Claims that can arise from incidents on the road, at work, when travelling and in public or private places across Australia, and the steps to take straight away.
Not sure which area applies? At the no-obligation first consultation, a lawyer confirms the area, the time limits and the next steps.Start your case reviewContact our team
Getting started
How to get started.
Three steps from your first call to knowing where you stand, and six things worth doing straight away.
1TODAYCall, chat or send your detailsCall 1300 529 529, chat online, or use the short form. It takes a few minutes.
2WITHIN 2 BUSINESS HOURSAn injury expert examines your circumstances and makes contactAn injury expert examines every enquiry, and we will be in touch within 2 business hours.
3AT YOUR FIRST CONSULTATIONNo-obligation first consultationWe explain your options, the time limits and the costs in writing. You decide whether to go ahead.
OFFICE HOURSCall us during business hours.Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Carter Capner Law provides insurance and compensation recovery services to people across Australia. 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 that is fully transparent and consumer protection compliant.
No-obligation first consultationNo upfront professional feesWe set out our costs in writing at the start.Fully transparent legal costs
We are committed to finding smarter ways to deliver legal services.
Wherever appropriate, we use artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies to streamline repetitive and time-consuming tasks involved in personal injury claims. This helps us work more efficiently, reduce costs to clients and optimise the value we provide.
AI supports our injury experts by helping us to complete some routine tasks in less time but always requires careful verification by a lawyer expert.
All decisions, advice and strategic recommendations are those of a personal injury expert and have the benefit of the decades of experience, skill and judgment of our entire team.
How we run your claim
Evidence first. Then negotiation.
We protect the time limits, gather the evidence and value the claim before negotiating with the insurer.
PHASE 1Evidence firstTime limits, medical evidence and the valuation.
PHASE 2Then negotiation
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
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)
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)
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
THROUGHOUT YOUR CLAIM
No win, no fee**Costs explained in plain English up front, with statutory protections that cap and control fees in personal injury matters.No upfront legal feesProfessional fees payable only if your claim succeeds
Queensland schemesCTP (MAIA), public liability and medical matters (PIPA/CLA), and NIISQ, statewide, in person or remote.Queensland scheme rules apply statewideIn-person or video consultationsNext steps explained at each stage
No win, no fee**Offered under a signed conditional costs agreement. You pay our professional fees only if your claim succeeds.
Outlays and professional feesOutlays are out-of-pocket costs paid to others, such as medical reports and court fees. We may pay them as the claim runs. If your claim succeeds, outlays are repaid from your settlement at cost. If your claim does not succeed, we absorb those outlays in most cases, unless you have agreed to pay them under your costs agreement.
Fully transparent legal costsThe no win, no fee* terms we offer in most compensation practice areas are set out in a written costs agreement that is fully transparent and consumer protection compliant. Conditional costs agreements have a 5-business-day cooling-off period, and we explain every term in plain English before you sign.
Pick the kind of claim to see its time limits and the steps it goes through.
TIME LIMITS
9monthsto give the Notice of Accident Claim, or 1 month after you first see a lawyer, if that is earlier.MAIA s 37
3monthsif the other vehicle can’t be identified: notice to the Nominal Defendant.MAIA s 37
3yearsto start court proceedings, usually from the day of the injury.Limitation of Actions Act s 11
60daysto start court proceedings after the compulsory conference, if the claim hasn’t settled.MAIA s 51D
THE STEPS · ROAD ACCIDENT
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.
TIME LIMITS
6monthsto lodge a WorkCover application after your right to compensation arises.WCRA s 131
3yearsto start court proceedings, usually from the day of the injury.Limitation of Actions Act s 11
THE STEPS · INJURED AT WORK
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.
TIME LIMITS
9monthsto give Part 1 (public liability) or the initial notice (medical negligence), or 1 month after instructing a lawyer and identifying the respondent, if earlier.PIPA ss 9, 9A
3yearsto start court proceedings, usually from the day of the injury.Limitation of Actions Act s 11
60daysto start court proceedings after the compulsory conference, if the claim hasn’t settled.PIPA s 42
THE STEPS · PUBLIC PLACE, PRODUCT OR MEDICAL
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.
UP TO TODAYWhat it has cost so far
Treatment so farHospital, doctors, physio, medication and aids already paid for.
Lost income and superWages, and the employer super on them, lost while the injury kept you from work.
Care so farPaid care, and help from family and friends where the scheme allows.
Travel and expensesTravel to treatment and other costs the injury caused.
TODAY
FROM HERE ONWhat it will cost from here
Future treatmentTreatment, rehabilitation and medication you are likely to need.
Future earning capacityWhere the injury affects the work you can do from here on, including super.
Future careCare and help at home you are likely to need.
Aids and changesEquipment, and changes to your home or car, that the injury makes necessary.
AND ALSO
Pain and sufferingGeneral damages for the injury itself, assessed on Queensland’s injury scale.
Insurance benefitsTPD, income protection and other policies, often held through super.
What can be claimed depends on the scheme and the facts. WorkCover benefits differ from a damages claim. We explain what applies to you at the first consultation.
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.
1 · A COMPENSATION CLAIMAgainst whoever was at faultA claim for damages against the person or business responsible, usually paid by their insurer.
Road: the CTP insurer of the vehicle at faultWork: WorkCover Queensland or a self-insurerPublic place or medical: the occupier’s or provider’s insurer
Each scheme has its own notices and time limits, set out in How your claim is prepared above.
+AND
2 · YOUR OWN INSURANCEWhoever was at faultCover you hold yourself, often through your super fund. It can respond whether or not anyone else was at fault.
Income protectionA monthly benefit, usually part of your income, while an injury keeps you off work.
TPDTotal and permanent disablement: a lump sum if you’re unlikely to return to work suited to your training and experience.
Sickness and accidentCover for set injuries, or for time off work after one.
Travel insuranceMedical and other costs after an injury while you travel.
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
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. If your claim succeeds, outlays are repaid from your settlement at cost. If your claim does not succeed, we absorb those outlays in most cases, unless you have agreed to pay them under your costs agreement.
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. Every cost is set out in a written costs agreement before any work starts.
The no win, no fee* terms we offer in most compensation practice areas are set out in a written costs agreement that is fully transparent and consumer protection compliant.
You won’t pay our professional fees. If your claim succeeds, outlays are repaid from your settlement at cost. If your claim does not succeed, we absorb those outlays in most cases, unless you have agreed to pay them under your costs agreement. 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, outlays are repaid from your settlement at cost. If your claim does not succeed, we absorb those outlays in most cases, unless you have agreed to pay them under your costs agreement.
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.
An Injury Expert conducts every 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.
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.
Find out where you standA no-obligation first consultation with a compensation lawyer.
How the loss is valuedWe value each part of your claim against the applicable rules before negotiating.
How we report to youWe report to you at each stage and take your instructions before each key step.
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