Nurse wins payout over attack

A Victorian nurse attacked by a drug user has won a $500,000 payout from police because three officers allegedly failed to restrain him.

Hildy Michalek's attacker was apparently was experiencing a drug-induced psychotic episode when he jumped out of a police van in the ambulance bay of Latrobe Regional Hospital, in Gippsland, and struck her in March 2005, Fairfax Media reports.

Ms Michalek, now 42, suffers chronic pain and permanent nerve damage to her spine and legs as a result.

She has not returned to work since. "I've had a career ripped out from underneath me," she was quoted as saying.

Court documents allege three police officers failed to adequately restrain the drug user during his transfer and admission to hospital and did not adequately assess the man's mental health and threat to hospital staff.

The settlement from Victoria Police covers medical and rehabilitation costs and home-based care.