Connect with meKen is highly regarded as a leading defence lawyer in Western Australia across a broad range of practice areas, with a particular specialisation in injury claims, third party property damage claims, and contractual indemnity and coverage disputes.
Ken has acted in several high-profile catastrophic and fatal accident proceedings across the construction, manufacturing, retail and energy industries, and is regularly sought out by local insureds, brokers and insurers for his pragmatic advice and efficient defence of claims. He also has broader experience across workers liability and statutory insurance lines, which is beneficial when litigating multi-party tort claims, especially when proceedings are against the State and its insurer.
Ken’s secondary area of practice is in institutional abuse matters where he acts for religious institutions and private WA schools. This involves both coverage advice for insurer and direct defence for insured and uninsured organisations. Due to the historical nature of these claims, they require a high level of investigation and precise strategy.
His experience otherwise includes regularly acting as counsel in the Supreme and District Courts, informal conferences, mediations and trials.
Ken actively contributes to educational presentations on injury matters and undertakes pro bono work in Western Australia and nationally.
Personal Injury
- Acting for insurers in multi-party tort claims following injuries and fatalities on mines, construction and industrial sites.
- Representing insureds in response to WorkSafe WA investigations and prosecutions, as well as defending the common law claims that generally follow.
- Acting on behalf of insured retailers and businesses when individuals are injured on their premises, either directly because of the insured’s actions or as a result of a defect with the property.
- Defending historical and institutional abuse claims for a variety of organisations in Western Australia, including religious institutions, WA schools and private care providers.
Property Damage
- Defending claims against energy and transport companies brought by private landowners and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation following the spill of contaminants and toxic material.
- Representing insureds against negligence claims following the destruction of factories and commercial warehouses by fires.
Coverage
- Advising insurers on coverage in response to contractual claims where insureds have agreed to indemnify third parties under contract.
- Assessing coverage in response to breach of contract claims and recoveries sought under workers compensation legislation.
- Advising insurers on policy response in relation to claims involving misrepresentation and non-disclosure, fraud, and the operation of the Insurance Contracts Act 1984.
- Legacy, Sensitive and Complex Claims
- Personal Injury
- Property Damage
- Construction and Infrastructure
- Energy, Mining and Power
- Healthcare and Life Sciences
- Manufacturing and Consumer Goods
- Public Sector and Education
- Retail and Labour Hire
- Sports, Leisure and Entertainment
- Australian Insurance Law Association
- Law Society of Western Australia
- Young Insurance Professionals