Lawyers urge young victims: this year… ‘Sue over bullies’

Alex de Vos
Bullying victims should consider legal action, according to a high-profile Geelong law firm.
A Slater and Gordon spokesperson said the firm would be “more than happy” to take on cases involving bullying.
The spokesperson said the firm had handled bullying cases in the past, usually with success.
The firm processed bullying claims through its personal injury department on a “no win, no fee” arrangement, the spokesperson said.
“If the victim of bullying wants to take legal action then we’re more than happy to take on their enquiry.
“All they have to do is call us, give us their details and we’ll send out a letter with a questionnaire.
“If we take them (bullying claim) on we generally get good results.”
The spokesperson said legal action over bullying seemed to be increasing.
“There have been several high profile cases last year.”
However, the spokesperson suggested victims should consider legal action as a “last resort” after other options for resolution had failed.
In a landmark case last year a court awarded $220,000 to a bullied teenager after he sued the New South Wales state government for negligence.
The teenager successfully argued the state’s Education Department had failed to protect him from bullying.
An older student had harassed and assaulted the 18-year-old when he was at a primary school in the Hunter Valley as a six-year-old. The attacks included an attempted strangulation that left the victim unconscious on the ground.
Geelong bully victim Braden McKay said he would consider suing bullies at his Oberon High School.
“If the bullies’ parents had to pay, it might make them come down harder on their kids,” Mr McKay said.
“When money is taken out of people’s pockets, it hurts.”