George is an expert in common law damages claims and has particular expertise in advising insurers in relation to complex and large-scale litigation across various jurisdictions.
He has been involved in dozens of property damage class actions or mass tort recovery actions since 2013. He has a deep understanding of the intricacies of class action civil procedure, and the complex legal issues affecting duties of care and recoveries in private nuisance. George is also experienced in assisting insurers in respect of indemnity disputes, liability claims and recoveries arising from other property damage and/or construction projects.
George is considered by his clients as a trusted advisor and has a reputation of providing practical, concise and cost-effective advice while helping his clients to secure successful outcomes. He is highly regarded for his project and people management expertise, and is a mentor to many junior lawyers.
- Successfully acting for three major insurers and over 400 plaintiffs in the Supreme Court of Tasmania regarding property damage losses arising from a bushfire totalling almost $30 million. The case made judicial history as Tasmania’s first ever entirely electronic trial (Prestage v Barrett [2021] TASSC 27).
- Acting for insurers in respect of indemnity and liability disputes arising from large scale construction projects, as well as seeking recovery of damages (for insured and uninsured losses) arising from defective works conducted by builders, plumbers, water authorities and/or other contractors. George has a track record of providing concise and practical advice and ultimately achieving successful outcomes.
- Successfully representing four major insurers and almost 200 plaintiffs in the initial Supreme Court of Western Australia trial, the subsequent Court of Appeal proceeding and then the ultimate High Court appeal in relation to property damage losses totalling more than $12 million arising from a bushfire (Electricity Networks Corporation t/as Western Power v Herridge Parties [2022] HCA 37).
- Successfully negotiating the recovery of over $20 million for three insurers and 250 plaintiffs in the Victorian Supreme Court regarding property damage and farming losses arising from the 2018 Terang and Garvoc bushfires.
- Acting as a common law damages assessor following settlement of the Kilmore East and Murrindindi bushfires class actions. George supervised a team of 15 paralegals and lawyers in assisting over 5,000 people with assessed losses of $400 million. George also helped his insurer clients to recover $180 million.
- Acting as a damages assessor and auditor following settlement of the Queensland Floods class action. George again supervised a large team of lawyers and paralegals in assisting flood victims and assessing about 500 claims with total assessed losses of about $120M.
- Acting for four insurers in four separate class actions in the Victorian Supreme Court, in which George’s clients successfully defeated various interlocutory applications brought by the plaintiff law firm regarding issues that were adverse to those insurers’ interests - Hawker v Powercor [2018] VSC 661; Lenehan v Powercor [2018] VSC 579.
- Acting for a number of insurers in respect of a recent class action issued by a plaintiff law firm. George provided his clients with complex yet practical advice as to whether the legal costs being claimed by the plaintiff law firm managing the class action were exorbitant and ought to be challenged. Ultimately, George helped convince the Supreme Court that the legal costs being claimed should be reduced, thereby increasing the recovery rate for all plaintiffs, including George’s insurer clients.
- Acting for an uninsured private client in a personal injury claim. The dispute was settled just before a lengthy (and costly) trial on the basis that the client contributes approximately 10% towards the settlement amount, with the other defendant contributing the rest. The client was ecstatic with the outcome.
Memberships
- Law Institute of Victoria
- Young Insurance Professionals Australia