Truffet v the State of Queensland

The case of Truffet v. The State of Queensland involved a former teacher, Barbara Elizabeth Truffet, who sued the State of Queensland for damages related to personal injuries she sustained while working as a special needs teacher at St George Primary School in 1984. Both liability and quantum were in dispute. Truffet alleged that the State breached its duty of care by requiring her to teach unruly and aggressive children together, resulting in injuries from incidents with the children. The State denied liability, arguing that it did not breach any duty of care owed to Truffet and that any injuries she sustained were not a result of the State's negligence. The court found that the State did not breach the duty of care it owed to Truffet. Although there was a foreseeable risk of minor physical injury, the court concluded that the State's response to that risk was appropriate and that there was no negligence on its part. As for quantum, the court assessed Truffet's damages, awarding her $144,008.89 in total damages, including pain and suffering, past loss of earning capacity, and special damages. The court found in favour of the defendant, the State of Queensland, and ordered the plaintiff to pay the defendant's costs.