Friday, 6 March 2026
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is based on VIC legislation
* This interactive online recording includes questions and quizzes requiring critical thinking about the topics, so you have no annual limits to the number of points/hours you can claim with this format of learning. Please verify with your CPD rules
Choice, Amenity and the Compensatory Principle: Damages in Catastrophic Injury Claims and the Significance of Stewart v Metro North Hospital and Health Service [2025] HCA 34
The High Court’s decision in Stewart v Metro North Hospital and Health Service [2025] HCA 34 provides important guidance on the assessment of damages in catastrophic injury claims. This session examines the Court’s treatment of the compensatory principle, with particular focus on issues of choice, amenity, and the assessment of future care and support needs. Gain practical insights into the implications of this landmark decision for health law and personal injury practitioners advising clients and assessing damages.
Presented by Samuel Pearce, Principal Lawyer, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
Chair
Abhi Mukherjee, Barrister, Greens List
Presenters
Abhi Mukherjee, Barrister, Greens ListAbhi Mukherjee is a barrister on Greens List. Prior to joining the Victorian Bar in 2013, Abhi was a barrister in London for over 10 years practising in personal injury, medical negligence, inquests and medical disciplinary work. Following his move to Melbourne, Abhi has continued to specialise in these areas. In addition, he has been involved in judicial review proceedings mostly involving medical panels. Examples of Abhi's recent medical negligence cases include the onset of severe disability occasioned by compartment syndrome after robotic surgery; the psychiatric consequences to parents following a neo-natal death and the delayed diagnosis of cancer. Abhi has appeared in a number of coronial inquests which have involved deaths following care in intensive paediatric units; post-surgical deaths and those involving patients released from psychiatric units. Abhi has a particular interest in the management of expert evidence in the course of civil litigation and in the workings of the Civil Procedure Act 2010.
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 recognised by the Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Lawyer (Recommended) in Medical Negligence. 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 is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria’s Public Liability and Medical Negligence Committee and the Australian Lawyer’s Alliance Victoria Committee.
