Technical Recoveries Advisor
* $124,535.00 per annum + 12% superannuation
* Full time, ongoing opportunity
* Geelong based role - ad hoc travel to Melbourne and other courts (hybrid – 3 days in office)
About the opportunity
This role sits within WorkSafe’s Dispute Management Division, which has the primary responsibility for the management of common law claims and related litigation; recovery of paid compensation from liable third parties; oversight of claim related litigation generally; and contract management of WorkSafe’s Legal Panel Firms and Cost Consultants.
The purpose of this role is to identify, allocate, instruct, and effectively manage WorkSafe’s recovery of paid compensation under Section 369 of the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013, for a portfolio of matters, from negligent third parties. Specifically, the Technical Recoveries Advisor will be responsible for the assessment, negotiation, management and resolution of claims allocated to Legal Panel firms and internally at WorkSafe.
Key accountabilities
* Strategically identify, from available data, common law application and information (including Claims Agent files), potential recoveries including from TAC and non-TAC related incidents.
* Applying common law principles and legislative requirements, determine the appropriate extent of a third party’s liability to WorkSafe and make informed decisions on the costs/benefits and risks as to whether to pursue recoveries.
* Within the model litigant framework, resolve WorkSafe’s right to recover compensation, including providing appropriate instructions to WorkSafe’s solicitors to resolve claims.
* Manage some claims directly (without external solicitors) and negotiate directly with public liability insurers in order to resolve WorkSafe’s right of recovery.
* Assist in the ongoing development of the recoveries litigation framework to continuously improve legal processes and litigation strategies.
* Liaise with stakeholders to gather critical information and provide instructions to external lawyers, using relevant databases and by attending conferences, mediations and court hearings on behalf of WorkSafe.
* Ensure, maintain, and monitor appropriate compliance by panel firms with relevant databases that track and record third party recoveries.
* Ad hoc travel to Melbourne and other courts as required.
About you
You are a workers compensation claims professional, with an understanding of the Victorian Courts and legal process. Your communication, negotiation and organisational skills are highly developed, and your strong interpersonal skills allow you to establish and maintain effective and collaborative relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
Additionally, you will possess the following skills and experience:
1. Extensive knowledge of recoveries or common law litigation management
2. Demonstrated experience in analysing legal documentation e.g. Statements of Claim and other pleadings, Interrogatories, Affidavits, legal advises etc.
3. Demonstrated experience in the field of workers compensation, particularly as it relates to legislative requirements, application of the WIRCA, ACA, TAA, Wrongs Act, case law and associated litigation processes;
4. Capability to apply legal skills and expertise to design and drive strategic and structural changes within the legal panel to effect efficient outcomes
5. Exercising a high degree of judgement in leading and directing panel firms on legal and procedural aspects of Section 369 Recoveries litigation and using case law appropriately in this area of practice
6. High level strategic, analytical, legal and litigation decision making capabilities
7. Experience in managing legal practitioners through effective legal direction and providing litigation instructions within a complex regulatory environment
8. Sound technical knowledge of the law of negligence in relation to personal injury, and insurance principles including indemnity and dual insurance.
9. Intermediate computer skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access,