Compensation claims,
across Queensland.
Carter Capner Law acts for people hurt on the road, at work, in a public place or after medical treatment, and on insurance and TPD claims. Queensland law sets out who pays and how long you have to act.
We will be in touch within 1–3 business days.
Injury claims under Queensland law.
Claims that can arise from road, work, medical and other incidents in Queensland, and the steps to take straight away.
Getting started
How to get started.
Three steps from your first call to knowing where you stand, and six things worth doing straight away.
About Carter Capner Law
We act for individuals on insurance and compensation claims.
Queensland-based. Three of the people we have acted for, in their own words.
All client storiesHow we act for you
The conditions on which we act for you.
Four things that shape how we act for you.
No win, no fee**.
Carter Capner Law provides insurance and compensation recovery services to the people of Queensland and the city of Brisbane. Our team of no win, no fee** lawyers act for individuals and families on compensation claims.
The no win, no fee** terms we offer in most compensation practice areas are set out in a written costs agreement. For Queensland personal injury claims run on a no win, no fee* basis, the usual statutory cap limits claim-related costs, including GST and certain additional charges, to half the total settlement or judgment entitlement remaining after required refunds and allowable disbursements are deducted. A higher amount requires the regulator’s written approval. This is a maximum, not an automatic fee.
Evidence first. Then negotiation.
We protect the time limits, gather the evidence and value the claim before negotiating with the insurer.
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STAGE 1The first weeksTime limits protected and evidence kept from the start.Limitation diary and Notice of Accident Claim preparation (CTP)Evidence and witness preservation planEarly rehabilitation funding requests, where appropriate
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STAGE 2Independent medical examinersSpecialist evidence, briefed once your injuries stabilise.Independent medical examinations by disciplineCausation, impairment and capacity analysisCompliance with the court’s expert code of conduct (UCPR)
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STAGE 3Evidence-led valuationWe value each head of damage using records, medical opinion and the Queensland valuation rules.General damages on the injury scale (Civil Liability Regulation, ISV tables)Past and future income loss, and superRefunds and outlays checked (Medicare, Centrelink)
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STAGE 4Conference and negotiationMost claims go to a compulsory conference first, and to court if they don’t settle.Compulsory conference strategy and mediationMandatory final offers aligned to MAIA cost thresholds and MAIC guidanceCourt proceedings if the claim doesn’t resolve
Queensland injury claims, step by step
How your claim is prepared.
Pick the kind of claim to see its time limits and the steps it goes through.
A road accident claim, step by step
- 1Assemble informationFirst weeksPhotos, the police event number, the other driver’s details and your account.
- 2Notice of Accident ClaimWithin 9 months, or 1 month after you first consult a lawyer, if earlierThe CTP insurer is told of the claim, with the facts and injuries.
- 3Records and evidenceWhile treatment continuesMedical, earnings and treatment records, and the evidence of fault and loss.
- 4Medical assessmentOnce injuries stabilise, often 9–12 monthsIndependent specialists report on impairment and capacity for work. The insurer may arrange its own.
- 5Valuation and conferenceWhen the evidence is completeEach part of the loss is valued, then the compulsory conference tries to settle without court.
- 6Court proceedingsWithin 60 days after the conferenceIf the claim hasn’t settled, proceedings are filed and a judge may decide it.
A general guide. Exceptions apply, for example for children and for symptoms that appear later, and a missed limit can end a claim. We check your dates when you first call.
A work injury claim, step by step
- 1WorkCover applicationWithin 6 monthsThe application for statutory benefits: weekly payments and medical costs.
- 2Benefits and rehabilitationWhile treatment continuesWorkCover pays benefits and supports your return to work while you recover.
- 3Impairment assessedOnce injuries stabiliseYour permanent impairment is assessed, which affects what can be claimed next.
- 4Notice of claim for damagesWithin the 3-year limitIf your employer was at fault, a damages claim is started with a notice of claim.
- 5Conference and negotiationBefore any court filingA compulsory conference with the insurer to try to settle without court.
- 6Court proceedingsIf the claim hasn’t settledProceedings are filed and a judge may decide the claim.
A general guide. Exceptions apply, for example for children and for symptoms that appear later, and a missed limit can end a claim. We check your dates when you first call.
A public liability or medical claim, step by step
- 1Assemble informationFirst weeksPhotos, the incident details, who owns or runs the place, and your account.
- 2First noticeWithin 9 months, or 1 month after instructions and respondent identification, if earlierPublic liability: Part 1 notice. Medical negligence: initial notice, then Part 1 with an expert report within 12 months after the required response and records are provided.
- 3Records and evidenceWhile treatment continuesMedical, earnings and treatment records, and the evidence of fault and loss.
- 4Medical assessmentOnce injuries stabilise, often 9–12 monthsIndependent specialists report on impairment and capacity for work.
- 5Valuation and conferenceWhen the evidence is completeEach part of the loss is valued, then the compulsory conference tries to settle without court.
- 6Court proceedingsWithin 60 days after the conferenceIf the claim hasn’t settled, proceedings are filed and a judge may decide it.
A general guide. Exceptions apply, for example for children and for symptoms that appear later, and a missed limit can end a claim. We check your dates when you first call.
What a claim can include
More than the hospital bill.
A claim looks at what the injury has cost you so far, and what it will cost from here.
Insurance payouts
Your own insurance may pay too.
Income protection, TPD and sickness and accident cover, often held through super, can respond whoever was at fault, alongside any claim against the party responsible.
Is my claim worthwhile?
What is my claim worth?
Answer a few questions about what happened and see a starting range for your claim. A lawyer can then talk it through with you.
Every claim we act on.
Eight areas and the claim pages under each. Find yours, or call us on 1300 529 529 if it isn’t listed.
All other compensationClass actions
Group claims we run or are investigating.
Browse active and investigating matters. Join a case or register your interest to stay updated.
- 1Register your interestLeave your details on the matter’s page so we can contact you about it.
- 2We check whether you’re in the groupWe confirm whether you fit the group and explain what joining involves.
- 3We keep you updatedYou hear from us as the matter moves forward.
Already have a lawyer?
You can change lawyers part-way through a claim.
It can be done at any stage. We explain what moving your file involves, including the costs, before you decide.
- STEP 1Tell us where your claim is up toWe look at the notices given, the time limits and the evidence gathered so far.
- STEP 2We explain the costs firstIncluding how the costs already incurred are handled when a file moves, before you decide.
- STEP 3Your file moves acrossWith your written authority, we ask your current lawyer to transfer the file.
Your questions, answered.
Common questions about our no win, no fee** compensation service. The answers are general; your own situation is covered at the no-obligation first consultation.
It means that if your claim doesn’t succeed, you won’t pay our professional fees for the work we’ve done. Depending on your costs agreement, outlays such as medical reports and filing fees may still be payable.
On the injury claims we accept, we act on a no win, no fee** basis. If your claim succeeds, our professional fees are paid from the settlement and capped by the 50/50 rule. Every cost is set out in a written costs agreement before any work starts.
Under section 347 of the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld), our professional fees can’t be more than half of what you receive after refunds and outlays are deducted. It is a limit, not a target.
You won’t pay our professional fees. Depending on your costs agreement, outlays may still be payable, and if court proceedings are lost a court can order you to pay some of the other side’s costs. We explain both in writing before you sign.
These are outlays. Who pays them, and when, is set out in your costs agreement. If your claim succeeds, they are paid from the settlement at cost.
Every cost is set out in your written costs agreement before any work starts, and in our disclosures as the claim runs, so you know what you are being charged and why.
Yes. Most injury claims must be started in court within three years, and notices are often due much sooner. CTP: 9 months, or 1 month after first seeing a lawyer, if earlier. Public liability or the initial medical notice: 9 months, or 1 month after instructing a lawyer and identifying the respondent, if earlier. WorkCover: 6 months after entitlement arises, usually the first medical assessment. Ask early.
A lawyer runs your claim from the first consultation to settlement, with paralegals and support staff alongside. You’ll know who they are, and how to reach them, from the start.
The terms, in plain English.
Eight words that come up in almost every Queensland injury claim.
Open the legal glossaryKnowledge centre
Your legal resource library.
Legal guides, live accident feeds and media from Carter Capner Law, for injury claims in Queensland and Australia.
All resourcesBlog and media
Recent decisions, explained.
Queensland court decisions that matter to injured people, and where we have spoken up on law reform, aviation safety and insurance.
All blog postsIN THE MEDIA
RECENT PUBLIC COMMENTLEGAL REFORM · 2026Calls for stronger cyclist protection laws in QueenslandLEGAL REFORMQueensland bans ‘claim farming’: on ABC Radio National’s Law ReportAVIATION SAFETYKing River helicopter crash: the ATSB’s findings on CASATRAVEL INSURANCEA call for ASIC to review claims refused over alcohol consumptionCareers
Work with us.
Lawyers, paralegals and support staff in a Queensland compensation practice, with a cadetship program and an emerging leaders program.
Refer someone
Referring someone who’s been hurt
Pass on our details, or send us the matter with their OK. There are no rewards for referrals.
Most Queensland injury claims have strict time limits.
Some notices are due within months of the injury, and a missed limit can end a claim. Which limits apply depends on how the injury happened.
Local Brisbane compensation lawyers
Find out where you stand.
Carter Capner Law acts for individuals, families and small businesses on compensation claims. Meet us at one of our offices, or by phone or video wherever you are. Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Talk to a compensation lawyer
Call us, or send your details and we’ll call you. There’s no obligation to go ahead.
1300 529 529Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pmWhat happens next
- 1We read your enquiryA member of our team reviews what you’ve sent.
- 2We call you backWithin 1–3 business days, at the time you prefer.
- 3Your no-obligation first consultationWe talk through what happened and your options, before you sign anything.
Send us your details
Fill out the form below to tell us what happened. We'll be in touch within 1–3 business days.