Rosie Petrolo is a Partner in our Statutory Insurance team, with over 17 years of experience specialising in New South Wales workers’ compensation and work injury damages claims. She is known for her strategic litigation expertise and her ability to deliver commercially focused outcomes for insurer clients.
Rosie has extensive experience managing complex claims involving catastrophic injuries, psychological harm, and multi-party disputes. She regularly appears before the Personal Injury Commission, the District Court of NSW, and the Supreme Court of NSW.
She maintains strong relationships with leading insurers and represents large self-insured organisations. Rosie is a sought-after presenter for Scheme Agents and has contributed to landmark litigation involving federal jurisdiction under the Workers Compensation Act.
Rosie participates in pro bono work and is a member of the Law Society of NSW and the Australian Insurance Law Association (AILA). She is committed to mentoring junior lawyers and supporting community initiatives.
Experience
General experience
- Specialist in NSW statutory workers’ compensation and work injury damages (modified common law) claims.
- Extensive experience in catastrophic injuries (including fatalities and brain injuries), psychological injuries, multi-party litigation, and matters involving complex liability, medical, causation and quantum issues.
- Regularly appears and manages litigation in the Personal Injury Commission, District Court of NSW and Supreme Court of NSW.
- Recognised capability in strategic litigation and achieving commercial outcomes for insurer clients.
Clients and sectors
- Acts for and maintains key relationships with leading workers’ compensation insurers, including EML, GIO, QBE, Allianz, Gallagher Bassett and DXC Technology (NSW scheme context).
- Represents large self-insured organisations.
- Receives referrals from large employers across education, healthcare, logistics, engineering and agriculture.
- Broker network is a significant driver of work.
- Noted by iCare as one of a small number of NSW lawyers encouraged for CSP engagement on fatality claims in the nominal insurer space
Key profiling activities / speaking
- Regular presenter for Scheme Agents, including sessions on lump sum claims and psychological injuries.
- Participated as a core party in a District Court Special Fixture concerning constitutional/jurisdictional issues related to whether the Personal Injury Commission was exercising federal jurisdiction in certain matters under the Workers Compensation Act.
Community / business support activities
- Played a foundational role in the growth of a NSW-based law firm, contributing to its expansion across three offices and a team of approximately 60 staff.
- Led the Newcastle office, cultivating a high-performing team and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders including CSPs, insurers, employers, and brokers.
- Actively involved in professional associations such as the Law Society of NSW and AILA, with a strong commitment to mentoring junior practitioners and paralegals.
- Initiated and coordinated annual charitable contributions to Allambi Care, supporting underprivileged families in the local community.
Awards and Recognition
Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession
2020 - 2021 | Leading Public & Product Liability Lawyer (New South Wales)
Memberships
- Law Society of New South Wales
- Australian Insurance Law Association (AILA)