Our team
James Steven Vrettos
Partner
- Telephone:
- (02) 8297 5900
- Facsimile:
- (02) 8297 5999
- Email:
- jim.vrettos@ellison.com.au
James has 22 years of specialist workers compensation and personal injury litigation experience that is widely recognised within the legal, insurance and business communities.
As a partner in one of the State’s leading respondent firms, James has built a substantial practice at Ellisons in workers compensation and Common Law personal injury litigation in the Workers Compensation Commission, and the District and Supreme Courts of New South Wales.
James has personally handled workers compensation and personal injury negligence claims arising out of industrial accidents for some of the largest employers in the State in a broad range of industries and sectors including aged care, recruitment and labour hire, packaging, food & beverage, glass and local government.
James has developed a unique claims management consultancy, advising employers on how to reduce their costs whilst fulfilling their legal obligations within a changing regulatory environment.
He also advises on industrial relations matters related to outstanding employee workers compensation claims, including ongoing employment issues.
At the forefront of the rapidly emerging area of psychological injury claims, he represents employers in mental health claims under the Workers Compensation Act arising from disciplinary action and redundancy, and advises on the eligibility for compensation of such claims.
During a six-year period employed at the NSW WorkCover Authority, including as Acting Manager of the Legal Branch, James was involved in the defence of litigated claims, the prosecution of employers, legislative drafting of amendments, ministerial submissions and written advice to the executive.
He is committed to making the workers compensation scheme work fairly and effectively, and provides training and seminars to employers and insurers on both their workers compensation and occupational health and safety obligations.
James joined the firm in 1992, was appointed an Associate in 1996 and a Partner in 1998. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law from the University of New South Wales.