Case Studies

Geoffrey

---

We acted for a truck driver who suffered a severe traumatic brain incident and multiple physical injuries when the truck he was driving rolled over. The truck was carrying a bales of hay that had been loaded incorrectly and it was alleged his employer had not provided him with appropriate training in loading and carting such hay. There were complex issues about the cause of the roll-over and the relevant legislation to be applied, including whether the incident was a “motor incident” or a workplace incident. The claim was settled successfully at mediation.

Joseph

---

We acted for a man who was injured whilst working as a traffic controller. One of his colleagues was using an “occy strap”, which flung and struck our client in the eye causing total blindness in that eye. Despite our client being able to return to work with his employer his out of court settlement was an excellent result.

Melanie

---

Our client was a young girl who was the victim of two armed robberies at her work place. Although there were no physical injuries she suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and developed schizophrenia. She was unable to cope with normal daily activities and became socially isolated and dependent upon medication.

Our client consulted lawyers who failed to bring a claim for damages against her employer for failing to provide a safe work place and so we pursued a late claim against the employer and a claim against the previous lawyers for the compensation of which our client was deprived as a result of their delay.

The claim proceeded to the Court of Appeal and a very favourable settlement was negotiated.

Terry

---

Our client was a young man employed as a safety officer on a major construction site. He was earning a good salary and had great career prospects. A young apprentice sustained fatal injuries and our client arrived at the scene shortly afterwards and rendered assistance but was unable to save the life of the young apprentice.

Our client suffered catastrophic psychological incident and developed major depression and became addicted to alcohol and gambling. His relationship broke down and he was unable to return to any form of work.

A claim for damages for loss of earnings was made against his employer in the Supreme Court and settlement was achieved. We also successfully claimed substantial lump sum payments for total and permanent disability under our client's superannuation policies.

Nathan

---

We acted for a man injured during the course of his employment. When we spoke with him it turned out he had suffered another injury at work, which we were able to advise him was also compensable. We were able to negotiate a good settlement for him for his injuries and pain and suffering which was well in excess of the insurer’s first offer. His entitlements to claim future medical expenses remain open and if his injuries deteriorate he can make a further claim for his injuries.

Gwen

---

Gwen, a 92 year old lady, tripped and fell on a hole in the tiles of a shopping mall sustaining injury. The defendant denied liability and the matter proceeded to a hearing in the District Court of NSW for five days. The client was successful and received a substantial sum for damages.

Clive

---

Clive aged 36 sustained injury to his ankle when he was struck by an excavator on a work site. The defendant denied liability and proceedings were commenced in the Supreme Court of NSW. The parties participated in an informal settlement conference and the matter was settled out of court with the client receiving a very substantial sum.