Personal Injury

After an injury, it is difficult to know what to do next.  Where you are injured at work, on the road, or due to the negligence of another individual, compensation may be awarded to assist you in recovering.

At Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell we regularly act for clients that have sustained a personal injury at work, on the road or through the negligence of another.

Our personal injury team is led by Aggie Vlahos who has helped clients obtain their rightful entitlements for over 20 years.
 
Her particular expertise relates to the settlement of serious injury ‘damages’ claims lodged as an outcome of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident, during the course of employment, whilst in medical care and / or whilst on private or public property.  Aggie is also able to assist with wrongful death claims, police compensation claims and institutional abuse.  Her additional experience in insurance litigation means she is also able to assist with assessing whether injury or illness is covered under superannuation or retail insurance policies.

At Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell, clients are at the heart of everything we do.
 
Our approach to providing legal services embraces the spirit of entrepreneurship and modern collaboration, enabling our clients to be part of the journey, rather than removed from it.

Expertise

Workers Compensation (WorkCover & Comcare)

Road Accidents (TAC)

Medical Negligence

Public Liability

Wrongs Act

Wrongful Death & Dependency Claims

Superannuation / Disability Insurance

Expertise

Workers Compensation (WorkCover & Comcare)

Road Accidents (TAC)

Medical Negligence

Public Liability

Wrongs Act

Wrongful Death & Dependency Claims

Superannuation / Disability Insurance

Since the firm launched, Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell have won multiple awards, including:

Litigation Team of the Year 2025 - Finalist

Insurance Team of the Year 2025 - Finalist

Litigator of the Year 2025 - Finalist

Danielle Snell. Managing Partner of the Year.

Managing Partner of the Year - Winner

Law Firm Leader of the Year <100 employees - Winner

Boutique Firm of the Year - Winner

Major Matters

TPD Claim

Acted for a client diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in relation to his total and permanent disability claim under his retail insurance policy. The client successfully recovered $2m after filing submissions with the insurer without recourse to litigation.

Damages payout for injured child

Represented a 9 year old client who sustained significant injuries when a heavy prop fell on her whilst in after-school care. She received damages of $250,000 plus costs from the school and the after-school care provider.

Transport Accident – Damages Claim (No Win No Fee)

Represented a client who suffered serious injuries in a motor vehicle accident to his neck and shoulders, when his vehicle was struck whilst stationary at a red light by the police during a high speed chase. The client recovered $550,000 in damages.

Significant injuries in public area

Represented a client who suffered significant injuries to her right knee and leg, which required ongoing treatment and surgery, when she tripped and fell on slippery tiles located in the foyer of her residence in circumstances. The incident occurred whilst the Owners Corporation were on notice regarding the slipping hazard. She recovered damages of $190,000 plus her legal costs.

TAC Claim for Brain Injury

Represented a client who sustained serious injuries in a motor vehicle accident including significant brain damage. The client recovered $750,000 in damages.

Damages action and dependency claim

Defending a personal injury damages action filed against a deceased estate in the Supreme Court of Victoria under the survival of causes of action regime. The was resolved due to a strong defence of plene administravit. In the same matter, Aggie filed proceedings in the Supreme Court seeking damages on behalf of the widow, successfully recovering damages for loss of dependency.

Major Matters

Get in touch

With us personally, it is just one more way we’re different.

Danielle Snell

CO-FOUNDER AND MANAGING PARTNER

.

Robert McGirr

CO-FOUNDER & PARTNER

.

Aggie Vlahos

PARTNER

.

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"Danielle guided us through the entire process with confidence and transparency, ensuring we always felt informed and supported."

Insurance Law

Plaintiff

We had an outstanding experience working with Danielle. From the very beginning, she demonstrated exceptional professionalism, clear communication, and a genuine understanding of our situation. She guided us through the entire process with confidence and transparency, ensuring we always felt informed and supported.

What truly stood out was her ability to achieve a fast resolution while securing the exact outcome we were hoping for. Her expertise and strategic approach made a stressful situation significantly easier to manage.

Equally impressive was Danielle’s compassion and friendliness. She took the time to listen, showed real empathy, and made us feel like more than just another case. We always felt valued and reassured

"

"Danielle kept me well-informed and involved, ensuring I was aware of all my options throughout the legal process"

Insurance Law

Plaintiff

Danielle Snell and the Elit Lawyers team acted for me on a high value insurance claim after insurers denied me all cover after my aircraft was damaged during the filming of a Hollywood movie. Given that insurers denied me all cover and offered to pay zero, with Danielle and team’s guidance, I issued proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria – Insurance List against the insurers involved. Danielle kept me well-informed and involved, ensuring I was aware of all my options throughout the legal process.

This was a stressful period for me, but I always felt confident and supported . I was happy to resolve the case prior to trial which involved a pay-out by the insurers. I felt confident to take on the insurers with the representation and support of Elit Lawyers and it proved to be the right move as I was ultimately paid out under my policy which was very different to the insurer’s original decision to pay me nothing.

"

"Within days, the podcast episode was removed and I was also given an apology, undertaking and some payment towards my legal costs"

Defamation – CEO

Plaintiff

I highly recommend Danielle and her team to anyone needing to fight defamation matters, they achieve results! I was defamed on a podcast which was published on various forums. The Elit team prepared detailed Concerns Notices to the original publisher and also to the podcast operator and other forums the podcast was published on.  Within days, the podcast episode was removed and I was also given an apology, undertaking and some payment towards my legal costs. Thank you to the Elit team for helping me with this personal matter.

– CEO 

"

"On advice from Danielle and Mark, I sued the insurer in the Federal Court Insurance List and a settlement was reached within a couple of months!"

Insurance Law

Plaintiff

One night, thieves broke into my home through the garage and stole my car whilst my wife and kids and myself were all in the house. They then abandoned and set the car on fire, resulting in a total loss. My insurance claim was denied because the car was parked in the driveway instead of the garage. On advice from Danielle and Mark, I sued the insurer in the Federal Court Insurance List and a settlement was reached within a couple of months!

"

"Aggie kept me well informed at every step and her supportive and approachable manner made a very stressful period in my life far easier to navigate."

Family Law – Property

Plaintiff

I’m very thankful that my financial planner referred me to Aggie Vlahos. She guided me through negotiating, documenting and completing my family law property settlement with my ex. Aggie kept me well informed at every step and her supportive and approachable manner made a very stressful period in my life far easier to navigate. Would absolutely recommend.

 

"

"I was grateful for Aggie’s expert advice, patience, and support during my family law court case"

Family Law

Plaintiff

Aggie acted for me in relation to my litigated family law matter – during an intense and difficult time in my life.  I was grateful for Aggie’s expert advice, patience, and support during my family law court case which we were able to resolve positively at mediation. I would strongly recommend Aggie and her team to anybody needing legal assistance with their family law matter.

 

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