$ 900k claim in inmate scuffle

Injury ‘ state’s fault’

A FORMER youth detention centre worker allegedly injured while trying to break up a fight between two juveniles is suing the state of Queensland for more than $ 900,000.

Neil Mills, 51, lodged a claim in the Townsville Supreme Court earlier this month, and is seeking damages from the Department of Corrections.

The claim says Mr Mills was employed as a youth worker and guard at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre when the alleged fight took place in November, 2012.

Mr Mills claims he was working in the Kings fisher Unit, which housed 15- 17 youths, at the detention centre when he became aware that two boys were planning to fight.

He claims he informed two co- workers of the boys’ intentions, and was later told the teens were no longer going to fight.

Court documents said the youths were to be returned to their units about 9.15am in preparation for their next class.

Mr Mills claims the youths were allowed to “move at their leisure” rather than being lined up and taken back to their units.

He alleges the two boys, who had earlier indicated they were going to fight, came in to contact and a fight broke out.

“The plaintiff ( Mr Mills) called Code Yellow,” the claim says.

Mr Mill claims he was injured after he attempted to restrain one the youths, saying he was pushed backwards, landing on his buttocks and tailbone.

He alleges a youth weighing 80kg to 90kg landed on top of him.

The claim says Mr Mills subdued the youth and took him to the supervision cell before he was taken by ambulance to Townsville Hospital.

He said the detention centre was a “known dangerous work environment”, and the risk of fights was foreseeable.

He submitted the department, and its staff, should have kept the youths separated.

Mr Mills alleges he suffered a spinal injury which required fusion as a result of the incident. Court documents also say he has been put in to “early retirement”.

A defence to the claim has not yet been lodged.