Biography

Biography

Scott has acted on behalf of clients who have suffered injury in New South Wales since 1988. He was admitted as a Solicitor in 1992 and became a partner of the practice in 1997. He was accredited by the Law Society of New South Wales as a Personal Injury Law Specialist in 1996.

In 1996, Scott was appointed by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority to the panel of specialist solicitors to provide advice to catastrophically injured children. He is also a member of the Australian Lawyers Alliance.

Expertise

His particular areas of expertise include:

Associations

  • Law Society of NSW
  • Australian Lawyers Alliance
  • American Trial Lawyers Association
  • Motor Accident Authority Committee for Catastrophically Injured Children
  • New South Wales Rugby Union Judicial Officer
  • Member of Australia Lawyers

Career History

  • BPC since 1993
  • Flannery Mura & Costello 1988-1992

Qualifications

Professional Qualifications

  • 1992 Diploma in Law – Solicitors Admission Board
  • 1992 Admitted in Supreme Court of NSW
  • 2004 Admitted in High Court of Australia

If you think you have a claim that you would like Scott to handle, please call us on (02) 8280 6900 or contact us online.

Awards

Industry Awards

  • Preeminent Work Injury Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) – Australia, 2020;
  • Leading Public Liability Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) – Australia, 2020;
  • Recommended Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) – Australia, 2020;
  • Leading Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) – NSW, 2019;
  • Leading Work Injury Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) – NSW, 2019;
  • Leading Work Injury Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) – New South Wales, 2018;
  • Recommended Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) – New South Wales 2018;
  • Leading Work Injury Compensation Lawyer (Plaintiff) – New South Wales, 2017;
  • Recommended Public Liability Compensation Lawyer (Plaintiff) – NSW, 2016;
  • Recommended Medical Negligence Lawyer (Plaintiff) – NSW, 2016;
  • Recommended Work Injury & Accident Compensation Lawyer (Plaintiff) – NSW, 2016; and
  • Leading Motor Vehicle Accident & Injury Compensation Lawyer (Plaintiff) – Sydney, 2015.

The Best Lawyers for 2022 – 14th Edition of The Best Lawyers™ in Australia

  • Scott Hall-Johnston was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in the 14th Edition of The Best Lawyers™ in Australia for his work in Personal Injury Litigation, Sydney, Australia.

Best Lawyers 2022

The Best Lawyers for 2021 – 13th Edition of The Best Lawyers™ in Australia

  • Scott Hall-Johnston was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 13th Edition of The Best Lawyers™ in Australia for his work in Personal Injury Litigation, Sydney, Australia.

The Best Lawyers for 2020 – 12th Edition of The Best Lawyers™ in Australia

  • Scott Hall-Johnston was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 12th Edition of The Best Lawyers™ in Australia for his work in Personal Injury Litigation, Sydney, Australia.

Community 

  • Scott was a volunteer lifesaver at Palm Beach
  • Scott has volunteered at the Redfern Legal Centre
  • Scott has served on the board of his local primary school from 2012
  • Scott is a former judiciary member of Suburban Rugby Union

Contact Scott

Contact Scott Hall-Johnston

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How Scott Can Help You

Accredited Specialist Personal Injury Law (NSW)

Road Accidents

If you have been injured in a road accident, either as a driver/rider, passenger or pedestrian it’s likely that you will be entitled to compensation.

Work Accidents

If you have been injured at work, on your way to or from work, you may be entitled to compensation.

Public Accidents

If you have been injured in a public place (shopping centre, hotel, gym etc) because of the negligence of the owner it’s likely that you will be able to make a claim.

Medical Negligence

We can help you seek compensation if you have suffered injury as a result of a medical opinion or procedure that was or went wrong. Very strict time limits apply in these matters.

Superannuation Claims

If injured at work, you may also be able to make a claim through your superannuation account.

Product Liability

If you suffer an injury as a result of some goods or products which you feel may have been the fault of the manufacturer or distributor, you may be entitled to compensation.

Articles by Scott

The Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 changed the way in which compensation is payable for injuries suffered in motor vehicle accidents. Previously, the Court would award a ‘once and for all’ payment that included compensation for past and future losses. The common law scheme was changed slightly by the Motor Accidents Compensation Act which provided that the insurer was required to pay for medical expenses as and when they were incurred. The new legislation however breaks the scheme essentially into two parts. Statutory payments which cover medical expenses and care are payable straight away. There is also a weekly payment of compensation payable for some income earners who are unfit for work. That part of the scheme is readily accessible and efficient. The second component to the scheme is a claim for damages. Damages are only payable when the injured party is not mainly at fault in the accident and has suffered a non-minor injury. The damages that are available are past and future economic loss including loss of superannuation benefits and loss of profit. A claim for pain and suffering can also be made provided that the injuries have caused a whole person permanent impairment of greater than 10%. Section 6.14 of the Act states that a claim for damages cannot be made before the expiration of 20 months after the motor vehicle accident. There is however an exception to this rule and that is where the injuries have caused a degree of permanent impairment that is greater than 10%. It is difficult to understand why the legislature would wish to have claims delayed. When the legislation was passed, the government fiercely advocated that claims should be dealt with quickly and that the scheme was set up to have claims resolved without delay. We are, quite frankly, at a loss to understand the reason why this section has been included. Whilst the exception (that is, where the impairment is greater than 10%) may seem to be helpful, it is unlikely to be of great assistance. A whole person permanent impairment cannot be assessed until medical treatment has finished and the injuries have stabilised. Stabilisation requires that the condition is not likely to change by more than 3% in a twelve month period. Therefore, an assessment of the injuries being over the threshold is unlikely to take place until at least a year after the accident and more often until at least 18 months after the accident. The effect of the section therefore is to delay a claim for damages in almost all circumstances. It is unfortunately the case that a damages claim cannot be made until, in most cases, 20 months after the accident has occurred and cannot be settled until two years after the accident. If you would like further advice about your rights or you would like to discuss your situation, please contact one of the lawyers at Beilby Poulden Costello.

Why Do I Have to Wait 20 Months to Pursue My Motor Accident Damages Claim?

The Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 changed the way in which compensation is payable for injuries suffered in motor vehicle accidents. Previously, the Court would award a ‘once and for all’ payment that included compensation for past and future losses.  The common law scheme was changed slightly by the Motor Accidents Compensation Act which provided… Read More »Why Do I Have to Wait 20 Months to Pursue My Motor Accident Damages Claim?

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What You Need to Know About Psychological Injury, A Common Workers’ Compensation Claim

What You Need to Know About Psychological Injury, A Common Workers’ Compensation Claim

Society now has a much better understanding of mental health issues than it once did.  We have a better understanding of the effect that harassment, bullying, discrimination or changes in job responsibilities can have and we can discuss these issues in a compassionate and understanding way. Fortunately, as a result, we are now better equipped… Read More »What You Need to Know About Psychological Injury, A Common Workers’ Compensation Claim

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What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do

What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?

Billboards and ads on the sides of buses bearing ‘NO WIN NO FEE’ in large letters have made us all well aware that the area of legal representation for personal injury compensation is a competitive one. If you experience a personal injury and believe you might have a claim for compensation, what does your lawyer… Read More »What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?

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