Brittany Higgins to sue Linda Reynolds and Michaelia Cash and seek compo over alleged rape scandal

Brittany Higgins will sue former federal ministers Linda Reynolds and Michaelia Cash and the Commonwealth for $3 million as the fallout from one of Australia’s most high-profile rape trials continues.

Lawyers for the former Liberal staffer have notified that they will file a claim in civil court this month. after the sexual assault case in which she was a whistleblower was sensationally dropped on Friday.

Since then, Senator Reynolds has confirmed that Higgins’ attorneys informed her earlier that day of their intentions to file a claim for compensation.

Bruce Lehrmann, 27, was accused of sexually assaulting his former colleague, Ms Higgins, 28, inside Parliament in March 2019, a charge he has strenuously denied.

The first trial was abandoned in October when a juror brought in prohibited reading material, a study on false rape accusations, during deliberations.

The case was set for a second trial next year before the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions dropped it amid fears that a new trial would adversely affect Ms Higgins’ mental health after she was recently hospitalised.

It has also emerged that Lehrmann could also seek cash compensation as he is now “bankrupt” and considering selling his story to the highest bidder.

Ms. Higgins was working for then Defense Secretary Senator Reynolds at the time of the alleged incident before leaving to take up a position with Senator Cash.

Blumers Personal Injury Lawyers has indicated that it is moving forward with the compensation claim for Ms. Higgins.

The Canberra-based firm has sent documents to both its client’s former bosses and the Commonwealth stating its intent to sue for sexual harassment, sex discrimination, disability discrimination, neglect and victimization.

An official claim has yet to be filed as the parties involved prepare to start mediation talks.

Senator Reynolds confirmed that Ms. Higgins’ lawyers informed her on Friday of their intentions to move the claim forward. Age informed.

“I confirm that the Blumers Law Firm, acting on behalf of Brittany Higgins, informed me in March of this year of a civil claim by Ms. Higgins against me and other parties,” Ms. Reynolds said.

‘However, no proceedings have yet been filed. Blumers informed me Friday that his client intends to move forward with the civil lawsuit this month.

Sources who have seen the legal document state that Ms Higgins will seek compensation for lost income, future income and support at home.

Includes $2.5 million for future economic losses, up to $100,000 for past economic losses, $100,000 for general damages, $20,0000 for future assistance with household duties, and $150,000 for past and future out-of-pocket expenses.

A date has been set for mediation between the parties on December 13.

Sources close to Reynolds said he agreed to a time extension that would expire on Tuesday, meaning Higgins’ lawyers would have to bring their case to court by then.

Noor Blumer, a founding partner of Blumers Lawyers, is understood to have been quietly negotiating the claim since February.

She has declined to comment on the matter or any mediation talks.

Ms Higgins’ lawyer, Leon Zwier, who supported Higgins during the criminal case in Canberra, is aware of the claim.

Ms Higgins was in hospital on Friday when prosecutors confirmed the second trial would not go ahead.

He broke his silence on Instagram on Sunday to reiterate the same statement he made in front of a Canberra court in October after a jury called a mistrial.

The post was inundated with messages of public support, including from her good friend, sexual assault survivor advocate Grace Tame.

Ms Higgins thanked the court and its officials who “treated me with such respect when I was there.”

“I chose to speak,” Ms Higgins wrote.

‘Talk and share my experience with others’.

Ms Higgins said her life had been ‘publicly scrutinized, open for the world to see’ and said she knew ‘the odds were against me from the start’.

“Most importantly, I want to thank the workers in our mental health system, without whom I literally would not be here today,” he wrote.

Ms Higgins also thanked the DPP, the team that followed the case, her lawyers, her family and her partner, David Sharaz.

Ms Higgins has not worked full-time since she went public with her account of the alleged incident nearly two years later, in February 2021.

Lehrmann is also seeking cash compensation, and his attorneys are considering a claim from Comcare, a defamation action against the media, and a wrongful termination of jobs he lost after the rape allegations surfaced.

Lehrmann previously earned up to $200,000 a year as a senior adviser to the Liberal Party before being fired in 2021.

Since he was charged with rape, he is now “broke” and unable to get a job.

He was withdrawn from welfare during the trial because he was unable to meet Centrelink’s mutual obligation requirements.

Trying to make ends meet, the former staffer is now chopping wood for a friend’s father on a property in Tasmania and looking for more work, reports news.com.au.

According to the publication, Mr. Lehrmann is also considering doing paid television interviews to try to raise money to pay some of his legal fees.

He has been contacted by some networks for a pay TV interview since the charges against him were dropped.

Mr. Lehrmann is considering legal action for alleged defamation during the trial, as well as filing an unfair dismissal claim against the Liberal Party.

Various news outlets along with social media platforms Facebook and Twitter could be in the firing line as his legal team seeks to issue defamation notices of concern.