New figures released under freedom-of-information laws have put a number on something our Sexual Abuse team sees the human cost of every day: peer-on-peer sexual abuse in schools is far more common than most people realise, and it appears to be rising. What the data shows Victorian state schools recorded 2645 “concerning incidents” of a […]
Category: Media
Medical Board refers Simon Gordon to VCAT: what it means for the women we represent
The Medical Board of Australia has referred former Melbourne gynaecologist Simon Gordon to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), alleging professional misconduct. It’s a significant development in a matter our Medical Negligence team has been working on for months, and one that many of our clients have been waiting to see move forward. What’s […]
Legal Advice Available for Patients of Hamilton Surgeon Referred to AHPRA
Patients who received surgical treatment at Western District Health Service’s Hamilton Base Hospital between December 2024 and November 2025 may want to seek confidential legal advice, following the referral of a surgeon to Australia’s health regulator. What happened According to reporting by The Standard, Western District Health Service (WDHS) contacted the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation […]
Hero Prison Worker Who Hurt Himself Tackling Escaping Inmate Wins Payout
A former maintenance worker at Fulham Prison has secured a major WorkCover victory after suffering severe spinal injuries while responding to an attempted prison escape at the Gippsland facility. Glen Smits was seriously injured after confronting an inmate who was allegedly trying to flee the prison. The incident left him with significant lumbar spine damage, […]
Abuse Settlement Against SDA Warburton School Overturned
A historical child sexual abuse claim involving a Seventh-day Adventist school in Warburton has been revived following a recent Supreme Court decision allowing a former student to pursue additional compensation. The woman had previously accepted a $125,000 settlement from the church in 2016 after alleging she was repeatedly sexually abused by teacher Jean Mack during […]
Son of Gippsland Family Seriously Injured in Incident at Traralgon Special Development School
A Gippsland family has launched legal action against the State of Victoria after their son was seriously injured when he ran through a glass window at a special development school in Traralgon, raising concerns about safety standards in older school buildings. Arnold Thomas & Becker Lawyers is acting for Brody Lothringer, who was 12 years […]
Endometriosis Surgery Investigation
Dr Simon Gordon Endometriosis Investigation Explained Concerns have been raised about endometriosis surgeries performed by Dr Simon Gordon. If you underwent surgery and were later told there was little or no endometriosis, you may be affected and could have legal options. Arnold Thomas & Becker is currently speaking with women who received gynaecological treatment or […]
Victorian government apologises to victim-survivors of child sexual abuse in schools
Victorian Government Apologises to Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse in Government Schools The Victorian Government has formally apologised to victim-survivors of historical child sexual abuse in Victorian government schools, acknowledging the systemic failures that allowed abuse to occur and recognising the lifelong impact experienced by survivors. Premier Ben Carroll delivered the apology in the Victorian […]
School support worker secures significant settlement after being assaulted while protecting a student
School support worker secures significant settlement after being assaulted while protecting a student A school administration worker who was assaulted by a group of students while stepping in to protect a young person has secured a six-figure settlement, following years of physical and psychological trauma caused by the attack. Anna Pengelly, 62, was working in […]
Woman gives birth to stranger’s baby after horror Monash IVF mix-up
Woman gives birth to stranger’s baby after horror Monash IVF mix-up A woman has unwittingly given birth to a stranger’s baby after a horror mix-up by Monash IVF saw her implanted with another couple’s embryo. It is believed to be the first time in Australia that a baby has been born after the wrong embryo […]