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Our team regularly produces articles and updates on legal developments and the implications for clients. Our latest publications can be viewed below. Alternatively, use the Search function on the left to find the topic of your choice.
Tribunal applies May and finds Armoured Vehicle Driver is no longer entitled to compensation for arm injury
June 22, 2021
Pearson and Prosegur Pty Ltd [2021] AATA 312. Key Points: The Tribunal was asked to decide whether Mr Pearson was entitled to ongoing compensation for incapacity to work and medical treatment expenses, in respect of a soft tissue injury to the left arm. The Tribunal considered the principles in Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission […]
Tribunal finds ATO Analyst suffered burnout and depression from employment
June 22, 2021
Gibson and Comcare [2021] AATA 1183. Key Points: The Tribunal was asked to consider liability for a psychological condition suffered by an analyst for the Australian Taxation Office. The Tribunal found that the reasonable administrative action exclusion did not apply to this claim, and ultimately concluded that the condition was contributed to, to a […]
HBA’s Andrew Lu named on Queen’s Birthday Honours List
June 14, 2021
Congratulations to HBA’s own Dr Andrew Lu for being named on the Queen’s Birthday 2021 Honours List for “significant service to the visual and performing arts, to the law and to legal education”. Dr Lu has been appointed a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia. He is the only Western […]
Typing duties did not aggravate carpal tunnel syndrome
June 3, 2021
Cavanagh and Comcare [2021] AATA 499 Key Points: The Tribunal was asked to consider whether a Customer Service Officer’s pre-existing carpal tunnel syndrome was aggravated by typing duties. The Tribunal found that while the employee may have experienced an increase in her symptoms, there was inadequate evidence to suggest that the employment duties caused […]
False perceptions are not considered contributing factors to psychological condition
June 3, 2021
WNBR and Comcare (Compensation) [2021] AATA 32. Key Points: The Tribunal was asked to consider initial liability for a psychological condition. All that is required is that the employee is exposed to some incident, or state of affairs, in the course of the performance of his/her duties and to which he/she would not otherwise […]
Tribunal applies Prain and finds that decade-long depression is not permanent
May 18, 2021
Bell and Comcare [2021] AATA 832. Key Points: The Tribunal was asked to consider whether a former Customer Service Officer with the Department of Human Services was entitled to compensation for permanent impairment and non-economic loss in respect of her psychological condition. The Tribunal considered whether there was any ongoing contribution from the employment. […]
HBA Legal home to ‘Best Lawyers’
April 22, 2021
Three HBA Legal partners have been named in the 2022 Edition of Best Lawyers. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Lawyers who are nominated for consideration are voted on by those previously in Best Lawyers, who work in the same practice area […]
HBA Legal bolsters insurance team with senior hire
April 6, 2021
MEDIA RELEASE: HBA Legal, part of Crawford & Company®, the world’s largest publicly listed independent provider of claims management and outsourcing solutions, has bolstered its capability across medical malpractice, personal injury and general insurance claims, bringing in well-known Perth litigator Natasha Burn. Burn has over 12 years’ experience in the defendant insurance space, joining HBA […]
Tribunal accepts that ATO employment no longer contributes to mental health problems in worker
March 22, 2021
Karabolovska and Comcare [2020] AATA 5189. Key Points: The Tribunal was asked to consider ongoing liability in respect of a psychological condition, sustained as a result of an abusive phone call from a taxpayer. Medical evidence showed that the employee had significant psychological problems prior to commencing Commonwealth employment. The Tribunal found in favour […]
Federal Court: no general responsibility on employers to rehabilitate injured workers
March 22, 2021
Hooley v Comcare [2020] FCA 1880. Key Points: An employee of the CSRIO claimed that its failure to provide a rehabilitation program caused him to suffer ongoing psychological problems. The Federal Court was asked to consider whether an employing agency has a general responsibility or obligation to provide a rehabilitation program to an injured […]