Your guide to personal injury claims: how personal injury lawyers / attorneys can help

When should I consider hiring a public liability lawyer?

If you’ve suffered an injury or incurred damages due to someone’s negligence, then you may be considering hiring public liability legal help. However, it can be difficult to know where to start. Acting quickly is important, as is getting good guidance and support throughout the process.

A local public liability lawyer (also commonly referred to in the US as an attorney) can assist you in an initial assessment of the circumstances of your case, help determine the liability of others, and advise you on your legal options.

Hiring legal aid for public liability claims can alleviate the stress and burden of gathering evidence yourself. A public liability lawyer will negotiate with insurance companies and pursue compensation for injury on your behalf.

Engaging with a public liability law firm with proven experience in handling such claims can ease your concerns and allow you to focus on your recovery

At Gordon Legal, if we recommend making a public liability claim, we offer clients a No Win, No Fee agreement, which means that if your claim is not successful, you don’t need to pay legal fees to us for the work we have done on your case. You can learn more about our No Win, No Fee cost structure here.

What are common examples of public liability cases?

Public liability cases occur when an individual suffers harm on property that is owned or managed by another party due to their negligence or their failure to maintain a safe environment.

The most common examples of public liability cases include slips, trips and falls in public places such as supermarkets, shopping centres, restaurants or on sidewalks.

These incidents may occur due to hazards such as wet floors, falling objects, uneven surfaces, or obstacles or debris left in walkways. In various settings such as parks or sidewalks, injuries could be sustained due to a lack of maintenance or poorly carried out works.

In other cases, incidents can occur in public facilities such as bus terminals and train stations.

Injuries can range in severity so it’s always worth seeking legal guidance if you are unsure if your incident is worth claiming. You can read more about Gordon Legal’s public liability legal assistance and get a better understanding of what compensation may be available to you, should your claim be successful.

How long do I have to make a public liability claim?

Submitting a claim for compensation can often be the last thing you want to do after suffering from an injury or incident, but it is important to act promptly as there are strict time limits around making claims.

In Victoria, typically you will need to lodge a public liability claim within three years from the date the injury occurred or when the cause of action was discoverable.

There are some exceptions to this but it’s important to seek further tailored advice from a public liability lawsuit attorney. Gordon Legal can provide information specific to your circumstance, to learn more contact one of our skilled public liability lawyers today.

What compensation am I entitled to in a public liability case?

If you’ve suffered from an injury or damage to your property due to the negligence of others, you may be entitled to compensation. It is essential to consult with a public liability legal advisor to understand your rights and to get professional advice on the compensation available to you.

Compensation types vary and can depend on the severity of your injury or the extent of the damage. They usually include reimbursement for medical expenses including past and possible future treatment costs, any rehabilitation expenses and any medication costs associated with the injury. This can also include transportation costs if you are unable to drive and home modifications needed for your recovery.

You may also be compensated for lost wages or loss of earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from working or reduce your ability to earn income.

In the case that your injury has impacted your emotional wellbeing, you may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.

Receiving what you’re entitled to is important, if you’re unsure about what you deserve and what type of compensation you may receive, reach out to one of our highly skilled public liability lawyers at Gordon Legal.

What evidence do I need to support my public liability claim?

Gathering all the relevant evidence is an important step in supporting your public liability claim. From the moment an accident or incident occurs, each photo, video and statement can play an important part in the claims result.

Any photos or videos of the accident scene can be instrumental to help illustrate any unsafe conditions or hazards, including any supporting surveillance video. Witness statements are also valuable to your claim, these can include statements from anyone who saw the incident occur or who can speak to the conditions at the time of the accident.

Documentation such as incident reports filed with the property owner or manager, medical records detailing your injuries and treatment, and receipts for any expenses related to the accident and your recovery are important pieces of evidence.

The more evidence you’re able to gather to highlight the negligence that’s taken place and why your injuries are someone else’s fault, the stronger your liability case will be. Engaging the services of a public liability negligence lawyer can make this process less stressful as your lawyer will be able to assist in gathering all the relevant evidence and presenting it in the most effective way to support your claim.

Does this information apply to you? Get in touch.

At Gordon Legal, you can rely on an experienced and understanding team to help you with your public liability claim.

For personalised and individual advice, we offer public liability lawyer consultations to discuss your specific case.

Please call Gordon Legal on 03 9603 3000 for more information.