Michael Poulos | Senior Associate Dip Law (LPAB) 1997 t: 61 (2) 8231 6212 e: michael.poulos@curwoods.com.au   Employers Liability and Latent Diseases

Main areas of practice

Insurance claims resolution with a focus on Workers' Compensation, Common Law (Work Injury Damages), Dust Diseases (Asbestos), public and product liability claims.

Background

Michael has over ten years’ experience advising on personal injury claims.  Michael commenced his career at a private insurance firm where he practised personal injury litigation, representing insurers and also advising employers on Occupational Health & Safety requirements and WorkCover guidelines.  Michael has also handled commercial, property and debt recovery matters.

Michael worked as a lawyer in the Civil Litigation Team for the Australian Government Solicitor for three years, where he had carriage of matters, in particular, Dust Diseases claims, for various government bodies such as the Department of Defence, the Department of Finance and Administration, Australia Post and Comcare.

Experience

Michael’s practice comprises a mix of litigated and advisory files.  He has extensive experience in all facets of litigation and, in particular, Workers' Compensation and Dust Diseases matters.  Michael has provided advice to, and had carriage of matters for, a number of major national employers.  His main strengths include assessing claims quickly and efficiently and employing strategies to mitigate claims and reduce employers’ liabilities.  Michael enjoys a more hands on approach with insurers and employers, providing advice on risk management and safer work practices which minimises the potential of future claims.

Michael has presented at various seminars and conferences on developments in personal injury and industrial law and has also attended various parliamentary meetings in order to discuss all facets of insurance and industrial law.

Michael’s achievements have been a direct result of his ability to appear in litigated claims without Counsel and also his development of highly effective negotiation skills.  He has had conduct of matters which have proceeded to the Court of Appeal and has always achieved excellent outcomes through his experience based judgement on which matters should be settled and which should be run to a determination.

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