Our team
Barbara Nance Ames
Partner
- Telephone:
- (02) 8297 5900
- Facsimile:
- (02) 8297 5999
- Email:
- barbara.ames@ellison.com.au
Barbara is a Partner of the firm who has specialised in personal injury litigation for 30 years, including both workers compensation claims and Common Law claims.
Barbara has considerable expertise and experience in the operation of the New South Wales Workers' Compensation Act 1987 and the Workplace Injury Management Act 1998.
Barbara is one of the few practising solicitors in New South Wales with expertise in long tail claims and liability issues under the old Workers Compensation Act 1926.
She has an exceptional grasp of the corporate history of many leading companies, particularly in the manufacturing sector, and of the indemnity issues for their insurers. Her corporate knowledge has been invaluable in a range of matters.
She also handles pre-1989 government claims for the NSW Self Insurance Corporation arising from the Government Workers Fund. These claims can present significant practical challenges around the lack of files, absence of electronic records, changes in the legal entity, and disappearance or privatisation of the government department or agency.
Having seen extensive change in the workers compensation laws over many years, Barbara understands and has advised clients on savings and transitional arrangements in relation to benefits, indemnity and the changes in insurance structure since 1987.
She has a sound knowledge of the overlap of the workers compensation legislation in other States (and the Commonwealth) with the New South Wales legislation, and has conducted cases involving trans-border issues.
Barbara also has a substantial Common Law practice, including damages and motor accidents claims, with a particular expertise in advising on fatality claims.
As part of her practice, she regularly updates clients on legislative changes and developments in case law, including the impact of these on claims management.
Barbara joined the firm in 1979 and became a Partner in 1990. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from University of Sydney and has been accredited by the Law Society as a Personal Injury Law Specialist since 1998.