David Guthrie is a seasoned insurance lawyer with a practice spanning government litigation and public liability and statutory insurance. He has extensive experience in third party liability claims involving personal injury and property damage, particularly occupier’s liability, as well as motor vehicle and industrial accident damages claims.
David acts across a wide range of industries and premises, including matters involving sports law and emerging issues such as climate change litigation. He advises statutory and private insurers, corporations, and government entities, and acts in all courts and tribunals, including the ART and VCAT. His practice includes WorkCover advice and policy indemnity advice for both statutory and private insurance.
David is known for his clear, practical advice and has been recognised in Best Lawyers™ Australia for Personal Injury Litigation, reflecting his longstanding contribution to the field.
Expertise
Experience
- State of Victoria – Dep of Education Acting in defence of a claim by a school community member injured in the school’s gymnasium.
- Homes Victoria Acting in defence of claims for nervous shock and psychiatric injury arising from violent events at HV premises.
- State of Victoria – Dep of Transport Defending a nervous shock claim arising from an accident allegedly caused by the state of the road.
- State of Victoria – Dep of Health Defending a claim for damages arising from a fallen object at a major Melbourne hospital.
- Transport Accident Commission Acted for V/Line in defence of 3 Supreme Court proceedings arising out of a level crossing collision between a train and truck that resulted in 2 fatalities and catastrophic injury.
- State of Victoria Acted on behalf of Victoria Police in defence of the Black Saturday Kilmore East class action.
- National transport and supply logistics company Acted in defence of proceeding brought be injured worker and recovery proceeding by WorkCover authority arising out of worker’s fall and serious head injury at loading dock.
- Boxing promoter Provided advice to a boxing promoter with respect to insurance and liability issues for planned fights in new venues and for international boxing training trips.
