Dominic Cook

Partner

WorkCover

Married, with a child and a mortgage etc., life seems pretty normal. Scratch the surface a little, and there is a lot more to this individual than other solicitors in a "similar" situation.

At Wisewould Mahony he leads a team which acts for the VWA and the TAC, conducting public liability recoveries on behalf of these statutory insurers. Accidents relating to such claims arise from an enormous variety of situations. From standard car accidents, this leads to claims involving animals (including horses). Chemical exposure, building collapses and liability of overseas manufacturers (U.S., Italy, Japan, Panama and Ireland are all places where 138 Writs have been served) are part of the less-than-standard fare for this work.

Dominic has been involved in many of the cases which have set out the law in Victoria for Section 138 of the Accident Compensation Act 1985, in both the Victorian Court of Appeal, and the High Court.

In particular, Dominic has expertise in cases involving horses, particularly concerning such factors as the appropriate standard of care in relation to training tracks, fencing, gate latches, the handling of horses in and around public areas, as well as racetrack falls. This area of work was spawned by his lifelong interest in horse and horse riding/competition. Prior to his family, Dominic competed in eventing, dressage and polo, and whilst he has been unable to maintain these interests of late, he has bred some horses, with a view to returning to competition in a few years' time.

Olympic and World Equestrian Games Selection Appeals have been successfully prosecuted on behalf of riders. In such situations, experience with the process and the sport is put to good use when preparing arguments on behalf of riders.

After hours, he runs a sheep (fine wool) and cropping farm near Geelong, and works on the farm every weekend, doing all the jobs that need to be done on a farm.

In reviewing my CV, there were three lines at the end which I am not minded to change. They are:

"I love my work. I can never understand how people complain about having to go to work. Maybe I am just lucky in having found a niche in a young and vibrant firm such as Wisewould Mahony."