The 2019 Novel Coronavirus has now been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO) – only the sixth time the WHO has made such a declaration. An international event of this size and complexity carries a range of insurance risks. While impacts on some lines of insurance remain […]
We are pleased to share our latest Legalign Global thought leadership publication, Informed Insurance: 2020 Predictions, which has been launched in our region today. Aimed at supporting the global insurance market in preparing for the opportunities and challenges ahead, the report includes over 80 predictions by senior lawyers at the Legalign Global alliance firms, including Wotton […]
Polglase v Coffs Harbour City Council (No 2) [2019] NSWSC 1848 On 19 December 2019, the NSW Supreme Court gave judgment in a complex case involving multiple defendants, which followed a tragic accident involving a young child who fell from a jetty. Wotton Kearney acted for the State of NSW in its successful defence of […]
The recent Full Federal Court of Australia decision, Australian Red Cross Society v Queensland Nursing Union of Employees [2019] FCAFC215, serves as a timely reminder of the importance of “decision maker” evidence in adverse actions claims. In this update, Wotton Kearney’s Chris Mossman and Lisa Schumacher look at employers’ exposures around decision makers and ways insureds […]
On 9 December 2019, the NSW Court of Appeal granted a permanent stay of proceedings, as sought by an institutional defendant in a matter involving historic child sexual abuse claims. This decision confirms there is scope to obtain a permanent stay where the lack of evidence would unfairly prejudice the defendant. In this article, Meisha […]
On 25 October 2019, The Victorian Court of Appeal found a claimant does not need to establish they have a “significant injury” to claim general damages if they allege they are the victim of an “intentional act that was done with intent to cause death or injury or that is sexual assault or other sexual […]
In this case, Judge Fagan of the NSW Supreme Court assessed damages for a man who suffered a psychological injury following historic child sexual abuse. As a result of the abuse, the plaintiff suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, medication-related obesity and other related health issues. The defendant had previously plead guilty to related […]
The Supreme Court of Queensland has dismissed an application under s48(5A) of the Limitation of Actions Act 1974 (Qld) to set aside a Deed of Settlement regarding institutional child sexual abuse, on the basis that it was not “just and reasonable” to do so. This judgment bodes well for institutions and their insurers facing re-opening […]
As the rollout of the NDIS nears completion, insurers and defendants need to understand their obligations regarding Preliminary Notices and Recovery Notices as non-compliance is a criminal offence. Wotton Kearney’s Hope Saloustros and Laura Jean consider these implications of the NDIS for insurers – as well as the reporting obligations and the NDIA’s broad powers […]
Welcome to Wotton Kearney’s snapshot of the key trends and emerging risks in general liability insurance in Australia. In this edition we look at the impact of recent significant matters, including the Lacrosse cladding fire litigation conducted by our Melbourne team, the ongoing risk of concussion claims and prison authority liability claims. We also look […]
