Are same-sex couples treated differently if they split up?
PLEASE NOTE, RYAN CARLISLE THOMAS NO LONGER OFFERS FAMILY LAW SERVICES. FOR REFERRAL INFORMATION, CONTACT THE LAW INSTITUTE OF VICTORIA. WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.
Legal Blog.
Redundancy: Will an ‘exit medical’ affect my WorkCover claim?
You might be facing redundancy and have been asked to sit an “exit medical” by your employer. Do you have to comply? And if you
Woman wins right to sue police over family violence
PLEASE NOTE, RYAN CARLISLE THOMAS NO LONGER OFFERS FAMILY LAW SERVICES. FOR REFERRAL INFORMATION, CONTACT THE LAW INSTITUTE OF VICTORIA. WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.
Overseas marriages pose issues for family law courts here
PLEASE NOTE, RYAN CARLISLE THOMAS NO LONGER OFFERS FAMILY LAW SERVICES. FOR REFERRAL INFORMATION, CONTACT THE LAW INSTITUTE OF VICTORIA. WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.
8 considerations for determining the success of a TAC compensation claim
What personal factors impact TAC compensation claims? 1. Age As a general rule, the older you are, the less you’ll get. For example, in a
WorkCover and employment rights after 52 weeks of payments
A common question that clients receiving weekly payments of compensation for a WorkCover injury ask is “What happens to my employment after I have been
WorkCover, TAC and Centrelink
Unfortunately for some of our clients, and injured people in general, by the time they receive a lump sum settlement in their claim, they have
What to do if you don’t lodge a WorkCover claim immediately
We often see workers who have sustained an injury at work but who did not lodge a WorkCover claim (‘a claim’) immediately. Often this is
What is an ‘Overarching Obligations Certificate’ and when will I need to sign one?
Since 1 January 2011 it has been a requirement in Victoria that any party to a civil proceeding – such as a WorkCover or TAC
WorkCover and employment rights after 52 weeks of payments
A common question that clients receiving weekly payments of compensation for a WorkCover injury ask is “What happens to my employment after I have been
Airbnb and rentals – what happens if someone gets injured?
Airbnb has exploded in popularity in Australia, where even a small country town can have nearly 100 listings. This has brought with it great benefits
Bringing a claim in negligence for abuse at school
Trinity Grammar has come under the spotlight recently, after allegations were made against four of its teachers of child sexual abuse occurring in the 1970s. We act
What you need to know before claiming under the National Redress Scheme
What you need to know before claiming under the National Redress Scheme Because of the limitations on payments within the Redress Scheme, most people who
Are Uber Eats and Deliveroo riders covered if injured?
A lot more bike riders are delivering food for ‘gig economy’ firms like Uber Eats and Deliveroo, and that in turn is leading to a
Total and Permanent Disability claims. You must meet the definition
People who are unable to work due to physical or mental incapacity or illness may be able to access insurance entitlements attached to their superannuation
How the new Sexual Abuse Redress scheme is not working
The Commonwealth Government’s sexual abuse redress scheme has now been operating since 1 July 2018 and we’ve learnt something already. Payments are assessed under a
Can private recordings be used as evidence in Family Law proceedings?
Some marriage separations are amicable, and many are not. As family lawyers, we’re often asked by our clients whether recording conversations, with their former partners,
Celebrating 40 years of community service with IMCL
Some of our legal team are looking forward to celebrating 40 years of Inner Melbourne Community Legal (IMCL) at the Melbourne Town Hall this evening. Formerly the
Why do lawyers want my medical records?
Anyone who has been injured and is seeking compensation should be asked by their lawyer to sign authorities enabling the lawyer to obtain full copies
New Family Law court expected to slash client wait times
PLEASE NOTE, RYAN CARLISLE THOMAS NO LONGER OFFERS FAMILY LAW SERVICES. FOR REFERRAL INFORMATION, CONTACT THE LAW INSTITUTE OF VICTORIA. WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.
What to do if you disagree with a WorkCover insurer’s decision
If you have a WorkCover claim, and the WorkCover insurer has made a decision that you don’t agree with, it is important that you are
Annual leave now accrues while on WorkCover payments
Injured workers have recently gained the additional financial protection of being able to accrue annual leave while on WorkCover. Two cases heard by the Fair
Injured parties must know about critical time limits for personal injury claims
Plaintiffs are sometimes unaware of the time limits to bring personal injury claims and find out all too late. Their claims are statute barred unless
Can you claim TPD whilst on WorkCover?
Regular readers of our blog will know that anyone who suffers an incapacity for work as a result of work-related injury will be entitled to
Catholic Church has $30 billion. What about redress?
A recent investigation undertaken by the Age has revealed that the Catholic Church currently owns real estate and other assets in Australia to the estimated
I am owed backpay and super – what are my legal rights?
Workers in hospitality and aged care at risk Whether you pursue a back pay claim will depend on the size of your claim, how much
Unfair dismissal: who can sue and what to do?
You can sue for unfair dismissal generally if you are an award employee. If you’re not an employee covered by an award, then you generally
To litigate or not to litigate? The Federal Redress Scheme
Update on the Commonwealth’s response to child abuse As the Commonwealth Government’s Redress scheme continues to be debated, we address a question that many clients
How can my super fund help if I’m ill or injured?
In the event that you become seriously ill or injured it’s really important to have a look at your superannuation fund, because there may be
I’ve been discriminated against at work. What can I do?
If you think you’ve suffered discrimination at work, you might be able to sue for compensation for financial loss and for pain and suffering. You
Are casuals and workers on visas covered by WorkCover?
Given the reduction in the number of full time jobs, more and more people in industry and certainly in hospitality are working as casuals. Increasingly
How to calculate weekly WorkCover payments
Calculating WorkCover weekly benefits or payments can be tricky. There are also some pitfalls, depending on when you choose to attend medical appointments. Here is
The right to know, parentage and legal considerations around sperm donation
PLEASE NOTE, RYAN CARLISLE THOMAS NO LONGER OFFERS FAMILY LAW SERVICES. FOR REFERRAL INFORMATION, CONTACT THE LAW INSTITUTE OF VICTORIA. WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.
If I make a TPD claim, will it affect my super?
I am often met with concern from clients who wish to access the insurance benefits, such as Total and Permanent Disablement (TPD), attached to their
Child abuse in the Catholic Church: Here are the statistics
Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse hearings One of the many useful functions performed by the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse has been the
If I am paid cash in hand, am I covered by WorkCover if injured?
Many people who are paid cash in hand while working and are then injured ask me if they are still covered by WorkCover. The short
Owner drivers – are you covered by WorkCover?
Many owner drivers are confused as to whether they are covered by WorkCover. If you are an owner driver who is not an independent business
Fair, simple and generous? Queries remain for abuse compo
In announcing a Commonwealth-led compensation scheme for survivors of institutional sexual abuse yesterday, Social Services Minister Christian Porter said the scheme would be fair, simple
How can I sue an individual for abuse or injury? Is it worth it?
Many people are aware that institutions such as government departments, businesses and religious bodies can be sued for damages for personal injury. What’s less known
You can choose your own doctor for WorkCover treatment
You do not have to be treated by the company’s doctor of choice. You can choose your own GP. Not only do you have the
‘All it takes for bad things to happen is for good people to do nothing’
The evidence of Bishop Brian Finnigan, former priest from the Diocese of Ballarat and current Auxiliary Bishop of Brisbane, was under scrutiny today at the
Archbishop Hart and survivors continue harrowing evidence at Royal Commission
Case Study 35 of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse resumed today with an investigation into the abhorrent sexual abuse of
What to do if your employer won’t let you claim WorkCover
If you are injured at work, there are laws to protect your rights. This is why almost all Victorian employers have WorkCover insurance. In fact,
The details behind record $1 million school abuse decision
Court rules school “directly liable” for abuse due to the extent of power and control given to the perpetrator Hadassa Erlich, a victim of sexual
Winlaton abuse survivor tells Royal Commission of sexual abuse and “triads”
A former resident of the Victorian children’s institution Winlaton has given evidence of sexual abuse and forced group counselling programs known as “triads” to the
Former Turana wards tell Royal Commission of horrifying abuse
Three ex-residents of the former Victorian government-run youth institution Turana have told of the physical, psychological and sexual abuse they experienced in state care to
“There is no medicine that will cure trauma”; Sexual abuse health expert
A week into Royal Commission public hearings in Ballarat, a sexual abuse health expert gave compelling evidence on the pervasive effects of child sexual and
Child abuse by Catholic nuns examined at Australian and Northern Ireland inquiries
Children abused while living in the care of two well-known Catholic orders are having their stories recorded by the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Child
What a $1.3m compo stress payment for teacher Doulis really means
When Victorian schoolteacher Peter Doulis was awarded nearly $1.3m in damages in September, the story attracted star billing in the media. You could almost hear
Bye bye bank cheque – hello electronic conveyancing
The frustration of having to pay and provide bank cheques when buying or selling property and waiting for them to clear for settlements is nearly
If my employer asks for a medical assessment, what are my rights as the employee?
According to media reports, injured workers are increasingly being forced to undergo irrational medical examinations. Sometimes their employers even attending medical appointments with them. So,
The “Drive to Work” licence: Dispelling the Myth
There seems to have been a recent spike in the number of people who have been convicted of driving offences and lost their driving licence
House and contents insurance may also cover public liability claims outside the home
In Public Liability claims, it often appears on investigation that the wrongdoer is penniless and the injured client has to be told that it is
Will there be anything left for me when the lawyers are done? Questioning your legal fee agreement can reduce your legal costs.
I’ve been in practice for 8 years as a plaintiff lawyer, mainly representing clients who have been injured at work or on the road and
Litigation has failed the victims of institutional abuse
It’s time the Government set up a compensation fund. On 16 November 2009, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologised to Forgotten Australians and to the
Our usual Blog authors are lawyers employed by Ryan Carlisle Thomas and/or its associated entity, Stringer Clark.
From time to time, we may also publish blogs authored by other staff members or guest bloggers. Where this is the case, it will be made clear. Any advice applies to Victorian State law as at the date of first publication. The information is a general guide only and is not a substitute for legal advice applicable to a user’s own circumstances.
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