Edward Zappert

Assistant Crown Solicitor

Since admission in 1998, Edward has practised exclusively in the area of insurance litigation, including workers’ compensation, public liability and professional indemnity. He was engaged in private practice until 2017, acting for various London underwriters and large multinational and Australian corporations who were self-insured for public liability and/or workers’ compensation.

At Crown Law, Edward leads the WorkCover team which provides specialist advice and representation to WorkCover Queensland in the defence of common-law claims for damages arising out of workplace injuries suffered by employees of the State of Queensland. He is currently Acting Deputy Crown Solicitor of the Commercial, Property, Insurance and Risk Branch.

Edward is a member of the Queensland Medico-legal Society and has previously served on the Queensland committee of the Australian Insurance Law Association.

Edward has extensive experience in personal injuries litigation and has managed portfolios of claims for both insurers and corporate self-insureds. He has defended numerous personal injury claims including:
  • claims for loss of dependency;
  • claims for catastrophic injury arising out of accidents in the mining and construction industries;
  • claims for pure psychiatric injury as the result of alleged bullying and harassment;
  • claims involving post-traumatic stress disorder as the result of witnessing traumatic events.

Edward has taken matters to trial in the District and Supreme Courts and has appeared as an advocate in the chamber jurisdiction of the Supreme, District and Magistrate’s Courts.  Edward had conduct of appeals to the Court of Appeal.

While some matters proceed to trial, the vast majority of claims resolve through negotiation and Edward has extensive experience appearing at conferences and mediations, negotiating with injured claimant’s and their solicitors or counsel and advising clients in respect of claims.