Practices
Louise has more than 15 years of experience in insurance law, having acted for WorkCover Queensland and various self-insureds under the workers’ compensation legislation and general insurers in the area of public liability. Historically, Louise has also been involved in products liability, medical negligence and professional indemnity claims.
Louise has extensive claims management experience. She has provided advice to clients in respect of both statutory and common law claims under the workers’ compensation legislation. Louise has the ability to communicate with a broad range of stakeholders, tailoring communication to the required audience and establishing and building rapport to ensure a professional working relationship to achieve the desired outcome.
In her employment roles outside the legal industry, Louise has worked as a Property Manager for a construction company, Insurance Claims Review Advisor for a superannuation fund and a Regulatory Officer - Compliance for a national regulatory scheme. These roles have given Louise an insight into other industries, including how other organisations work and provided the opportunity to demonstrate an ability to liaise effectively with clients, internal and external stakeholders and service providers.
Experience
- Acting for employer in stress claim brought by high level manager earning approximately $150,000 per annum suffering a nervous break down resulting in permanent total incapacity for gainful employment. Claim complicated by issues of gross misconduct by manager inextricably linked with the cause of injury. Claim resolved by proactive negotiation prior to Notice of Claim being delivered
- Conducted investigations into common law only psychiatric injury claim. Involved statements were obtained from numerous personnel and ultimately provided advice that the claim was one for rejection. Q-Comp upheld rejection and the claimant chose not to appeal that decision. Had the claim proceeded it would have been a significant quantum claim
- Defending a national transport operator whose employee sustained catastrophic injuries in a vehicle rollover. The Queensland Supreme Court action involved a complex factual scenario with claims brought against five defendants including land owners, occupiers, local council, government department and employer. The claim involved various personal injury legislation and dealt with issues of indemnity, liability and contribution, significant expert opinion and medical evidence. The matter proceeded to trial, however, was resolved by negotiation after the first day of evidence - well below the claim reserve
- Acting for a hospital in catastrophic personal injury claim brought by a psychiatric patient who left hospital unannounced and attempted suicide by throwing himself in front of a passenger train
- Acting for an armed security vehicle operator in catastrophic injury claim arising out of bungled hold up of bank during cash delivery resulting in gun fight and profound spinal injury to an innocent bystander. Claim in Queensland Supreme Court settled by negotiation on confidential terms one week out from trial
- Occupier’s liability claim involving profound brain injury to a child arising out of a motor vehicle collision with a push bike on private premises car park. Claim involved contribution issues between occupier and designer of the car park. Claim settled following mediation
Professional Membership
- Queensland Law Society