Have you been injured in a public place through no fault of your own?
Let us get you the compensation you deserve.
Injuries can happen at any time and anywhere. If you’ve been harmed or injured while on public, commercial, or private property because of someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to make a public liability claim.
Under the law, businesses, organisations, and individuals have a ‘duty of care’ to ensure anyone who comes onto their property is not harmed. This includes places like shopping centres, business premises, education campuses, places of worship, and entertainment venues. However, it can also consist of outdoor spaces like sporting fields, parks, public gardens, and footpaths.
Here are some common slip and fall public liability claims:
- Slips, trips and falls in supermarkets and shopping centres
- Tripping and falling on public footpaths and pathways
- Injuries in parks, leisure centres or other public places, including playgrounds
- Recreational and sporting injuries
- Air or sea travel-related injuries and trauma
- Tenants injured in rental properties or surrounding premises, such as common areas
- Amusement park and entertainment venue injuries
Businesses and other entities that occupy premises are required by law to have public liability insurance. In the majority of cases, compensation claims are made against insurance companies.
Public liability claims can be complex, and establishing that duty of care has been breached is essential. Whether you’re fighting against a private company, a large organisation or a Local Council authority, you must seek advice from an expert slip and fall lawyer. Carbone Lawyers has one of Australia’s most experienced slip and fall personal injury teams.
Regardless of your circumstances, our lawyers are likely to have worked on similar cases and know how to get you the best slip and fall compensation. We understand the strategies insurance companies and their lawyers use to try and avoid paying your compensation and will be relentlessly acting in your best interests.
If you have been injured in a public place, here’s what to do next.
If you have experienced a slip and fall injury, collecting as much evidence as possible, including photographs and the contact details of any witnesses, is essential. Write a written account of what happened to you while the event is still fresh in your mind, including as much detail as possible. Give this to your lawyer. We recommend that you speak to your doctor or medical specialist and explain the circumstances leading to your injury and the nature and extent of any injuries you may have. You should also record any lost wages or expenses due to the incident.
If you are unsure whether you have a valid public liability claim, contact us via our website or by calling 1800 369 888 and explain what has happened so we can advise you.
What you can claim compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering and the loss of enjoyment of life
- The cost of car and home modifications you require as a result of your injury
- The financial value of care provided by friends and family
- Loss of earnings if your ability to work is impacted by the accident
- Past and future damages if you are unable to provide care to dependents
Important things to know about slip and fall public liability claims
- In most cases, Carbone Lawyers can settle the case out of court, avoiding the stress of going to court and ensuring more compensation ends up in your pocket.
- Public Liability claims are made on a no win, no fee basis, which means you will not be liable to pay Carbone Lawyers’ costs unless your case is successful. If your case is unsuccessful and you do not receive compensation, in most cases, you will not pay legal fees.
- If you’ve been injured at work, please see our information on Workplace Injury
- If the injury took place on the road or while using public transport, please see our information on Road & Transport Accidents Compensation
If you have started a public liability claim but feel frustrated or dissatisfied with its progress, please contact our team to discuss how we can help you achieve a better result.
If you have any doubts about where you stand, what you’re entitled to, or what you should do next, contact us today for a no-obligation, confidential discussion.
Slips, Trips, and Falls FAQs
What’s the difference Between Slips, Trips, and Falls?
In public liability cases, “slips, trips, and falls” are often used as a catchall for fall-related injuries caused by negligence, though there are some distinct differences between these terms. Falls are any collapse from loss of balance, such as from slipping or tripping. “Slips” are more specifically caused by unintentional sliding, such as over a wet surface or spilt items, while “trips” involve stumbling over an obstacle.
What are Common Slip and Fall Injuries?
With falls being one of Australia’s leading causes of injury hospitalisations and death, slip and fall injuries can vary depending on factors including the location and severity of the incident, existing medical conditions of the injured person and more. Though there can be a high variance, common injuries include:
- Soft Tissue Damage
- Fractured or Broken Bones
- Concussion
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
What Should I Do if I Slip and Fall in a Public Place?
Keeping detailed records from the start will help your claim. After seeking medical attention to address any urgent injuries, write an account of the event, document the scene with photos, collect contact details of any witnesses, and report the incident to the property owner or manager, ensuring you keep records of any correspondence or medical information. The team at Carbone Lawyers can assist in all aspects of your case, speak to one of our experts today for the best chance at maximum compensation.
Can I Still Claim Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault for the Fall?
If an insurer or other entity is claiming that you were partly responsible for your fall, you may still be eligible for compensation. The amount may be adjusted based on your level of responsibility, for a better understanding of how contributory negligence may impact your case, start your free claim assessment today.
Who is Responsible for a Fall on a Footpath?
While councils are responsible for inspecting and maintaining all road assets under their control as outlined in their Road Management Plan (RMP), pedestrians must still exercise reasonable care for their safety. This means that if a defect in the footpath causes you to trip, it generally must not be obvious to the average pedestrian watching where they’re going for your claim to be successful.
If you believe you may have a valid claim against the council, you must photograph the defect that caused your fall as soon as possible and report the incident to the local council. Our slip-and-fall lawyers will assess your claim and help you have the best chance of getting the compensation you deserve for your incident with a no-win, no-fee policy.
