Shamini Patel

Special Counsel

T: +61 (0) 8 9265 6027
shamini.patel@hbacrawford.com.au

Experience

Shamini has over nine years experience in WA workers’ compensation law.  Initially spending four years on the plaintiff side of personal injury, working for firms including Separovic Injury Lawyers and Shine Lawyers, Shamini then moved into the defendant space.  She therefore clearly understands both sides of the negotiating table.

Shamini joined HBA Legal in mid-2020, coming from Sparke Helmore where she also worked primarily in the area of workers’ compensation.

She graduated from Murdoch University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce in Management.

Expertise

At HBA, Shamini works across WA workers’ compensation matters with Partner Ruth Slater.

She provides strategic advice to insurers and employers with respect to liability, principal’s indemnity and third-party recovery, quantum and claims management.  She is skilled in giving advice and strategy recommendations in the management of claims; representing insurers and employers in conciliation conferences and arbitration proceedings in the dispute resolution directorate WorkCover WA; advising with respect to, and attending, settlement conferences; as well as conducting negotiations through correspondence.

She is particularly experienced in dealing with stress claims on the plaintiff and defendant sides and therefore has useful insights from both perspectives which she regularly draws on in her everyday practice with these types of matters. Shamini also has extensive experience assisting employers with reviewing entitlements to weekly payments of compensation under section 60, 61 and 62 of the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 (WA).

Why clients like her …

Shamini keeps calm in all situations, providing clients with well thought-out and strategic guidance. She engages tactfully with opponents to achieve the desired outcome. Clients enjoy Shamini’s friendly demeanour and feel confident in her strong attention to detail.