Don Munro is a Consultant in HWL Ebsworth’s Health group, with decades of experience in medical negligence litigation. He has represented doctors and hospitals in hundreds of claims since the 1980s, including matters before the High Court. Don is known for his deep understanding of the health system and the pressures faced by general practitioners, specialists, and allied health professionals.
He regularly appears in court and mediations, often without counsel, particularly in cerebral palsy and brain damage claims. Don has practised across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and the ACT, and played a key role in developing the Professional Negligence List in the NSW Supreme Court. He is recognised by Best Lawyers™ and Doyle’s Guide for his leadership in health and medical law.
Expertise
Experience
- High Court GP Defence Defended a general practitioner in a High Court claim involving alleged failure to refer an obese patient for bariatric surgery, raising complex causation issues.
- Neurosurgeon Duty Case Acted in a High Court matter where the scope of duty under the NSW Civil Liability Act was clarified in relation to a neurosurgeon’s responsibilities.
- Misdiagnosis Claim Acted in a High Court matter involving the late diagnosis of pregnancy and where the medical centre claimed that a late termination would have been illegal.
- Brain Injury Mediations Regularly appears without counsel in mediations involving brain damage claims, achieving resolution in high-value, sensitive disputes.
