Who can make a public liability claim?
When you’re out and about in the community, you have the right to be safe from injury and public liability law is there to protect your right.
If you’ve suffered an injury on public, commercial or retail property, it will need to be proven that a person, company or organisation was at fault and owed you a duty of care.
Some of the common accidents that could result in a claim for compensation include:
Injuries in parks, leisure centres or other public places (e.g. footpaths, car parks etc.)
Injuries in rental premises
Injuries in private buildings (e.g. supermarkets, shopping centres, gyms, hotels etc.)
Schoolyard or daycare injuries
Injuries from animals (e.g. dog bites)
Recreational and sporting injuries (e.g. jet-ski, diving and quad-bike accidents)
Work sites (e.g. contractors)
What will public liability cover?
What you can claim depends on several factors specific to your situation.
You may be eligible to claim for:
Loss of earnings
Medical and rehabilitation expenses
Lump sum for pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
Care and help provided by friends, family or any other individuals
How long will it take?
This depends on your injuries, the treatment you’ll need and your recovery.
Strict time limitations apply when lodging a public liability claim. Getting the right legal advice after you’ve been injured, is crucial.
Injury types
After an injury in a public place, it can be difficult to know how the extent of your injuries will affect your life currently and in the future. Our team has years of experience achieving successful outcomes for our clients and we know the best approach to ensure you are compensated for your immediate and possible future pain and suffering you may incur.
Common injuries sustained from an accident in a public place can include:
Injuries caused by animals (e.g.: dog attacks, horse-riding accidents)
Additional claim types
Depending on the circumstances of your claim, you may be eligible for other forms of compensation. Our expert team will assess your situation, guide you through the process and lay out all your options.
They could include:
Preparing for a claim
When preparing to make a claim there are some important steps you need to take.
Record and report the accident
Take photographs of the injury and the location where the injury occurred. Complete an incident report or injury register if one is available to you. If not, write down what happened to you – including the contact details of any witnesses. Record any expenses or lost wages due to your injuries. Keep any communication that you received from those responsible for your injury.
Medical treatment
Get a medical certificate to support your claim, preferably from your own doctor. Tell your doctor how you were injured. Keep any receipts for your medical treatment and record appointment dates.
Contact Shine Lawyers
Find out if you have a claim by using our fast and free online tool or contact us for an obligation-free legal consultation.
Check if you have a claim with our simple, free online tool
What we will ask:
Details about the accident and injuries that may have happened to you or your loved one
Basic personal information that is relevant and necessary for your claim
What happens next:
Either book a no-obligation appointment with a compensation law expert right away or,
Speak with our friendly Client Care team about your options
How to make a public liability claim
We listen and assess your existing claim confidentially
During your initial obligation-free consultation we’ll take the time to listen and understand your individual needs. We’ll then map out the next steps and explain all the options available to you.
We will lodge your claim
We will work with you to ensure your claim form is submitted correctly and in line with the strict time limitations.
We’ll build your claim and keep you informed
We will work with you to gather all the documentation and medical evidence required to support your claim. You focus on your recovery and rehabilitation, and we’ll take care of the rest whilst always keeping you in the loop.
Once our investigations are complete, we will advise you of the best way forward.
We’ll negotiate to settle your claim early
An early settlement involves both parties getting together to discuss the resolution of your claim We will conduct the negotiations on your behalf.
If required, resolve your claim in court
Only a very small percentage of cases result in a court hearing.
If this happens, our legal experts have the skill and experience to guide you through this.
We will ensure you’re feeling comfortable and confident throughout this process and inform you of what’s required from start to finish.
If your claim is successful, you will receive the compensation you deserve, so you can focus on your future.
Do you have a claim?
We’re here to make the claims process as simple and stress-free as possible.
FAQs
Are there any Shine public liability lawyers 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 team in person, you can see our full list of locations here.
If you aren‘t able to 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?
Yes, it is possible to legally represent yourself when making a claim. However, doing so successfully will likely require a thorough understanding of the law, your legal rights and entitlements, and a commitment to actively pursue the case to move it forward.
Without an experienced public liability lawyer in your corner, it can be difficult to identify and highlight the strength of your case.
Without the right legal advice and support, you then may not receive the 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.
*Conditions apply
