Paramedic wins six-figure payout for career-ending injuries

A YOUNG paramedic who was unable to work after manoeuvring a heavy patient down stairs has been awarded a six-figure sum by a jury.

A FORMER paramedic has been awarded a six-figure sum following a six-year battle for compensation after suffering career-ending injuries carrying a large patient down stairs.

After a 12-day trial, a County Court jury last week awarded pain and suffering damages to Kristy — who has asked that her surname not be used — for her ongoing hip and back pain.

Kristy’s injuries occurred during her first few days as an ambulance intern.

The now 34-year-old Bulleen mother said she had always wanted to be a paramedic and was devastated she could not continue her ­career as a result of her injuries.

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Kristy encouraged others to raise concerns when an employer or manager asked them to do something they believed was unsafe.

A County Court jury awarded pain and suffering damages to a former paramedic for ongoing hip and back pain after an injury she suffered as an ambulance intern. Picture: Alicia Bee

“While I’ll never be able to work as a paramedic again, it is a relief knowing that my family and I have some more support moving forward,” she said.

“It still bothers me that one decision has forever changed my life, my health and my ­career but it is time for me to move on.”

Kristy’s lawyer, Alisha Muscara from Slater and Gordon, said she was thrilled Kristy had finally received the justice she deserved in relation to a preventable injury, which had had such a devastating impact on her life.

Kristy’s trauma began during a shift in June 2012. While attending to a patient in St Kilda, the young paramedic was asked by a senior colleague to help carry a much larger, 78-year-old patient down two flights of steps to get to the ambulance.

As a result of struggling to get the patient down the extremely narrow and awkward steps, Kristy suffered serious hip and back injuries, which led to further physical and mental complications.

A young paramedic was asked by a senior colleague to help carry a much larger, 78-year-old patient down two flights of steps to get to the ambulance.

Mrs Muscara said the firm had been supporting Kristy since 2014, advocating for her best interests though neg­otiations, conferences and ­mediation.

“We are extremely grateful that the jury has assisted us in finding justice for her after a long hard fight,” Mrs Muscara said. “Kristy has every right to receive this support after an unsafe workplace decision, which had clearly impacted her health.”

Kristy said it was a huge relief to have closure on the ­incident, and she hoped to move on in her life with her young family.

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