Daughter laments over mum's 'devastating' condition after working in this facility

Whenever we hear stories about community heroes, disability support workers are often at the top of the list.

They dedicate their lives to helping some of the most vulnerable people, providing care, comfort, and dignity.

What happens when the system lets down the people who care for others?


That's the heartbreaking reality for one former disability support worker.

Formerly a healthy mum of two, her life turned upside down after being exposed to appalling work conditions.

The mum, who refused to be identified, worked for Woodbine, a not-for-profit organisation supporting people with intellectual disabilities in Warracknabeal.

She was known for her dedication and has often gone the extra mile for her clients.


compressed-pexels-sick healthcare worker.jpeg
The woman faced several complications after being exposed to toxic conditions. Image Credit: Pexels/Michelle Leman


In late 2019, her commitment led her into a situation that would change her life forever.

While accompanying a client to the local hospital for several days, she was exposed to other patients with respiratory illnesses.

Soon after, she fell ill. After three weeks off sick, she returned to work—only to be sent into homes described as 'filthy', with urine and faeces on the floors.

'Mum didn't want to be rude,' the woman's daughter lamented.

'Woodbine was aware of the circumstances but there was nothing put in place to protect mum at all.'


The unsanitary conditions took a toll on the woman.

The worker developed a chest infection and pleurisy, or inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest cavity.

Her health continued to deteriorate, and by March 2020, she was hospitalised and lost her voice completely.

Doctors diagnosed her with vocal cord dysfunction caused by recurrent infections.

The infections included a particularly stubborn form of pneumonia.

Six years on, she still could not speak for more than a few minutes at a time.

The woman has been living in constant pain and has relied on heavy medication throughout the day.


The woman's daughter stated that her mum's condition had a 'devastating' impact on their family.

She has been unable to work since her injury, and the financial strain has been significant.

'Day-to-day is pretty up and down,' her daughter shared.

'Mum was so passionate and caring for her clients. They were always treated as so much more than a job.'

'They were mum's world; she loved her job. It's just been really tough,' she added.

With the help of Shine Lawyers, the former support worker started seeking justice for her condition.

'There was no risk assessment when they sent her to the hospital,' Shine Lawyers' senior associate Nehad Elmassry stated.

'She complained about the environment the patients were in, and they still sent her.'

'She complained the patients were unwell, they told her, "Go do your job". Her condition continued to get worse. No one expects to go to work and lose your voice for the rest of your life.'


She has been receiving WorkCover payments at 80 per cent of her previous salary for over five years.

Yet, she has applied for a serious injury certificate to seek further compensation for her pain and economic loss.

The claim could amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially if she is unable to work again.

'The goal of the claim is more to be recognised, to be shown that what happened wasn't fair,' her daughter concluded.

'This has been a really lengthy process, and ultimately, she just really wants it to come to an end.'

The woman's case highlighted the need for robust workplace safety standards, especially in the care sector.

Her story should be a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who care for others—and the urgent need to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
Key Takeaways

  • A former disability support worker allegedly lost her voice after being exposed to filthy, unsafe conditions while working for a not-for-profit aged care organisation.
  • She developed severe respiratory illness leading to vocal cord dysfunction after working in environments with sick clients.
  • The woman, previously healthy and unable to work since her injury, has struggled with ongoing pain and financial hardship.
  • Legal action has been underway for further compensation, and a settlement is being sought to acknowledge the harm suffered and provide for her condition and economic loss.
Have you or someone you know experienced unsafe work conditions in the care sector? What should be done to protect frontline workers more? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
 

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Can you imagine any of our politicians going to work in those conditions? Nobody should have to and then to have to fight so hard for fairness, again it just makes your blood boil. The added stress only adds to the physical illness. Whwt sort of country are we that allows this type of thing to happen over and over again. And at the end of the day the lawyer will probably get more of the money than the victim. Wrong on so many levels.
 
Yes, the lawyer will get their whack out of it but people seem to forget that lawyers have very high overheads and. without lawyers these peopke would get nothing.
In this ladies circumstance I would be more than happy to pay the lawyer to get the settlement.
People perhaps don't realise that when the settlement amount is calculated the lawyers fees are included in this calculation. In other words, if you didn't have a lawyer the settlement amount would be less, if in fact you were lucky enough to get one.
 
But that is where the system is wrong, you should not need a lawyer and have to fight so hard for what you are entitled to in the first place. And you hear in some cases the victims get very little in comparison to the lawyers bill.
 
But that is where the system is wrong, you should not need a lawyer and have to fight so hard for what you are entitled to in the first place. And you hear in some cases the victims get very little in comparison to the lawyers bill.
I understand what you are saying but the lawyers bill will always be extremely high, irregardless of the severity of the claim.
That is why when the person's injury is considered to be less disabling. etc their payout could be less than their attorneys fee.
You can go to court without a lawyer but I would guarantee, unless you have a really good education and are able to put your case forward clearly and concisely, your chances will be much slimmer.
Sometimes just a wrong word or statement can make a big difference.
That is why you pay a lawyer.
 
How was this home allowed to keep operating with urine & faeces on the floors?

Was the woman the only one to complain about the horrid conditions?

Were there no cleaners at the home?

This home should have been reported to the Human Rights Commission.

Last of all….. is this home still operating?
 
The system is stuffed and it leaves me speechless, the most vulnerable are being neglected, that includes the poorly paid workers. And yet there is big money made by the aged care oganisations and also the law firms that take on or (sometimes don`t take on victims) for compensation. Where is "big brother" when you need it, hiding somewhere??.
 
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