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Switch to Carter Capner.
Move your compensation claim to us at any stage. No reason needed, one page to sign, and the costs explained before you decide.
No-obligation first consultation. We will be in touch within 2 business hours.
- No reason neededYou can change lawyers at any stage, without explaining why.
- One page to signAn authority. We contact your current lawyer and ask for the file.
- Costs explained firstIncluding how the costs already incurred are paid, before you decide.
When switching makes sense
Why people move their claim
None of these means your lawyer has done anything wrong. They are the reasons people most often call us, and what we do about each.
- Not sure where it’s up toYou don’t know which notices have gone in, or when the next deadline falls.We list every notice given and every time limit, with the dates.
- Can’t get an answerCalls and emails go unanswered, or you’re not sure who is running your file.We report to you at each stage and take your instructions before each key step.
- An offer has arrivedYou’d like it looked at before you sign. A signed settlement usually can’t be reopened.We look at what the offer covers and what it leaves out, before you decide.
- Told it isn’t worth runningYou’d like a second view before you let the claim go.We read the file and tell you plainly what we see.
- Your lawyer has moved onThe lawyer you dealt with has left, or the firm has closed or merged.We take the file over and check every deadline the day it arrives.
- Someone easier to reachCloser to home, or a lawyer who meets by phone or video, or comes to you.Offices in Brisbane, Woolloongabba and Browns Plains, plus phone, video, home and hospital visits.
If you’re happy with your lawyer, stay.
If something isn’t right, raise it with them first. A phone call often sorts it out. If it doesn’t, or you’d like a second view before you decide, talk to us.
Why switch to us
What you get when you switch to us
The same terms and the same method on every file, including one that comes across part-way.
No win, no fee*
No professional fees unless your claim succeeds, under a written costs agreement.
How no win, no fee* worksTerms in writing
Your costs agreement sets out every term before work starts, with five business days to change your mind.
Our costs disclosureKept informed
We report to you at each stage, by phone, email or video, and take your instructions before each key step.
Across Australia
Offices in Brisbane, Woolloongabba and Browns Plains. Phone and video anywhere, and home or hospital visits.
Find an office
The CCL method
Evidence first. Then negotiation.
A file that comes across from another firm joins at the step it has reached.
- Evidence first · 01
Assemble the facts
What you can tell us, checked against other sources and kept in one record.
- Evidence first · 02
Prepare the claim notice
Lodged once the facts are confirmed and every party is identified.
- Evidence first · 03
Keep collecting the evidence
Treatment, medical history, and work and income records.
- Evidence first · 04
Independent medical evidence
Specialists assess the injury and its lasting effects.
- Evidence first · 05
Value the claim
Each part valued on the evidence, under the Queensland rules.
- Then negotiation · 06
Negotiate
Offers exchanged at the settlement conference, with the preparation done.
How switching works
Three steps, and you sign one page
Here is what you do and what we do at each step.
- Today
Tell us where your claim is up to
A phone call or the short form below. It takes a few minutes.
- You
- Call, or use the form below. Have your dates handy if you can.
- We
- Look at the notices given, the time limits and the evidence so far.
- Before you decide
We explain the costs first
Nothing moves until you have read the costs and decided to go ahead.
- You
- Bring your current costs agreement, if you have it.
- We
- Explain how the costs already incurred are handled, and our own costs, in writing.
- Once you sign
Your file moves across
Your current lawyer hands the file over as soon as reasonably possible.
- You
- Sign one page: the authority. That’s all.
- We
- Send it with our costs undertaking, receive the file and check every deadline first.
What comes across with your file
- Notices and claim formsEverything already lodged with the insurer, WorkCover or the respondent.
- Medical records and reportsIncluding specialist reports already obtained.
- CorrespondenceWith the insurer, the other side and anyone else on the file.
- Time limits and court datesYour current lawyer must tell us about deadlines and work coming up.
- Receipts and expensesTreatment costs, travel and other outlays already claimed.
What you don’t have to do
- Contact your current lawyerWe do that, once you sign the authority.
- Give a reasonYou can change lawyers without explaining why.
- Start againThe notices, reports and correspondence come across with the file.
What stays the same
- Your claim
- The insurer
- The evidence gathered
- The deadlines
The costs
Who pays what, and when
Each firm is paid for its own work. You don’t pay for the same work twice.
- The work your current lawyer has donePaid toYour current lawyerUsually from the settlement if the claim succeeds. Your current costs agreement decides.
- Releasing the filePaid toSecured now, not paidOur written undertaking protects their costs, so the file can move.
- Our work from herePaid toCarter Capner LawSet out in a written costs agreement before we start, with the 50/50 rule explained.
Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules, rule 15 (lien over documents). QLS Guidance Statement No 30 (transfer of files).
Why a file can be held
A lawyer who is owed costs can hold a file until those costs are secured. That is called a lien.
How it is released
We give a written undertaking to protect those costs. It is the usual way a file moves under the conduct rules.
The 50/50 rule
Our professional fees can’t be more than half of the net amount, after refunds and outlays. We explain how it applies when two firms have worked on a claim.
The clock
Switching doesn’t stop the clock
The time limits keep running while a file moves. Tell us your dates early, and if one is close, call rather than send the form.
- 9monthsto give the Notice of Accident Claim after a road accident, or 1 month after you first consult a lawyer, if earlier.MAIA s 37
- 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
Already seen a lawyer about a road accident? The one-month notice period may already have started from that first consultation. Tell us the date when you call.
A general guide. Exceptions apply, for example for children.
Talk to our team
Talk to us about switching
Call us, or send your details and we’ll call you. There’s no obligation to move.
What happens next
- We read your enquiryA lawyer reviews what you’ve sent, including where your claim is up to.
- We call you backWithin 2 business hours. Sooner if a time limit is close.
- Your no-obligation first consultationWe go through the costs and what moving involves. You decide after that.
Have these handy
- Your current costs agreement, if you have it
- The date of the accident or injury
- Your current lawyer’s name and firm
- Any offer or letter from the insurer
Call your nearest office
- Brisbane CBD07 3210 3444
- Woolloongabba07 3210 3418
- Browns Plains07 3105 5994
- Sunshine Coast1300 552 908
- North Sydney1300 529 529
Thank you. Your enquiry has been sent.
A lawyer will read it, and we will be in touch within 2 business hours. If a time limit is close, call us on 1300 529 529.
Or book a Teams meetingNo upfront professional fees. No win, no fee*: you pay our professional fees only if your claim succeeds, under a written costs agreement.
Questions
What people ask before they switch
Not answered here? Call 1300 529 529 and ask for a lawyer.
Can I change lawyers part-way through a claim?
Yes. You can change at any stage, and you don’t have to explain why. Your current costs agreement may set out what happens when it ends, and we go through that with you.
Will switching delay my claim?
Some time goes to the file moving across. We ask for it the day you sign the authority, and check the deadlines as soon as it arrives.
Will I pay twice?
No. Each firm is paid for its own work, not the same work twice. How the costs already incurred are handled depends on your current costs agreement, and we explain it before anything moves.
What if my lawyer won’t release the file?
A lawyer who is owed costs can hold a file until those costs are secured. A written undertaking from us usually resolves it. Queensland Law Society guidance expects files to be released promptly.
What happens to my medical reports?
They are part of your file and come across with it, along with the notices and correspondence. We don’t start again from scratch.
Do I have to tell my lawyer myself?
No. Once you sign the authority, we contact them.
Can I get a second opinion without switching?
Yes. We look at where your claim is up to and tell you what we see. You decide what to do next, including staying where you are.
I’ve already had an offer. Is it too late?
No, but tell us when it expires. An offer can be looked at before it’s accepted. Once a settlement is signed, it usually can’t be reopened.