We normally focus on the tense negotiations and courtroom battles between plaintiff lawyers and defendants. For our clients, however, that's just one aspect of a compensation claim. Many are dealing with complex trauma, and the justice system is full of triggers. In the final episode of season two, Restitution speaks to Karen Spitz, lead counsellor at Shine Lawyers. It's her job to help clients like Julia Reid safely navigate the litigation process. 

When Perlita Golding moved to Australia from the Philippines, the single mother began working at a Brisbane laundromat. She had limited English and needed enough shifts to support her family. Her boss, Ian Sippel, took advantage of Perlita's vulnerable position. But when Perlita took her case to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, she discovered victims of sexual harassment in the sunshine state receive minimal compensation compared to other jurisdictions. It was an injustice Perlita refused to accept. 

A cheaper alternative to marble and granite, engineered stone is an increasingly popular choice for Australians looking to renovate their kitchens and bathrooms. Once it's installed, it poses no risk to your health. But the workers who manufacture the stuff on the factory floor are getting sick. Silicosis, a deadly dust disease, is cutting short the lives of stonemasons. In this episode: workers and lawyers unite to demand change from employers and legislators.  Credits: Host & Executive Producer: David Lewis Artwork: Paolo Lim Sound Design: Output Media  Sound Recording: River City Studios and Castaway Studios Restitution is a podcast by Shine Lawyers, inspired by the book The Right Side of Wrong by firm co-founder Stephen Roche. 

In June 1990, Caitlyn was studying at the University of New England in Armidale, New South Wales. One night, as Caitlyn was asleep, a man entered her room in St Alberts college and raped her. It turns out Caitlyn wasn't the first female student to be sexually assaulted by the man. So why wasn't anything done to prevent this from happening? In this episode, a survivor of sexual assault make a stand.  Credits: Host & Executive Producer: David Lewis Artwork: Paolo Lim Sound Design: Output Media  Sound Recording: River City Studios and Castaway Studios Restitution is a podcast by Shine Lawyers, inspired by the book The Right Side of Wrong by firm co-founder Stephen Roche. 

Joanna Davies was five years old when she learned she was adopted. What she didn’t know was that her birth mother, Lorraine, wanted to keep her. She had signed the paperwork under duress. Lorraine was one of thousands of young, unmarried women whose babies were taken from them without their consent between the 1950s and 1980s. State-sanctioned forced adoptions tore families apart. Some parents and children have been able to reconnect while others simply ran out of time. In this episode, Joanna tells her story and her lawyer, Cameron Tout, explains the need for legislative reform so everyone who has been directly affected by this cruel historical practice can access the compensation they deserve.  Credits: Host & Executive Producer: David Lewis Artwork: Paolo Lim Sound Design: Output Media  Sound Recording: River City Studios and Castaway Studios Restitution is a podcast by Shine Lawyers, inspired by the book The Right Side of Wrong by firm co-founder Stephen Roche. 

When Chrys Barker suffered brain injuries in a car crash, his parents were told he would never recover. The insurer for the at-fault driver wanted Chrys, who was in his twenties, to be placed into an aged care home for the rest of his life. But his father, Allan, disagreed. He could see a fire in Chrys's eyes. He believed his son was saying "get me out of here". Chrys later stunned his medical team by answering a question with a thumbs-up. Maybe there was hope for Chrys after all.  Credits: Host & Executive Producer: David Lewis Artwork: Paolo Lim Sound Design: Output Media  Sound Recording: River City Studios and Castaway Studios Restitution is a podcast by Shine Lawyers, inspired by the book The Right Side of Wrong by firm co-founder Stephen Roche. 

Maria Allport was in a warehouse, packing stock for Aldi supermarkets when she hurt her back. Nothing some painkillers and rest won't fix, she thought. But as it turns out, Maria had sustained serious spinal injuries. She didn't know it at the time, but her life was about to unravel.  In the first episode of season two, Restitution focuses on the number one cause of workplace injuries in Australia. It's an issue that rarely makes the headlines but can have devastating consequences.  Credits: Host & Executive Producer: David Lewis Artwork: Paolo Lim Sound Design: Output Media  Sound Recording: River City Studios and Castaway Studios Restitution is a podcast by Shine Lawyers, inspired by the book The Right Side of Wrong by firm co-founder Stephen Roche. 

When you find yourself injured through no fault of your own. When someone takes something from you without your consent. When your quality of life is diminished and nobody is taking responsibility. Where do you draw the line?  Restitution is a show about people who’ve been wronged and the lawyers trying to make it right. After a short break, we’re back with more stories of everyday Australians making a stand.  Restitution is a podcast by Shine Lawyers inspired by the book The Right Side of Wrong by firm co-founder Stephen Roche. For more than 45 years, the firm has been standing up for the little guy. But it’s the courage of our clients that allows us to right wrong.  Credits: Host & Executive Producer: David Lewis Artwork: Paolo Lim Sound Design: Output Media  Sound Recording: River City Studios and Castaway Studios

We don’t like to think about where our meat comes from. And with good reason: abattoirs are gruesome places. But for Paul Draper, mincing meat on the factory floor of KR Darling Downs wasn’t just unpleasant, it was unsafe. In this episode, you’ll hear the story of how a violent workplace accident forced a reluctant litigant to take on one of the biggest employers in Toowoomba, Queensland.  Restitution is produced by Deadset Studios and inspired by the book The Right Side of Wrong by Shine Lawyers co-founder Stephen Roche.  Host: David Lewis Producers: Liam Riordan & Grace Pashley Sound Design: Kristina Miltiadou Executive Producers: David Lewis & Rachel Fountain

Remember the McMatch & Win promotion at Maccas? In 1998, the fast-food giant gave Aussies the chance to win prizes like cars, trips to Disneyland and computers by collecting stamps attached to food packaging. In the first year, the promotion went off without a hitch. But in 1999, a big problem emerged. Thousands of customers came forward to claim more prizes than were available. When Maccas refused to honour its promise, things got ugly.  Restitution is produced by Deadset Studios and inspired by the book The Right Side of Wrong by Shine Lawyers co-founder Stephen Roche.  Host: David Lewis Producers: Liam Riordan & Grace Pashley Sound Design: Kristina Miltiadou Executive Producers: David Lewis & Rachel Fountain

In late 2000, a junior solicitor named Jodie Willey was looking forward to a holiday when her boss asked her to remove several dusty boxes from his office. Curious, Jodie peeked inside and came across a case file marked Lyndal. She immediately cancelled her leave. In this episode, you’ll hear the remarkable story of a young woman from a country town who dared to demand justice from the Anglican Church. Restitution is produced by Deadset Studios and inspired by the book The Right Side of Wrong by Shine Lawyers co-founder Stephen Roche.  Host: David Lewis Producers: Liam Riordan & Grace Pashley Sound Design: Kristina Miltiadou Executive Producers: David Lewis & Rachel Fountain

Giving birth to three babies took a toll on Amanda Liddell’s body. When her gynaecologist suggested a “miracle” cure, she jumped at the chance. But after receiving a pelvic mesh implant manufactured and distributed by Ethicon and Johnson & Johnson, Amanda woke up from surgery in excruciating pain. She didn’t realise it then, but she wasn’t the only one. In this episode, you’ll hear the story behind one of the biggest class actions in Australian legal history. Restitution is produced by Deadset Studios and inspired by the book The Right Side of Wrong by Shine Lawyers co-founder Stephen Roche.  Host: David Lewis Producers: Liam Riordan & Grace Pashley Sound Design: Kristina Miltiadou Executive Producers: David Lewis & Rachel Fountain

Nobody wants to go to court, but sometimes ordinary people are forced into extraordinary circumstances. When you’re injured at work and your boss says it’s your fault. When you’re in agonising pain and nobody believes you. When someone you trust takes advantage of you at a vulnerable age. It’s time to take a stand. Faced with injustice, the people you'll meet in this podcast refused to be silenced. These are the real-life stories behind some of the biggest court battles in the history of one of Australia’s largest personal injury law firms. Restitution is produced by Deadset Studios and inspired by the book The Right Side of Wrong by Shine Lawyers co-founder Stephen Roche.  Host: David Lewis Producers: Liam Riordan & Grace Pashley Sound Design: Kristina Miltiadou Executive Producers: David Lewis & Rachel Fountain