I have over 25 years’ experience and specialise in the area of insurance law, litigation and dispute resolution.
I practise in and have extensive knowledge of:
- General insurance, indemnity and policy advice;
- Public and product liability claims;
- Catastrophic personal injury claims;
- Dust diseases;
- Professional indemnity claims;
- Personal insurance claims;
- Business interruption and ISR (Industrial Special Risks) claims;
- Property damage claims;
- Aviation and marine claims;
- Life and disability claims;
- Insurance claims involving fraud.
I have acted for insurers, insureds, liability self insurers and corporate entities throughout Australia and internationally.
Who I work with and what I do
I have acted for:
- A large corporate entity in a claim arising under an errors and omissions policy concerning the alleged negligent design, installation and maintenance of irrigation pipes leading to pipe failure and significant crop losses in South Australia;
- An insurer advising on indemnity, policy coverage under an ISR policy, damage and loss in relation to a claim by a school arising from fire and acts of vandalism in circumstances where the school was no longer operating and the land on which it was situated was being offered for sale;
- A $5 million property damage claim against pool manufacturers arising out of the blistering of pools and alleged negligent design;
- Professional indemnity and error and omission policy claims including architects, builders, engineers, surveyors, mortgage originators/brokers and dental service providers;
- A professional indemnity claim for a doctor in relation to alleged negligent cosmetic treatment to a patient;
- The owner and licensee of a hotel in a catastrophic public liability claim arising from the serious assault of a patron (who suffered alleged brain damage) by a third party off the hotel premises, in which it was held by the NSW Court of Appeal that no duty of care was owed;
- A number of defendants on instructions from an insurer in multi-million dollar proceedings involving 5 plaintiffs and 9 defendants arising from the entrapment and drowning of a child in a spa for claims for nervous shock by the deceased’s family members, a substantial claim for damages in an action per quod servitium amisit for economic loss brought by a family trust company, numerous cross claims, and claims for dual insurance;
I have also acted:
- In the High Court of Australia matter Hollis v Vabu Pty Ltd (2001), a leading authority on the indicia for the distinction between employees and independent contractors;
- In claims concerning catastrophic injuries sustained on construction sites involving multiple contractors and independent contractors;
- On behalf of an instructor in relation to a personal injury claim arising out of a paragliding accident;
- For a boat sharing company on instructions from a marine insurer in defending a personal injury claim by a guest on a vessel who had 3 fingers severed when releasing lines from a vessel.
Where I studied
I have a Bachelor of Laws and Economics and am an Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law.
What I like to do
I enjoy being on the water through sailing and kayaking, as well as spending time with family.