Practices
Insurance Kristen Westcott is an experienced personal injuries litigator with a strong focus on defending employers that are insured under the Victorian WorkCover scheme.
Her particular interest is serious injury and common law litigation about physical and psychiatric injuries in the workplace. This has included complex proceedings on issues such as manual handling, falls from heights, slips and trips, exposure to toxins, overwork, silicosis, motor vehicle accidents, plant and machinery, and bullying and harassment. The work is performed for small to large private and government employers in industries as varied as health, education, emergency services, justice, manufacturing, retail, trades, and transport
Kristen joined Hall & Wilcox in September 2022, having previously held senior positions with the Dispute Management Division at WorkSafe Victoria and a further two Panel firms.
Her background otherwise includes litigation for public liability insurers and the Transport Accident Commission, and valuable experience as a Judge’s Associate.
Experience
- Representing WorkSafe Victoria, WorkCover insurers, insured employers and public liability insurers in serious injury and common law litigation, third party statutory recovery proceedings, and statutory benefits disputes about workplace injuries;
- Managed common law litigation as part of a team at WorkSafe, including providing instructions to the Legal Panel and strategic project work;
- Former co-ordinator of WorkSafe’s continuing legal education program;
- Seconded at WorkSafe on third party recoveries;
- Acted for the Transport Accident Commission;
- Worked in the general insurance practice of a national firm;
- Ten years of board experience with a not-for-profit that provides supported employed, including membership of the executive and risk management committes and the position of Deputy Chair;
- Team leader with the Australian Boys’ Choir;
- Volunteer with a school cadets unit;
- Judge’s Associate in a Commonwealth appeals court, and
- Graduated with a Master of Laws with an Honours average from Monash University and a Bachelor of Laws with Honours and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne.
Awards and recognition
WorkSafe award, 2019
for 15 years of service with the Legal PanelProfessional Membership
- Law Institute of Victoria
- Life Member of Waverley Industries Ltd.