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Firms look to serve Tathra bushfire victims
Numerous law firms have announced their intention to support victims of the devastating bushfires along the south coast of NSW with potential compensation claims and class actions.
Jerome Doraisamy
Slater and Gordon is looking into a potential class action on behalf of more than 100 residents and property owners impacted by the bushfires in Tathra last week.
“We have seen time and time again how bushfires can tear communities apart, but learning that such devastation could have been avoided adds another level of suffering,” he said.
“The initial investigations are likely to come down to the adequacy of the power pole inspection process, which has been a central issue in many of our other bushfire cases as well as the Victorian Bushfire royal commission.”
Slaters will be closely examining the findings of any inquiry into the fire, the firm said, and is planning to hold community meetings with affected persons.
“We have seen incredible resilience coming out of Tathra this week, but the aftermath of natural disasters is usually very uncertain for those affected,” Mr Walsh said.
“Working out where people stand legally and financially is an important part of rebuilding communities, but it can be incredibly difficult with many left out of pocket.”
Elsewhere, William Roberts Lawyers have teamed up with IMF Bentham to investigate possible claims for compensation.
IMF has invited victims who believe they have suffered loss or damage as a result of the bushfires to provide their details confidentially through their website.
Following this, the firm will follow up to ascertain further information, at which point applicants can discover whether there are any potential legal claims to make.
The Tathra bushfires hit over 1,250 hectares of land last week, destroying at least 100 homes, cabins and caravans, with dozens more suffering damage.
Former federal police commissioner Mick Keelty has been appointed to lead an independent inquiry into the management of the bushfire response.
In addition, there will be an official coronial inquest conducted to formally determine the cause of the fire.
Jerome Doraisamy
Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly. A former lawyer, he has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. He is also the host of all five shows under The Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network, and has overseen the brand's audio medium growth from 4,000 downloads per month to over 60,000 downloads per month, making The Lawyers Weekly Show the most popular industry-specific podcast in Australia. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of Minds Count.
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