‘Nobody likes change’ may be a much-coined cliche, but when it comes to Western Australian attitudes to seeking recompense for a workplace accident it is a societal statement of fact.’
Despite workers’ compensation insurance being compulsory purchases for most companies, a tangible trepidation has inexplicably attached itself to the act of pursuing a claim against employers through legal recourse.
Contrary to common sense, it is an unacceptable norm that many who sustain an injury through no fault of their own will shun the specialist skills of a solicitor in favour of negotiating directly with insurers over recovering medical or care expenses.
A product of misplaced perceptions that instructing a law firm will cause irreparable damage to relationships at work, derail career progression or make an individual undesirable in the eyes of prospective employees, it is a status quo in need of a shake up and a revolution in rationale Kerrie Pringle is determined to deliver.
The recently appointed business development manager at Accident Claims Lawyers is certainly well placed to prompt such a change having supplemented her extensive sales and customer relationship skills with 18 months of psychology study at Edith Cowan University.
However, Kerrie – who swapped the world of insurance to take up a position with the Perth-based compensation specialist this summer – is not expecting to have to exercise her mastery of mental states to spearhead a shift in behaviours.
Instead, the mother-of-two intends to redress the reputation of the field of personal injury and motor vehicle accident claims by simply championing the virtues of her new employers.
“There is a definite fear factor over engaging with lawyers,” explained Kerrie, whose resume boasts more than 20 years of experience in the financial services sector. “People think doing so means automatically getting dragged into court or dealing with a large firm more concerned with making money from hidden fees than the welfare of its clients.
“Those negative perceptions couldn’t be further from the truth when you look at the approach taken by Accident Claims Lawyer though, which makes my job of promoting and introducing the company’s services to others easy.
“It’s truly a great feeling to know you work for an organisation in which everyone holds the same values and is focused on doing the right thing and best they can for clients,” she added. “The customer always comes first and for those in need of help, the service provided is invaluable – both in terms of liaising with insurers and employers and legal expertise – and can be life changing.
“People don’t need to be cautious about talking to us because we are completely open about the claims process and fees involved and our specialists have the necessary experience to secure a fair payment for those deserving of a financial payment.”
Kerrie insists that such a personalised service, which priorities the physical and mental wellbeing of claimants by affording them the greatest chance of securing the best available care, surgery and rehabilitation, will prove persuasive in winning over those who may have previously preferred to keep their heads below the parapet.
“Good news tends to travel fast,” concluded the 42-year-old, whose passion for helping others extends to volunteering with the Foyer Foundation, a charity providing young Australians experiencing disadvantage with a pathway to education, training and employment through access to stable and secure housing.
“I have no doubts that the Accident Claims Lawyers brand will flourish because we are different from the rest; we care and that’s a powerful message.”
