Taxpayers facing multi-million dollar payout

ASYLUM seekers are suing Aussie taxpayers for millions of dollars after what they claim is the trauma of living in detention centres.

ASYLUM seekers are suing Australian taxpayers after what they claim is the trauma of detention centres.

Among those seeking big payouts are Iranian Mehrnoosh Yousefi, whose husband Parviz rose to prominence for sewing his lips together and attempting suicide several times while in detention at Woomera from 2001-2004.

Mr Yousefi was reportedly awarded damages in 2008 of more than $800,000.

The Herald Sun has confirmed with legal and medical sources that scores of past and present detainees are preparing claims against the Australian Government and detention-centre operators.

Dr Zachary Steel, senior lecturer in psychiatry at the University of NSW, said he had been told of multiple lawsuits.

He said he had also heard discussions of "class actions involving numerous former detainees".

Dr Steel said the main basis of most lawsuits was psychiatric harm because of traumas experienced in detention, including exposure to riots, self-harm and, in some cases, allegations of mistreatment by fellow inmates and operators.

But there are also cases in which harrowing events have resulted in physical injury, pain and suffering.

Mrs Yousefi has lodged a claim on behalf of herself and her son in NSW's Supreme Court against four parties, including the Commonwealth and detention centre operator G4S.

Slater & Gordon's medical law boss, Bill Madden, said the pair had claimed the circumstances of their detention "resulted in serious psychological damage to them".

"The circumstances complained of include matters giving rise to mental health impacts, the use of excessive force on occasion, and inadequate access to education," he said.

Mr Yousefi suffered horrifying experiences after being separated from his wife and son while in detention, resulting in his acts of self-harm.

Mrs Yousefi was quoted in 2008 as saying her husband would never work again and would require medical care for the rest of his life.

In many instances, such as that of the Yousefis, detainees have since been found to have legitimate refugee status and have been allowed to become full Australian residents.

But psychological scars inflicted during their time in detention have left many unable to work.