Waitress sues over ‘Star slip’

A waitress claims she is no longer able to surf, run or ride a bike after she slipped while working at The Star casino in Broadbeach.

Rhianon Courtney Deskins also alleges she re-injured her back at the casino when she twisted while lifting a tray of cutlery.

The 35-year-old is suing in the Southport District Court for more than $280,000.

She claims she can no longer work as a waitress and had to quit her second job as an Uber driver due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Court documents filed by Ms Deskins claim she was walking through the Harvest Buffet kitchen at the casino about 2.10am on April 29, 2019 when she slipped on water.

She was carrying about 10 plates.

The court documents claim she landed on her right elbow, hip and buttocks.

She claims in the documents that the casino did not warn her about the water or have a system in place to ensure spills in the kitchen were cleaned.

Ms Deskins claims that on October 3, 2019 she was working in the Harvest Buffet again when she was lifting and twisting with a full rack of cutlery.

It is claimed in the documents: “She felt a shooting pain in her lower back and down her left leg.”

The casino also did not train Ms Deskins how to properly lift the heavy cutlery tray, it is alleged in the documents.

“(The casino) knew that (Ms Deskins) had injured her back at work on 20 April 2019 in the first accident and was vulnerable to re-injury and/or (Ms Deskins) advised (the casino) that she did not feel comfortable carrying out the task as a result of her back injury …,” it is alleged.

Ms Deskins also claims The Star did not offer her lighter duties despite knowing she was susceptible to back injuries.

It is alleged she was left with an aggravation of pre-existing degenerative changes to her lower back. She says she cannot surf, run or ride a bike without aggravating her lower back pain, and has difficulty lifting weights, bending, twisting, sitting and standing for long periods and trouble sleeping, it is claimed.

Ms Deskins claims in the documents she has not been able to return to work.

She alleges she also worked as an Uber driver until March last year when the coronavirus pandemic stuck.

The Star Casino is yet to lodge a defence.