After a tragic workplace accident, former police officer Jillian took her employer to court - and won
Updated . First published at
For many years, former police officer Jillian lived and breathed blue.
"I just loved being part of policing, being in the community … loved being able to teach younger constables," she told A Current Affair.
That was until November 2010, when the mother of two was involved in a shocking accident on the job in the Dingo Tops State Forest on the NSW Mid North Coast.
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For many years, former police officer Jillian lived and breathed blue. Nine
Officers working on a cannabis eradication operation in the forest had pulled 740 cannabis plants and loaded them onto a police ute driven by Jillian.
On the way back down a dirt track, the overloaded Ford Ranger lost traction and plunged down a steep embankment. Jillian had to be stretchered out by her colleagues.
"I knew at that stage I had done something to my right wrist. I couldn't use it so I had to tuck it into my overalls and climb out," Jillian told A Current Affair.
"From that stage it kind of just kept getting worse. My hand was swollen to like a balloon.
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Then, six years after the accident came another blow, when doctors told Jillian they needed to amputate her arm, which had not improved since the crash. Nine
"The colour on it was shocking. I couldn't touch it, it was that sensitive. Showering hurt it."
Jillian was later diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, major depressive disorder and severe ongoing nerve pain, and was medically discharged from the police force.
Her employer paid out less than $550,000 in workers' compensation, which Jillian felt fell dramatically short for someone told they could not work again.
Then, six years after the accident came another blow, when doctors told Jillian they needed to amputate her arm, which had not improved since the crash.
"I was getting blisters and pustules all over it. I couldn't cut my nails," she said.
Jillian was awarded $2.3 million after a judge found NSW Police breached its duty of care. Nine
She believed the force she'd dedicated her life to would stand by her in her time of need.
"[I] thought I was, you know, a part of something that would look after me," she said.
But the police force refused to support her and even claimed she was responsible for the crash.
So Jillian fought back - and won. She was awarded $2.3 million after a judge found NSW Police breached its duty of care.
Watch the full video in the player above.
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