CLAIMS MANAGEMENT

Our team of dedicated local government specialist Claims Officers are always ready to provide advice and support with all claims related matters.

The combination of our in-house expertise and access to experienced lawyers via our key partners means we’re a determined and industry renowned litigant at no extra cost to Members.

Our resolve to run the right cases has led to landmark decisions which benefit local government Australia-wide. For example, we fought to ensure councils aren’t liable for people diving off cliffs into water of unknown depth (Vairy v Wyong). Councils also no longer get lumbered with contractor negligence thanks to the judicial victory in Montgomery v Leichhardt.

With 24 years’ worth of claims data at our fingertips we are able to access these insights to ensure the best possible outcomes for our Members and for the local government sector as a whole.

Taking a long-term view, we assess the implication of claims on the wider membership and seek amendments where the laws require updating – to protect the interests of all. This is one of our key points of differentiation; through our claims expertise we offer strategic, value-creating support to every Member – as opposed to the purely transactional services of our competitors. We also get our mMember’s involved in the process, so their desired outcome is always considered.

Our claims are managed to benefit Members, not to improve an underwriter’s profit. We appreciate that a commercial result isn’t the only outcome important to our Members.

Below are examples of Liability claims against Statewide Mutual Member Councils. Click on a case study to read case note summaries from our legal team, Mills Oakley lawyers.

Case study 1: Bankstown City Council ats Lisa-Marie Forrester

Case study 2: Albury City Council ats Dylan Streller

Case study 3: Greater Taree City Council ats Donna Tisdell