PresCare has been ordered to pay more than $350,000 in damages to a nurse who broke her hip tripping during work at an aged care facility in Maryborough.
The Courier Mail reports Urlike Pearce was unable to work for six months after fracturing her left hip on August 2, 2015, and can now only walk 15 minutes at a time.
The 57-year-old sued PresCare for $567,012.
PresCare reportedly admitted liability for the injuries at the trial in Brisbane District Court, but argued the damage bill should be reduced as Mrs Pearce had pre-existing health issues and experienced personal tragedies after the fall that may have affected her earning capacity.
Judge Nathan Jarro ordered PresCare to pay Mrs Pearce $354,072.
“Mrs Pearce’s damages ought to be discounted to take into account a probability that at some point, she would have had to cease performing her duties due to the pre-existing orthopaedic conditions,” Judge Jarro said in his judgement.
“My overall impression of her was that she was a truthful witness and a lady who had displayed considerable stoicism thought tragic and unfortunate events in her life."
PresCare is considering the possible sale and transfer of its five nursing homes in Queensland.
