National Nine News, February 14, 2001

(Australia) Man awarded $2.5 million for strapping
By AAP

A man who sued a teacher and the trustees of the Catholic Church over strappings he received 17 years ago was today awarded more than $2.5 million damages by a Sydney jury.

Paul Hogan, 30, sued former discipline master Denis Fricot and the Church after being strapped three times in the morning and five times in the afternoon on the right hand on March 16, 1984 at St John's College, Lakemba, in Sydney's west.

The jury of two men and two women found Mr Fricot and the Church had breached the duty of care they owed to Dr Hogan.

They also found that there was no proper cause for the first strapping and that both were neither moderate nor reasonable.

Dr Hogan had claimed his right hand was permanently damaged by the strapping and that he continued to feel pain.

The jury awarded $700,000 in general damages, $212,728 for past economic loss, $1,583,891.77 for loss of future earnings and other damages.

The total damages awarded to Dr Hogan was $2,729,093.77.