28 April 2026
Supreme Court proceedings have been filed in Brisbane, placing major contractors and corporates under scrutiny following the workplace death of meter reader Kane Minion in 2022.
The claim, brought by Mr Minion’s fiancée Toni Baird, seeks damages of more than $1.3 million for the psychological injury she has suffered after his death, with proceedings naming multiple parties including contractor Spotless Facility Services Pty Ltd and energy provider Energex Limited.
Mr Minion was fatally attacked by two unrestrained dogs while attending a property in Greenbank, south of Brisbane, while performing meter reading duties.
The claim alleges failures across multiple areas, including workplace health and safety obligations, risk management processes and the adequacy of systems designed to identify and communicate hazards to workers.
Ms Baird’s lawyer, Managing Partner of Travis Schultz & Partners, Travis Schultz, said the proceedings raised broader questions about corporate responsibility and worker safety.
“The claim alleges that when corporates design and implement systems that drive behaviour in the field, they must also ensure those systems adequately protect worker safety,” Mr Schultz said.
“This is another case in which it will be suggested that there is a very real human cost when systems fail.
“An inquest was held last year, and we currently await the Coroner’s findings.
“In cases on this type, central issues include whether systems and safeguards relied upon to protect frontline workers are robust enough, particularly when individuals are sent alone into unpredictable environments.”
While claims relating to dependency have already been resolved, this action focuses solely on Ms Baird’s psychiatric injury, including prolonged grief disorder, depression and anxiety, arising from the traumatic loss which have affected her ability to work, maintain independence and carry out day-to-day activities.
After advocating for a coronial inquest into Mr Minion’s death, which was held in October 2025, Ms Baird said the legal action marks another step in a long process of seeking answers and accountability.
“We’ve spent years fighting for answers,” Ms Baird said.
“We’ve sat through the inquest and I’m still waiting for the coroner’s findings – while continuing to live with the impact of losing Kane every single day.
“I struggle with overwhelming grief, anxiety and constant reminders of what happened to Kane every day. I’ve had to rely on my family for support in ways I never imagined, and my life looks completely different to what it was before.
“I will never get Kane back and I need to find a way to live with that, but this isn’t just about what happened at one property, on one day – it’s about challenging the corporate systems and decisions that put Kane in harm’s way in the first place.” The claim was filed in the Brisbane Registry of the Supreme Court of Queensland on 22 April 2026 and names the property owners, as well as Spotless Facility Services Pty Ltd and Energex Limited, as defendants to the proceeding.
Media contact: Trudie Abel, Fresh PR & Marketing | 0408 119 443 | trudie@freshprm.com.au
About Travis Schultz & Partners
Travis Schultz & Partners was established in 2018 by founding Managing Partner Travis Schultz on the guiding values of fairness, respect and expertise. Today, the award-winning, nationally recognised compensation law firm is home to Queensland’s largest team of Personal Injury Accredited Specialists among its more than 70 staff. The firm services clients across the state from offices in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast and Cairns. www.schultzlaw.com.au
