Thousands of Victorians continue fight for Covid justice

Three out of four of Victoria’s Covid-related class actions remain ongoing five years on from the pandemic as thousands seek damages over the alleged unlawfulness of lockdowns and hotel quarantine failings.

Three out of four of the state’s Covid-related class actions remain on foot five years on from the coronavirus crisis.

Since January 2020, when the first case of Covid was confirmed in Melbourne, thousands of Victorians have launched legal action, seeking damages over the alleged unlawfulness of lockdowns and failures of the hotel quarantine system.

Victorians have launched legal action, seeking damages over the alleged unlawfulness of lockdowns and failures of the hotel quarantine system. Picture: Jason Edwards

A class action involving more than 1000 business owners who suffered losses as a result of the restrictions is set for a Supreme Court trial in February next year.

A class action involving more than 1000 business owners who suffered losses as a result of the restrictions is set for a Supreme Court trial next year. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

They claim the government was negligent and that its mismanagement of the hotel quarantine program led to the second lockdown, which decimated their businesses.

Victorian families whose loved ones died in the Covid outbreaks at aged-care facilities Heritage Care Epping Gardens and St Basil’s in Fawkner are also continuing their fight for compensation.

Victorian families whose loved ones died in the Covid outbreaks at aged-care facilities are continuing their fight for compensation. Picture: David Crosling

Fifty St Basil’s residents, and a further 38 at Heritage Care, died amid the second outbreak in July and August, 2020.

John Karantzis from Carbone Lawyers, who is representing the families of the residents who died, said they were not expecting the matters to be listed for hearing in the Supreme Court until next year.

He said his clients – about 80 people – had their claims for psychiatric nervous shock referred to the medical panel for review late last year.

Loved ones of those who died in Epping Gardens Aged Care Facility have brought a class action by Carbone Lawyers. Picture: David Caird

“That’s put massive strain on the medical panel system,” Mr Karantzis said. “The medical panel will determine over the next six months whether they meet the threshold for pain and suffering damages.

“Our clients look forward to their day before the medical panel so they can tell their story on how the loss of their loved ones has severely affected them.”

The class actions are also open to the families of residents who survived, but suffered injuries during the ordeal. Many of the residents were allegedly neglected and starved, after regular aged care staff contracted the virus and were stood down, and inexperienced nurses were brought in to help.