With more than 8 years’ experience, Maria has developed extensive litigation experience across all jurisdictions, including the Supreme, County, Magistrate courts, VCAT and the Administrative Appeals tribunal.
She is experienced in all areas of personal injury and property damage disputes. Formerly with a plaintiff firm, Maria handled a fast paced and uniquely varied practice including public liability, transport accident, Workcover and Comcare matters. Her experience in both plaintiff and defendant personal injury law lends expertise to her negotiations and file handling.
Maria advises insurers on both unlitigated and litigated claims, ranging from indemnity coverage to liability, quantum, and contribution disputes. She remains undeterred from complex, multi-party insurance disputes and strives to achieve the best possible, cost-effective result for her client.
Experience
- Running high volume hearings across all jurisdictions, including defending a lengthy County Court jury trial in a public liability matter where Maria achieved a ‘no negligence’ outcome for her client.
- Appearing against Counsel at mediations, settlement conferences and interlocutory hearings in a range of personal injury (both physical, psychiatric and nervous shock claims) and property damage disputes
- Defending host employers and occupiers in complex multi-party workplace litigation including worker common law claims and statutory recovery claims brought by the Victorian Workcover Authority.
- Acting for various building contractors in construction matters involving personal injury, property damage and subrogated recovery.
- Acting on behalf of domestic occupiers in defence of claims arising from dog attacks
- Acting for insurers and insureds in a variety of public liability litigation involving personal injury sustained at shopping centres, restaurants, leased premises and retail stores.
- Defending claims arising from alleged intentional torts including assault and battery.
- Defending claims arising out of breaches of the Australian Consumer Law for both personal injuries and property damage.
Memberships
- Women in Insurance
- Law Institute of Victoria