An interesting decision was handed down by District Court Judge Tutt on 2 June 2006 in the matter of White v Calstores Pty Ltd [2006] QDC 161 regarding the obligation placed on an employer to provide a safe system of work. It is uncertain at this time if an appeal will be lodged by the Defendant.
The Plaintiff claimed injuries namely post traumatic stress disorder, severe depression, and elevated anxiety as a result of an armed robbery. The Plaintiff was awarded damages in the sum of $109,502.25.
Facts
The Plaintiff, Sonja White (aged 36), began working for the Defendant, Calstores Pty Ltd, on 23 March 1998 as a console operator at its Kingston service station. In October 1998 at about 8:00 pm, the Plaintiff was working alone. Whilst serving a regular customer ("W") she saw the sliding glass doors of the shop open and saw two dark figures standing there holding guns. One of the offenders put a rifle to the back of W's head whilst the other offender stood there pointing a pistol
