Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against State of Victoria After Indigenous Womans Tragic Death in Custody

The cover image of this article is from theage.com.au.

Percy Lovett, the long-term partner of Veronica Nelson, has sued the government of Victoria, Australia and four other entities for her wrongful death in custody. Nelson, 37, was discovered to have passed away in her cell in Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in January 2020 after making multiple calls for assistance. Three days prior, she had been arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and denied bail. During the inquest, it was revealed that Nelson had contacted prison staff more than a dozen times the night she died, stressing for help.

Lovett filed a civil suit in the Supreme Court against the state of Victoria, Corrections Victoria, Justice Department and Community Safety, Justice Health's executive director, and Correct Care Australasia. He is seeking compensation for his grievance and a resolution to verify that the five defendants have breached the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2008. He argued that Nelson's death was caused or at least partly connected to negligence, breach of statutory discretion, and/or wrong acts of the defendants, either alone or together. It was also noted in the writ that Lovett maintained that all five defendants were duty-bound to protect him from mental harm, which was foreseeable under the circumstances. He further argued that his injury, loss, and damage were the outcomes of negligence, breach of statutory duty, and wrong acts of the defendants.

The state government, Corrections Victoria, and Correct Care Australasia were all contacted for their response. However, no statements have been received as of yet.