News

Backpacker falls ill following insufficient work safety precautions

 

I decided to take a break from my studies last year and instead travel through the West
Australian outback, going to work on a rural farm. However, while I was working there, I
wasn’t given any advice, instructions or appropriate protective gear to deal with the harsh
Australian climate, which I was unfamiliar with.

I worked outside in the sun without a hat, sunscreen or any UV-protective clothing. With no
safety instructions and no implemented employee safety and wellbeing standards, it wasn’t
long until I became ill. I felt weak and sick and had to stay in my room for days, hoping it was
just exhaustion. Unfortunately, I was not recovering, and I had to go to a hospital. I was then
transferred between hospitals, until I eventually ended up at Royal Perth Hospital, where I
was placed on dialysis for weeks.

As a result of the incident I had Rhabdomyolysis, which led to kidney failure, muscle wasting
as well as psychological conditions. Dealing with the medical treatment and the financial
costs was very difficult. I didn’t feel that what happened to me was fair. I thought the
company I worked with and stayed at had a duty of care to me. I also didn’t think it was fair
that I had to pay for all of the medical costs. I wasn’t sure if there was anything I could do.

I contacted Prof Dr Gerhard Janssen, who immediately said he would represent me. Initially,
I wasn’t sure how I would get compensation or how the Australian legal system works, but
Prof Dr Janssen listened to what happened and explained how we could move forward.
Thanks to everyone’s work at Janssen + Maluga Legal, we settled for more than double what
I initially expected. The compensation I was awarded especially assisted with the expensive
medical costs resulting from the incident. Additionally, I received compensation for my loss
of earnings.

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