Bruce McLean

As an Accredited Specialist in personal injury law, Bruce uses his many years’ experience to provide strong pre- and post-dispute advice on workers compensation and employer’s liability claims. His work focuses particularly on finding strategies for clients who face psychological injury claims.

Bruce understands the financial pressure often involved in workers compensation and work injury claims. So he analyses each case thoroughly and then uses his strong negotiation skills to reach better, most cost-effective outcomes.

 

What Bruce’s clients say

“Bruce is a result-orientated professional who has a major interest in his customer’s result. I would never hesitate to consult with Bruce on workers compensation matters.” – Greg Byrne

 

Qualifications/Memberships

• Accredited Specialist (Personal Injury Law)

• Diploma in Law (LPAB)

• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40110)

• Trainer & Assessor (St John Ambulance NSW)

• Member Law Society of NSW

• Member Australian Insurance Law Institute

• Co-author of Workers Compensation Law & Practice in NSW 3rd edition (CCH)

Specialist Accreditation is a structured peer to peer assessment process enabling legal practitioners to be recognised for their expertise.  To be accredited specialists they must pass a series of meticulous assessments on both legal knowledge and its application in practice. To retain their accreditation specialists must undertake significant additional professional development in their area of expertise each year.

A word from Bruce

"For me it is about having a genuine investment in the client, the problem or issue, and the outcome. I was involved in a Supreme Court claim involving the death of a young woman in a horse riding accident while she was undertaking a training course. It involved a number of parties and many legal complexities. But the complexities that were the most difficult to negotiate were the feelings and emotions of the people involved.

To understand my client’s - the training organisation’s - concerns, I met with many people throughout the organisation. But I also met with the family of the young woman to understand their feelings and concerns, so that I could explain these to my client in a meaningful and productive way. I had to negotiate the barriers of a solicitor for one party who took a wholly obstructive approach. I was very pleased to have been able to ‘broker’ a settlement (which included a formal face to face apology amongst other things). When it was over, I was proud to have been thanked for my efforts, not only by my own client but also by the family of the young woman and their solicitor."

 

Career highlights

• Advising on workers compensation claims arising from the Thredbo Landslide disaster and managing a recovery action by the employer’s workers compensation insurer.

• Advising the State Rail Authority on potential workers compensation issues and liabilities following the Waterfall train derailment.

• Advising NSW TAFE Commission on claims arising from exposure to toxic chemical waste in the workplace.

• Successfully representing NSW Maritime in resolving claims over allegations of corruption and improper conduct brought by former members of its legal department.

• Working with WSLHD and Employers Mutual Ltd on an early intervention pilot program for managing psychological injury claims to reduce the incidence and cost of claims.

• In 2016, 2018 - 2021, Doyle's Guide listed Bruce as a Leading Lawyer in NSW in the area of Workers Compensation (Defendant).

 

Specific areas of focus

• Workers compensation

• Industrial accident law

• Insurance law