We defend and manage workers compensation claims in the Workers Compensation Tribunal and Superior Courts for some of the largest employers in Australia across many industries and all claims types. We understand how important it is for major stakeholders to share a common goal of getting injured employees back to work in the shortest possible time and to protect and preserve the quality of their employment relationship throughout the process. We also understand that disputes may arise and we provide pragmatic and responsive advice to minimise disputation and claims costs. 

There are significant financial and risk management benefits associated with self insurance registration. We have advised numerous companies on attaining and retaining their self insurance licence under both the state scheme and Comcare. We are also experienced in helping self insurers to manage claims appropriately and comply with relevant legislation and the Code of Conduct to reduce the risk of loss of licence or of shortened licence renewals. 

Our specialists advise and act for registered employers in relation to Return To Work SA-related disputes. Many employers are unaware of their rights under the Return To Work Scheme. Our experts help educate employers as to their rights in this area to minimise their claims costs and premium payments. 

We provide advice and representation on work health and safety matters generally and in relation to accident/incident investigations, SafeWork SA investigations and prosecutions. 

We also conduct on-site training for clients and industry stakeholders, and provide strategic claims management, rehabilitation and WHS workshops.

Key Services

  • Advice and representation before the District Court, Supreme Court, Employment Tribunal, Fair Work Commission, Federal Circuit Court, Federal Court and the Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissions
  • Claim reviews
  • Comcare self-insurance feasibility studies and applications
  • Compliance advice
  • Fraud investigations and prosecutions
  • Performance benchmarking and improvement planning
  • Recoveries
  • SA self-insurance applications
  • Self-insurance estimate reviews
  • Strategic advice on complex claims
  • Training and education (design and implementation)
  • Work health and safety investigations and prosecutions

Meet the Team

John Walsh

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Debra Khor

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Ben Duggan

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Jonathan Ikonomopoulos

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Tiffany Walsh

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What Client's Say

I have found DW Fox Tucker’s work absolutely first rate with an emphasis on minimising costs. I have established an extremely good working relationship with John and the rest of the team, and their advices are clear and concise with relevant legal precedents. Their ability to meet legislative time frames and go the “extra yard” to assist our staff in the performance of their legislative duties during the initial stages of our Self-Insurance licence has been a major factor in our successful re-application, and I have always found John and his team available and happy to discuss claims management. I would have no hesitation in recommending their services to any prospective client.

John Dacey

Teys Australia

I have personally worked with John Walsh and his team over the last two decades. Further several of my staff members have routinely engaged with him.

We have collectively found DW’s (Fox Tucker) to be highly professional in their conduct of ‘people risk’ matters. Importantly there is a healthy and realistic pragmatism to their assessment of issues and offering of advice. This translates into ‘good strategy’ either on individual file matters or more strategic issues often involving organisational structures, policy, practice and procedure and resourcing.

They also are very good in working in a collaborative fashion with third party advisor firms like ours. This sees deadlines being met, outcomes being achieved, and clients being satisfied with overall results. 

Personally, I look forward to further engagements with them (and in particular John) into the future. It is always pleasing to have a good support partner alongside!

Robert Wood

Managing Director, RiskTech (Aust) Pty Ltd

As dedicated health and safety practitioners, we seek the services of professionals who are not only the best in their field, but those who share our values and sense of fairness. As long-standing clients of DW Fox Tucker, we have relied on their expertise to resolve complex issues efficiently and ongoing advice to ensure that we as employers understand our obligations in this ever-changing environment, a speciality of this firm. The industry recognition and respect amongst their peers is a testament to the culture and professionalism of the team at DW Fox Tucker, and the support so generously given to South Australian business is reflective of what they stand for.

Craig Hayter and Sue Wolstenholme

Philmac

We first sought the services of William Esau and his team in 2013 to assist with various commercial matters that were important to the continued growth of our business. From the first meeting, we were impressed with not only the professionalism and knowledge of William and his team, but also William’s personable and pragmatic approach. This was very important to our business. On that basis, our relationship has evolved over the years, and we now consider William and the team at DW Fox Tucker Lawyers to be our trusted advisors – using them for commercial, tax, property, employment and workers compensation advice. We have no hesitation in recommending William and his team to anyone seeking clear, concise and commercial advice.

Simon Giessauf

Maritime Constructions Pty Ltd

AV&M has worked with the DW Fox Tucker team for many years on a range of matters including commercial, tax, property, employment, workers compensation and IP and we would have no hesitation in recommending DW Fox Tucker to anyone looking for trusted legal advisors.

Matt Alexander

Advanced Viticulture & Management

We really enjoy working with John Walsh and his team in managing our workers compensation matters. They are professional and practical in working towards achieving our commercial objectives. In addition to their experience, capabilities and excellent client service, we really do value their ongoing accessibility, responsiveness, efficiency and results focused approach. One matter that they completed recently for us resulted in a significant return on investment for our organisation, I genuinely believe that the reason we achieved such a positive outcome was because we had partnered with DW Fox Tucker. I can highly recommend the firm’s services and we will continue to work with them.

Tyson O’Connell

AG Security Group

We needed to finalise the workers compensation claim of a family member that had ended in tragedy. We were angry and grieving over what had happened and were unsure of how to proceed. The other party was hostile and seemed to hold all the cards. John Walsh had been recommended to us by another professional in the workers compensation field. From the very first phone call, John Walsh and his team were professional and approachable every step of the way. We needed to be heard and John’s team took the time to listen to us and keep us informed of processes and steps taken. John and the team navigated what became an emotionally fraught and difficult case. We never felt abandoned, pushed aside, over-ridden or ‘managed’ by anyone in DWFoxTucker. Every person we dealt with from the receptionist, to other members of the legal team and John Walsh himself, was welcoming, respectful and professional. John and his team succeeded and the case outcome was well above and beyond what we hoped for. We thank John Walsh and his team for taking the case on, for being fearless and standing for us when we couldn’t. We cannot commend John Walsh and the team at DW Fox Tucker highly enough.

T Sharrock & L Coleman

I am the South Australian State Manager for Group TeamCover, managing Wesfarmer’s claims management shared service. DW Fox Tucker (formerly Donaldson Walsh) have been providing workers compensation legal services to Wesfarmers since 2005.

John and Patrick Walsh have extensive knowledge and experience and provide exceptional customer service to myself, my team and the many Wesfarmers’ brands. I have utilised John and Patrick’s expertise on specific claims management projects which has assisted with achieving our business outcomes. DW Fox Tucker provide value added services by way of training and newsletters that has positively assisted staff with their technical knowledge. I look forward to the continuing working relationship between Wesfarmers and DW Fox Tucker.

Sofia Mavratzas

Former State Manager SA - Wesfarmers Group TeamCover