Take a deep dive into managing medical negligence claims with this essential seminar covering major reforms, landmark decisions and practical risk insights. Begin with an overview of new Aged Care Act and its implications for providers, practitioners and claims. Examine the High Court’s significant judgment in Stewart v Metro North Hospital and Health Service, exploring how it reshapes damages principles in catastrophic injury litigation. Gain critical guidance on medical indemnity insurance, including mandatory requirements, available cover and the key traps that can expose practitioners and advisers to unexpected liability. Develop your understanding under the guidance of leading experts who will equip you with the knowledge needed for confident, contemporary practice.

Presenters

Lani Carter, Special Counsel, Sparke Helmore Lawyers
Lani Carter, Special Counsel, is an experienced insurance litigator, specialising in Professional Indemnity and Health. Lani leads the aged care practice at Sparke Helmore Lawyers and was appointed to act for aged care facilities in the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety in 2018/2019. Since that time, has provided advice and representation to facilities including in coronial inquests. Lani has been recognised in Best Lawyers in Litigation and is recommended by Doyle’s Guide for her professional indemnity work and was listed as a Rising Star in Insurance by Doyle’s Guide.

Emily Hart, Principal, Arnold Thomas & Becker Lawyers
Emily Hart is a Principal Lawyer and the head of Arnold Thomas and Becker’s Medical Negligence Team. She is an accredited specialist in personal injury law and has worked exclusively in medical negligence for over 15 years. She is also Deputy Chair of the Health Law Committee at the Law Institute of Victoria. She has a particular interest in obstetric, coronial and mental health matters.

Joel Harris, Barrister, Greens List
Joel Harris is a Barrister at the Victorian Bar and is a member of Greens List. Joel maintains a broad common law practice, encompassing: personal injuries, insurance law, medical and professional negligence claims and administrative law. Joel has appeared in a range of matters including damages trials in the County and Supreme Courts, serious injury applications, statutory benefits hearings (WorkCover, Comcare and TAC) and VCAT reviews. He appears in mediations and statutory settlement conferences. Joel is also Consultant and Reporter for the Australian Torts Reports. Joel was called to the Bar of England and Wales in November 2016 and is a member of The Honourable Society of Middle Temple. In London he worked for the Medical Protection Society managing a range of medical negligence claims including delayed treatment, misdiagnosis, surgical error and failure to warn brought against Dentists, General Practitioners, Surgeons and Consultants.

Samuel Pearce, Principal Lawyer, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
Samuel Pearce is a Principal Lawyer of Maurice Blackburn’s medical negligence department in Victoria. He is a Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law and has been listed in the Doyle’s Guide as a Rising Star in Personal Injury Law. Samuel joined the firm in 2008 and has practised exclusively in medical negligence litigation since 2012. Samuel has achieved significant results for individuals who has suffered injuries as a result of poor health care, treatment and/or advice. He has also represented the families of patients who have died following poor medical treatment in coronial investigations and Inquest hearings. Samuel sees clients in the Melbourne, Reservoir, Greensborough and Craigieburn offices. Samuel has also assisted clients in a cases pursued through Maurice Blackburn’s social justice department, including an action brought by Traditional Owners of land in the Northern Territory in relation to a proposal to build a national radioactive waste facility on land known as Muckaty Station. Outside of Maurice Blackburn, Samuel is the President of the charity, BottledSnail Productions Inc: a volunteer-run, not-for-profit company which supports creative arts projects for Victoria’s legal community with the aim of promoting a healthy work-life balance.