Associate / Senior Associate │ Workers Compensation (Plaintiff)

Hooker & Heijden; Sydney; On-site; AUD 108,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Hooker & Heijden in Parramatta seeks an Associate or Senior Associate to lead a workers compensation practice, with exposure to WID and public liability matters. You will manage a file load from initial instructions to resolution, with direct access to the principals and room to grow the practice.

The role focuses on statutory workers compensation, WID, PL disputes, and advocacy before the PIC, with potential for a long-term career in plaintiff work within a collaborative, client-focused firm.

Qualifications

• 3 to 7 years' PQE, admitted in NSW.
• Solid plaintiff workers compensation experience, including PIC matters and IRO funded files.
• Experience in WID, and ideally PL, will be well regarded.
• A sound working knowledge of the Workers Compensation Act 1987, the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 and the Civil Liability Act 2002.
• Able to run a file load from instructions to resolution with a high level of autonomy.
• Confident dealing with clients, insurers, doctors, experts and counsel.
• Wants to build a long term career in plaintiff work.
• A second language will be well regarded, given the firm's diverse client base

Responsibilities

• Running statutory workers compensation claims, including weekly benefits, s60 medical and treatment expenses, and s66 lump sum claims for permanent impairment (WPI).
• Reviewing insurer s78 notices and internal review decisions, and advising clients on disputes.
• Preparing and running matters before the Personal Injury Commission, including Applications to Resolve a Dispute and conciliation and arbitration.
• Preparing IRO (ILARS) funding applications and managing matters within the grant.
• Running WID claims, including assessing whether the impairment threshold is met, preparing pre-filing statements and attending mediation at the PIC.
• Running public liability claims under the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), from liability investigation through to settlement or proceedings.
• Obtaining medical, employment and liability evidence, and briefing medico-legal experts and counsel.
• Conducting settlement negotiations and attending conferences and mediations.
• Giving clients clear, practical advice throughout their claim.
• Practice split: mostly workers compensation, with WID and PL

Skills

Workers compensation

WID

Public liability

PIC matters

Autonomy

Job description

3 to 7 Years PQE │ Parramatta, NSW

About Our Client

Our client is a well established, multi-disciplinary Western Sydney law firm based in Parramatta. Its injury compensation practice acts only for injured people, on a no win, no fee basis, alongside the firm's family law, property and wills and estates practices.

The team includes accredited specialists with long experience, and the firm is known for a personal, client focused approach. It resolves matters efficiently where it can and is prepared to run them to hearing where it needs to.

The Opportunity

Our client is looking for an Associate or Senior Associate to run a workers compensation practice from its Parramatta office, with work injury damages (WID) and public liability (PL) matters alongside. The title will match your experience.

You'll have carriage of your own file load from first instructions through to resolution, with direct access to the firm's principals and the chance to grow the practice.

Your work will include:

• Running statutory workers compensation claims, including weekly benefits, s60 medical and treatment expenses, and s66 lump sum claims for permanent impairment (WPI)
• Reviewing insurer s78 notices and internal review decisions, and advising clients on disputes
• Preparing and running matters before the Personal Injury Commission, including Applications to Resolve a Dispute and conciliation and arbitration
• Preparing IRO (ILARS) funding applications and managing matters within the grant
• Running WID claims, including assessing whether the impairment threshold is met, preparing pre-filing statements and attending mediation at the PIC
• Running public liability claims under the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), from liability investigation through to settlement or proceedings
• Obtaining medical, employment and liability evidence, and briefing medico-legal experts and counsel
• Conducting settlement negotiations and attending conferences and mediations
• Giving clients clear, practical advice throughout their claim
• Practice split: mostly workers compensation, with WID and PL
• Title: Associate or Senior Associate, depending on experience
• Remuneration: up to $180,000 plus superannuation, depending on experience

About You

• 3 to 7 years' PQE, admitted in NSW
• Solid plaintiff workers compensation experience, including PIC matters and IRO funded files
• Experience in WID, and ideally PL, will be well regarded
• A sound working knowledge of the Workers Compensation Act 1987, the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 and the Civil Liability Act 2002
• Able to run a file load from instructions to resolution with a high level of autonomy
• Confident dealing with clients, insurers, doctors, experts and counsel
• Wants to build a long term career in plaintiff work
• A second language will be well regarded, given the firm's diverse client base

What's on Offer

• Carriage of a workers compensation practice with WID and PL exposure
• Associate or Senior Associate title, depending on experience
• Direct access to the firm's principals
• A personal, client focused firm based in Parramatta
• A role in growing the injury compensation practice