Instructing Solicitors NR Barbi Solicitor Pty Ltd
Click Here for the Documents as Filed
About this Class Action
NR Barbi Solicitor Pty Ltd has filed a class action against the (at least) the Australian Government, the Department of Health and Aged Care Secretary Dr Brendan Murphy and the Deputy Secretary of Health Products Regulation Group Adjunct Professor John Skerrit (“the Respondents”) in the Federal Court of Australia on behalf of the Lead Applicant (“the Applicant”)and other Covid-19 vaccination injured parties (“Group Members”) to recover compensation for injuries obtained as a result of taking one or more Covid-19 vaccines.
The Applicant alleges that the Respondents’ actions to advance the acceptance and use of the various approved Covid-19 vaccines constitutes negligence and/or misfeasance. They further allege that such [negligence/misfeasance/a breach of statutory duty caused class members to suffer loss or damage, including but not limited to:-
- personal injury;
- health care expenses;
- additional out-of-pocket expenses;
- economic loss;
- the need for gratuitous care and, additionally or alternatively, commercial care; and/or
- non-economic loss.
Relevant Rules
The procedural rules for class actions in the FCA are set out in:
- Division 9.3 of the Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth);
- Part IVA of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth); and
- The Federal Court of Australia Class Actions Practice Note GPN-CA.
You can access these documents at the following:
Click Here for Link to Federal Court Rules
Am I eligible to join this Class Action?
Class actions typically function on an ‘opt-out’ basis, meaning that all class members will be bound by the case’s outcome unless they opt-out by a date set by the Court.
You are likely to form part of the ascertainable class if you :-
If you believe you fall into one of the above categories, this means that you may be a class member.
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Only class members who opt out of the proceedings may be able to commence separate but similar litigation in their state or territory. NR Barbi Solicitor Pty Ltd does not automatically represent you in this proceeding by virtue of you being a class member and we recommend that you seek independent legal advice for further information about opting out or comm
If you are a class member in the class action, and you would like to be entitled to receive compensation if the proceeding is successful, it is essential that you register. Please be assured that, if you choose to register, we will not disclose your identity to any third party, including the Respondents, without your consent.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible, please contact N R Barbi Solicitor.
To register as a Group Member and for NR Barbi Solicitor to represent you in the class action, you will be asked to enter a Client Agreement and Cost Agreement with NR Barbi Solicitor Pty Ltd. Please see the below letter for more information:
Click Here For Letter to Group Members from NR Barbi Solicitor Pty Ltd
If you wish to proceed as a Group Member in the Class Action on the basis outlined in the Letter to Group Members above, we kindly ask that you complete the details for and execute the Agreement by clicking the link below:
Frequently Asked Questions
If I d
If I don’t opt out, will I be compensated?
In a class action, the initial trial involves the Court hearing evidence about the Lead Applicant’s claim to determine the factual and legal questions that are common to the lead applicant and the class members.
If the class action is successful in respect of these common questions, the rest of the class members’ individual claims will then be considered through a settlement scheme devised by the parties. Several factors are likely to impact on whether an individual is entitled to compensation, including:-
- the findings of the Court in relation to the common questions;
- whether an individual’s injury was caused by their taking a Covid-19 vaccine; and
- the severity and extent of any loss or damage that has been suffered.
A registration process must occur as part of the settlement scheme in order to identify the number and identity of class members entitled to compensation. Please register by clicking the link “Join this Class Action” above, filling out the registration form, and executing the Agreement.
Simply registering to participate in the class action does not necessarily entitle you to compensation. Where class members do not register, they are still bound by an approved settlement but will not be entitled to receive any payment.
How much compensation can I receive?
The amount of compensation that you will be entitled to will depend on your particular circumstances.
We will provide regular updates with more information about the sum that you can expect to receive.
What if I disagree with the proposed settlement?
Usually when a Court is considering a proposed settlement, class members will be given an opportunity to object to it and make submissions about it if they disagree with it. All class members will be provided with a detailed notice in advance of this opportunity which sets out the details of the proposed settlement.
What if I change my mind after registering?
Group members have a cooling off period of five days from the date of acceptance of the Client Agreement and Cost Agreement. This enables you to seek independent legal advice, discuss any questions, or withdraw from the agreement. You will receive any relevant disclosures in respect of the case when we send your Client Agreement and Costs Agreement. We will also send to you and post on this website regular updates in relation to the case. You can opt out of the proceedings at any time before the opt out date.
Is there a chance I will be liable to pay costs?
Signing up to the class action will not expose you to any upfront costs. All costs in the course of the proceeding will be borne by the Litigation Funder who has entered a separate funding agreement with the lead applicant.
In the event of a successful outcome, any costs paid and/or payable to NR Barbi Solicitor Pty Ltd will be deducted from any compensation that you’re entitled to receive. More details will be provided in relation to this in the Costs Agreement. All such costs are required to be considered and approved by the Court.
The “loser-pays” rule applies to class actions in Australia, meaning that the Court will usually order the unsuccessful party to pay the costs of the successful party. These costs include court filing fees, copying charges, other out-of-pocket expenses, and lawyers’ professional fees. However, costs recoverable by the successful party are generally calculated by reference to a court scale, which invariably limits the amount a successful party can claim for disbursements and services performed by their lawyers.
You can access this scale at the following link: FEDERAL COURT RULES 2011 – SCHEDULE 3 Costs allowable for work done and services performed (austlii.edu.au).