EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

Lauren has extensive experience defending recovery actions brought by the Victorian WorkCover Authority (VWA) and catastrophic injury claims, and defending public authorities, product manufacturers and maintenance contractors against claims brought by injured workers and plaintiffs under the Wrongs Act 1958.

She regularly provides advice in relation to policy interpretation and coverage disputes, including disputes involving delayed notification of claims and misrepresentation and non-disclosure at policy inception, and claims arising from Royal Commissions. She has also participated in coronial investigations for hospitals and other entities and has experience acting in Royal Commission and inquiries.

Lauren is known for providing clear and succinct advice and ability to deal with complex factual and legal issues. She is also known for her strong negotiation skills and strategic approach to litigation. She has an intimate knowledge of key legislation including the Insurance Contracts Act and has proven experience defending insureds in large-scale multi-party proceedings.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Major matters Lauren has acted and advised in include:

• Acting for a civil engineer in a multi-party Supreme Court proceeding arising from its design of a Creek and the construction of a warehouse on adjoining land. There were four related VCAT proceedings which were issued to determine the claims arising under the Water Act 1989
• Acting for water authorities and maintenance contractors in property damage claims brought in VCAT under the Water Act 1989
• Acting for the insurer of a major building company in claims involving injury to workers on building sites and property damage to adjoining properties
• Defending public authorities and maintenance contractors against claims brought by injured workers and plaintiffs arising from slips, trips and falls on footpaths and roadways due to sunken or broken pit lids, potholes and other hazards
• Defending insureds against damages claims brought by injured workers and claims brought by the VWA seeking recovery of statutory compensation paid to injured workers
• Defending water authorities and government entities against personal injury claims brought under the Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic), including claims involving catastrophic injuries
• Advising and defending hotels and other licensed venues in relation to claims brought by patrons who have been assaulted by other patrons at the venue
• Advising a major insurer on whether there had been misrepresentation and non-disclosure at the time of policy inception, and issues arising from a liquidator’s application to join the insurer to the proceeding. The question of the liquidator’s standing to do so was ultimately determined by the High Court of Australia. Following the High Court’s determination, the coverage issues were determined by the Supreme Court, which upheld the insured’s defences of misrepresentation and non-disclosure
• Participating in several coronial investigations for hospitals and other entities, including an investigation into the death of two young boys from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a defective heater, and the death of an infant with a tracheostomy in foster care
• Providing contract works and professional indemnity insurance advice on policy response for corporate clients.