By Bridie Byrne
A FORMER residential care worker was awarded more than $400,000 after his employer breached contractual obligations.
Kevin Loiterton from Bullarook won the damages case against MacKillop Family Services in the County Court last week.
Slater & Gordon lawyer Tony Kenyon said his client had worked at the service between 2004 and 2006, primarily caring for young people at residential units in Keilor Park, Werribee and Hoppers Crossing.
Mr Kenyon said he was required to work in a highly stressful environment, where he was subjected to numerous assaults, both physical and verbal.
“He was encouraged to take a young adolescent home to show him what a family was like and then this resulted in the young boy threatening the welfare of Mr Loiterton’s family,” he said.
Mr Kenyon said he developed post traumatic stress disorder as a result of his working environment.
He said the treating psychiatrist and psychologist gave evidence about the devastating effect and how he could never return to work.
