Swanwick Murray Roche are public liability lawyers providing comprehensive legal services to clients across Rockhampton.
We handle public liability law claims
At Swanwick Murray Roche, our public liability claim lawyers help people and businesses navigate complex compensation claims. As a Queensland-based injury and compensation law firm, we’re committed to providing clear legal support for every corporate or private client.
What is a public liability claim?
If someone else was responsible for your injury, you may be entitled to compensation.
Public liability claims are when you seek compensation for an injury you’ve suffered due to another party breaching their duty of care. This could include incidents in public places like shopping centres, parks, rental properties, or even someone’s home. Public liability covers a wide range of situations, like slips, trips, falls, or other accidents, where someone has failed to keep their premises reasonably safe.
If you’ve experienced harm in a situation like this, you may be able to seek compensation under personal injury law. The public liability claims process generally involves gathering evidence, proving negligence, and lodging a personal injury claim within strict time limits. Our team can help you claim compensation and guide you through each step of the process.
Find out if you are eligible to pursue a public liability personal injury claim with our free claim check.
What are some examples of public liability claims?
Common examples of events leading to public liability claim injuries include:
- Slips and trips on public or private property
- Unsafe premises (such as balconies, stairs or walking surfaces)
- Injuries in rental premises (e.g. landlord/tenant)
- Injuries in private buildings (e.g. shopping centres)
- Injuries caused by animals (e.g. dog attacks, horse riding accidents)
- Schoolyard injuries
- Amusement ride injuries
- Recreational sporting injuries (e.g. jet skiing and diving accidents)
- Aviation and boating injuries
- Work-related injuries that occur as a result of the occupier’s negligence
- Physical assaults
- Dog or animal attacks
- Defective products or services
- Health and fitness injuries (such as massage or personal training)
Act quickly – there are time limits on the public liability claims process
If you’ve been injured in a public place, there may be strict time limits for making a public liability compensation claim. Missing these deadlines could mean losing your right to seek compensation.
Most businesses and property owners carry public liability insurance, so you may be eligible to make a public liability insurance claim. To protect your rights, it’s important to get advice from an experienced public liability lawyer as soon as possible.
If someone breached their legal obligation to keep you safe, we can help you take the next steps and ensure your claim is lodged in time.
Our public liability claim lawyers simplify the process for you
We understand how overwhelming things can feel after an accident or injury, which is why our public liability claim lawyers aim to make the process as straightforward as possible. We offer no win, no fee compensation claim work. That means if your case isn’t successful, then you won’t need to pay our legal fees. To make things easier, we can come to you when you want to seek legal advice.
Why choose us for your public liability claim?
Our Brisbane public liability lawyers help you pursue adequate compensation for injuries sustained due to someone else’s negligence. Whether you’ve suffered from rental premises injuries, motor vehicle accidents, or a slip in a public place, our team of public liability claims experts will guide you through every step. We liaise directly with the public liability insurer to ensure all necessary support, such as pain and suffering, medical expenses and domestic assistance, are factored into your outcome. With a free initial consultation, transparent cost agreement, and a thorough understanding of the general limitation period, we can give you the clarity you need.
Injured in a public space? Here’s what to know
If you’ve suffered injury due to someone else’s failure to take reasonable care on public property, you may have grounds to make a claim. Common physical injury examples include fractures, sprains, or head trauma, especially where injuries fall under negligence. Whether the harm occurred in a shopping centre, park, or rental property, it’s important to document the event with an incident report and seek legal advice promptly. Our team works on a no fee basis, so you won’t pay legal fees unless your case is successful.
We’ll help you understand your options and guide you through the legal process. Every case is different, and our role is to make sure you receive the right information when pursuing compensation.
FAQs about Public Liability Claim Compensations
How do I make a successful public liability claim?
To make a successful claim you must be able to prove three things. Firstly, that the person or company at fault owed you a duty of care, meaning they had an obligation to take measures to prevent harm, that they breached this duty of care and as a result you have suffered a loss. It’s also important to gather strong evidence such as photographs, witness statements, and medical records. Our legal team can help guide you through each stage.
Who pays the public liability compensation in Queensland?
In most cases an insurance company will cover the amount of compensation payable to you. The responsible party usually holds public liability insurance to protect themselves in such circumstances. This insurance is designed to ensure injured individuals receive compensation without having to pursue the person or business directly.
What can I claim when it comes to making public liability claims?
Each claim is different however, in general, you would be able to make a claim for past and future medical expenses, past and future loss of earnings, pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life and any care provided by friends or family. You may also be able to recover out-of-pocket expenses incurred due to your injury. Our team will assess your case carefully.
What are the time limits when making a public liability claim in Queensland
There are strict time limits for making such a claim in Queensland. There is a requirement to make your claim within three years from the date you were injured. However, there is a requirement to proceed through the pre-court procedures prior to this time and accordingly, steps should be taken to secure your position as soon as possible. Delaying action can seriously impact your ability to seek compensation. It’s always best to get legal advice early so your claim is protected and properly prepared.
What should I do if I have been injured in a public place?
To make a successful claim, you should do the following:
- Report your injury to the occupier immediately
- Visit a qualified medical practitioner as soon as possible
- Provide them with a full description of what occurred to you and the injuries you have suffered as a result. You will need medical evidence to show that your injury is related to the event
- Lodge a claim with the occupier.
What type of injuries can I claim for?
You can claim Public Liability Insurance for injury or illness sustained through a public place accident. Some common injuries include:
- Spinal injuries
- Fractures
- Falls
- Crush injuries
- Psychological injuries
- Brain injuries
- Shoulder Injuries
- Neck Injuries
- Back Injuries
How much will it cost to make a claim?
We offer a free claim check to help you understand the potential costs. If your claim is successful, most legal costs will be covered by the compensation you receive, leaving you with the majority of the awarded damages. Our goal is to support you through the legal journey.
How long will the Public Liability claim take?
The time it takes to resolve your claim depends on various factors, such as the complexity of your case and the severity of the serious injury you’ve suffered. Our legal team of public liability claim lawyers will assess the details of your situation and give you a more accurate timeline once they understand the specifics of your case.
Do I have to prove the injury happened?
Yes, it’s essential to prove that the incident took place. We can help you gather evidence, including witness statements and medical treatment records, to support your case. It’s important to report the incident as soon as possible to strengthen your claim.
Can I claim income protection through my superannuation?
If you have income protection as part of your superannuation policy, you may be eligible to claim if you are unable to work due to your injury. This can help replace lost income and cover expenses related to recovery, rehabilitation, or retraining.
Where must the injury happen for me to make a claim?
Injuries that happen due to someone else’s negligence in public or private spaces may qualify for a public liability claim. This includes public parks, shops, or even private properties where unsafe conditions caused you harm. If the injury happened in a public space, you may have a valid claim.
What costs can I claim for?
You may be entitled to claim a range of costs, including medical costs, future medical treatment, and expenses related to your recovery. Additionally, you can seek compensation for lost income if your injury has affected your ability to work. Our team will ensure all relevant expenses are considered.
Resources & Quick Links
Check out our compensation resources and see some of our recent legal updates you might find useful. Please remember that these updates and resources are general guidance only. If you need legal advice, you should contact us to discuss your matter as your personal circumstances may not suit the circumstances described in the updates and resources.
Quick links for our most common compensation links:
Road Accident Injuries | Work Related Accidents | Asbestos & Occupational Disease | Superannuation & Total Permanent Disability