NYREE QUIRK

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

Email nquirk@leeandlyons.com.au
Admission Date 8 April 2005

Professional Experience

Nyree joined Lee and Lyons as a Senior Associate in January 2011. She brings with her seven years experience in insurance litigation. Prior to her admission in 2005 she worked in-house at Allianz Workers Compensation (NSW) Limited.

Nyree initially practised in statutory lines and recoveries. She has experience handling claims for both self insurers and scheme agents and has conducted litigation in the Workers Compensation Commission (‘WCC’) and the Dust Diseases Tribunal (‘DDT’).

Nyree has provided training to insurers on claims handling and litigation.

She has experience in litigation and management of CTP claims and has conducted litigation in the Claims Assessment and Resolution Service (‘CARS’) and Medical Assessment Service (‘MAS’).

She has experience in public liability claims involving personal injury and to a lesser extent, product liability and has conducted litigation in the District Court, Supreme Court and the NSW Court of Appeal.

Some examples of Nyree’s experience include:

Workers Compensation

  • Provided advice to insurers and self-insurers to Workers entitlements under the 1926 and 1987 Acts and procedural requirements of both Acts.
  • Advised clients on a broad range of issues including employer’s common law liability for personal injury to Workers and compensation to relatives including nervous shock claims.
  • Provided advice to insurers on employer’s liability policy coverage, dual insurance, contractual indemnity disputes between employers and non-employer tortfeasors.
  • Successfully defended a number of disputes arising under section 17 of the Workers Compensation Act (industrial deafness).
  • Successfully defended a claim for injury on the journey on the basis of serious and wilful misconduct (section 14).
  • Represented a number of labour hire companies and secured contribution and/ or indemnity from host employer/occupiers. 
  • Successfully defended a special leave application to the High Court of Australia made by a Worker who commenced proceedings seven years out of time (S 151D).
  • Conducted Section 151Z recoveries.

CTP

  • Provided advice to a major CTP insurer on policy coverage, dual insurance, sharing and procedure;
  • Defended Section 151Z recovery claims by employers against owners or drivers;
  • Prepared submissions on quantum and schedules of damages for CARS Assessments;

Liability

  • Conducted a 35 day hearing in the Supreme Court of NSW resulting in a $19 million verdict for a catastrophically injured Plaintiff securing a 50% contribution from the Employer and a 20% finding of contributory negligence.
  • Advised on the mental harm provisions of the Civil Liability Act.
  • Advised on the dangerous recreational activity provisions of the Civil Liability Act.
  • Secured contribution or indemnity from employer tortfeasors in claims involving industrial accidents occurring on work sites.
  • Successfully defended a claim for damages against a personal fitness studio.
  • Acted for a boutique insurer of major sporting events/ activities.
  • Defence of occupier claims in relation to personal injury occurring on building sites, shopping centres, and household premises involving contractual indemnities and coverage disputes.
  • Acted in respect of personal injury claims arising in various jurisdictions including Queensland, the ACT and Victoria.
  • Nyree is committed to providing commercial advice for our clients and mitigating awards of damages.

Professional memberships

  • Law Society of NSW
  • Practitioner of the High Court of Australia
  • Australian Insurance Law Association