Public liability compensation for if you’re injured in a public place
When you’re out and about in the community, you have the right to be safe from injury. If you’re injured in a public place and someone is at fault, you could seek public liability compensation.
Who can make a public liability claim?
You’re eligible to make a public liability claim if you were in a public place and:
Another party owed you a duty of care to protect you from reasonably foreseeable injury
The duty of care was breached
You or your loved one were physically or psychologically injured in a public place
What is a public place in Perth & WA?
A public place in Perth or WA could include public, commercial or retail properties such as:
If you’ve been injured in a public place, your public liability claim may relate to these common accident examples:
If you’re injured while playing a sport such as from faulty or defective equipment or inadequate supervision
Being attacked and bitten by a dog while walking on a footpath
Food poisoning, for example from eating in a shopping centre food court
What public liability compensation can be claimed?
Public liability compensation in WA, places a monetary value on the gap between your predicted life path before you were injured in a public place and your actual life path since your injury.
The outcome of your public liability compensation claim depends on several factors specific to your situation. Your public liability claim payout may include compensation for:
Loss of earnings
Medical and rehabilitation expenses
Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
Care and help provided by friends, family or any other individual
Are there public liability claim time limits?
How long your public liability claim takes to resolve depends on:
Your injuries
The medical treatment you’ll need
Your recovery
You are likely already aware that in WA there are strict time limitations for making a public liability claim. This is why it’s important to consult with an experienced public liability lawyer in Perth.
How much will making a public liability claim cost?
Ensuring everyone has access to justice is important to us. That’s why our public liability lawyers work on a No Win, No Fee* basis. This means you won’t have to worry about legal fees unless we receive a successful outcome for you.
Get in touch with us today to understand how you might be able to maximise your claim.
Progressing your public liability claim
The progress of your public liability claim will likely follow the following steps:
Seek medical attention and treatment for your injuries
Your GP or attending doctor should record how the incident occurred and the details of your injuries and symptoms.
Arrange a meeting with a public liability lawyer
We’ll take the time to listen and understand all the circumstances of your incident, the details of your injuries and how they’ve impacted your life. We’ll talk you through the next steps of your claim and explain all the public liability compensation options available to you.
Gather the evidence you need to support your claim
If you haven’t already, it’s important to gather evidence to support your public liability claim. This might include:
Photos of the location of where you were injured in a public place
Photos and details of your injuries
A written record of the incident that caused your injuries
Contact details of any witnesses to the incident
Communication you receive from the person, business or entity responsible for your injuries
A record of your report of the incident to the person, business or entity you believe is responsible for your injuries (for example to the local council, school, shopping centre owner)
Identify who’s at fault for your injuries
When you’re injured in a public place it's important to identify who’s at fault for your injuries. This may be the entity in charge of the public area, building or facility where you were injured. For example, this might be a shopping centre owner, local council or a landlord.
The public liability claim process
Your public liability lawyers will work with you to ensure any further steps in your public liability claim are in line with the strict public liability claim time limits.
Negotiate to settle your public liability claim
Your public liability claim might be settled through negotiations between you and the at-fault party.
Go to court to resolve your public liability claim
Only a small percentage of public liability compensation claims end up going to court. If this does happen, public liability lawyers have the skill, experience and expertise to guide you through the court process. Your public liability lawyers should ensure you feel comfortable and confident throughout the court process, and keep you informed of what’s required from start to finish.
If your claim is successful, you’ll receive the compensation you deserve. You can then focus on and plan for your future.
No Win, No Fee*
We do our best up-front to make sure you understand your legal claim, including whether your claim is on our No Win, No Fee* basis.
"I highly recommend Shine Lawyers to anyone in need of legal assistance. They were professional, respectful, and incredibly efficient with my public liability claim. They made me feel better about my situation and injury, and were always understanding and easy to communicate with." - Hayder
CLIENT FEEDBACK
"Shine Lawyers Parramatta handled my public liability claim with great care and professionalism. When I met them, I was both physically and mentally vulnerable after fracturing my patella two years prior. Their compassionate approach and strong legal knowledge made a world of difference. My lawyer managed my case with precision, and the outcome exceeded my expectations. Thank you Shine Lawyers Parramatta!" - Jess
Public liability claims FAQs
Are there any Shine public liability lawyers located near me?
With more than 40 branches across Australia and 1000+ team members, location is no barrier when it comes to accessing Shine Lawyers’ legal advice and support.
If you’d like to speak to our public liability lawyers in person, you can see our full list of locations here.
If you can’t find a location near you, we can easily arrange an obligation-free virtual appointment or discuss the option to meet at a location that’s comfortable and convenient for you. No matter where you are located, we will always provide the same, expert advice and manage your claim with the same level of quality and commitment.
Can I represent myself, or do I need a public liability lawyer?
It’s possible to represent yourself when making a public liability claim. However doing so successfully will likely require:
A thorough understanding of public liability law and WA’s public liability claim time limits
A full understanding of your legal rights and entitlements
A commitment to actively pursuing the case to move it forward
Without an experienced public liability lawyer in your corner, it can be difficult to identify and highlight the strengths of your case. You also may not receive the public liability compensation you deserve.
Why trust Shine to be my public liability lawyers?
We have helped thousands of Australians right wrong and access more than $1 billion per year in entitlements and compensation through our expert services.
95% of the cases we represent are settled without the stress of going to court.
We offer access to affordable legal advice including on a No Win, No Fee* basis and an obligation-free initial consultation so you can understand your rights and know where you stand.
Shine Lawyers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, waterways and community. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.