Connect with meAlex specialises in construction, property, aviation, trade and transport insurance matters, including complex property damage and personal injury claims.
Alex has developed a deep understanding of the legal issues and practical implications of claims in the property, construction and aviation industries. Alex has defended claims, provided coverage advice, and acted in subrogated recoveries for construction companies, commercial property owners, airlines, airports, ground handlers, maintenance engineers, and their insurers and underwriters.
His experience includes a 9-month secondment at Liberty Specialty Markets where he successfully ran a portfolio of first party property claims.
Alex also acted on appeal in the matter of Garnett v Qantas Airways Ltd [2021] WASCA 110, which is a leading authority in Australia regarding the meaning of ‘agency’ in the context of civil aviation carriers’ liability.
Construction
- Acting for a joint venture of two multinational construction companies and their insurer in relation to the failure of multiple sections of a highway that they were contracted to design and construct.
- Acting for an insurer in relation to the collapse of a house in western Sydney.
- Acting for an insurer and a fire protection services provider in relation to the construction and certification of a fire sprinkler system.
Property
- Acting for a farmer and its insurer regarding the loss of a shed due to a storm.
- Acting for a national Australian retailer and its insurer regarding a pest infestation that caused the loss of stock and lost profit due to the closure of stores.
- Acting for an insurer in relation to the loss of a shed by its insured farmer.
Transport
- Defending a ground handler and its insurers in the Western Australian Court of Appeal in a claim regarding a personal injury that occurred while a passenger was disembarking from an aircraft. The appeal involved a detailed consideration of the Civil Aviation (Carriers’ Liability) Act 1959 (Cth) (CACL) and the meaning of ‘agency’ in this context. The appeal was dismissed and the original decision upheld, which found that the ground handler’s liability was limited by the CACL.
- Acting on behalf of a pilot’s widow, an aircraft’s owner, and their insurers in multi-party proceedings in the New South Wales Supreme Court, following a fatal aviation accident.
- Defending an airline and its insurers in a claim by a passenger’s widow and a workers’ compensation insurer following a fatal aviation accident. The case required a detailed consideration of the Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SA), which prevented the airline from joining any third parties with liability for the accident to the proceedings. Alex negotiated a settlement at an early stage and achieved a $500,000 reduction from the initial amount claimed.
- Defending a ground handler in a claim for the post-accident diminution in value of a private jet and consequential losses.
Personal Injury
- Defending an airport and its underwriters in a multi-party public liability claim.
- Defending an airport and its underwriters in a workplace personal injury claim in line with the Personal Injuries Proceedings Act 2002 (Qld). Alex negotiated the settlement of the claim at a compulsory conference with a contribution on behalf of the airport of $50,000 and a reduction of over $800,000 on the initial amount claimed by the injured person.
- Property – Major Loss
- Subrogated Recoveries
- Construction and Infrastructure
- Energy, Mining and Power
- Industrial and Commercial Property
- Marine and Transport
- Australian Insurance Law Association
- Aviation Law Association of Australia and New Zealand
- Law Society of New South Wales
- Maritime Law Association of Australia and New Zealand