Man blames charity for breakdown Army veteran seeks $800k from St John

A FORMER first-aid trainer and Army veteran has launched an $800,000 lawsuit against his former employer, St John Ambulance, claiming its negligence led to his mental health breakdown.

Mark Gilmour, 54, worked for the Townsville branch of the charity for six years from 2012 to when his contract was terminated in 2018.

In documents lodged with the Cairns Supreme Court, it is alleged the organisation went through a restructure in 2015, with the number of admin staff cut from seven to one, and two trainer colleagues resigning.

The documents alleged Mr Gilmour had been struggling with a heavy workload during 2015 and when the seventh admin officer resigned he wrote to a superior saying he would be the “sole permanent staff member” when the office reopened in January 2016.

“From in or about January 2016 to April 2016, (St John) required the plaintiff to perform duties which exceeded the obligation of the employment,” the documents said.

“The defendants knew of the detriment to the plaintiff’s health.”

It is alleged Mr Gilmour sent another email to the North Queensland regional manager in April 2016, which said he was approaching six months of “going it alone” and needed his workload reduced.

The documents alleged Mr Gilmour was overheard using a profanity during a training session in April 2016, which was out of character.

He was then ordered to take accrued time off in lieu and sick leave by senior management in June 2016 after an incident during a staff training session in Brisbane where he was allegedly confronted and told he had “caused offence” to someone during the session.

Mr Gilmour’s legal representatives alleged he developed a psychological injury that month with symptoms of anxiety and depression before being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and being admitted to Townsville Hospital’s Mental Health Unit in early October.

The claim, which totals $802,453, takes into account past and future lost earnings and medical costs.

A St John spokeswoman said the organisation would not comment “as this is an ongoing Workcover case”.

Its legal representatives have yet to file any documentation in court.

A court date is yet to be set.