty Ltd [2024] QSC 142, the plaintiff, Luke Andrew Sawyer, filed a negligence claim against the defendants, Steeplechase Pty Ltd, Joel and Linda Quillan as trustees for the Quillan Family Trust, and Cretek Pty Ltd (in liquidation). The Supreme Court of Queensland, presided over by Crowley J, heard the case.
This case arose from incidents in 2016 and 2017, when Mr Sawyer was employed by the Quillans (second defendants) and sustained back injuries from performing his job of carrying heavy steel mesh sheets at a residential renovation project. His back condition worsened due to a subsequent incident in 2017 when he exacerbated the initial injury, leading to a prolapsed vertebral disc at L5/S1.
The defendants, particularly the Quillans as Mr Sawyer's employers, admitted breaching their duty of care. They were found liable for failing to provide a safe work environment and appropriate risk assessments.
The court ordered judgment in favour of the plaintiff against the Quillans for $781,082.09, covering past and future economic losses, medical expenses, and other damages. The claims against Steeplechase Pty Ltd as the principal contractor and Cretek Pty Ltd in liquidation were dismissed.