All property owners and occupiers – including shopping centres, landlords, employers, and councils – have a legal duty to maintain safe premises. Slip and fall claims can arise from:

• Wet or slippery floors without warning signs
• Uneven or broken surfaces (e.g., tiles, stairs, pavements)
• Spills not cleaned up in a timely manner
• Poor lighting, loose rugs, or hidden trip hazards

You may have a valid claim if your injury was caused by someone failing to take reasonable care in these environments.

Compensation varies depending on the seriousness of your injury and how it affects your life, work, and future. You may be eligible to claim for:

General Damages

To compensate for pain, suffering, and reduced enjoyment of life caused by the injury.

Special Damages

• Medical and treatment costs (past and future)
• Loss of income and future earning potential
• Rehabilitation, transport, and other out-of-pocket expenses

Domestic Assistance

You may also be entitled to compensation for unpaid help from family or friends, if needed due to your injuries.

Our Slip and Fall Lawyers can assess your claim and help you maximise your entitlements.

Strong evidence can significantly improve your chances of a successful claim. Try to collect the following as early as possible:

• Photos or video of the scene and hazard (e.g. wet floors, broken tiles)
• Contact details of any witnesses
• Photos of your injuries
• Medical records, reports, referrals, and receipts
• Notes on how the incident happened and your symptoms
• Records of time off work and lost income
• Details of help received from friends or family (e.g. housework, transport)

If you’re unsure what evidence is relevant, our Slip and Fall Lawyers can guide you through the process.

Whether your claim is worthwhile depends on the seriousness of your injury and how it affects your ability to work, care for yourself, or enjoy daily life.

Claims for minor injuries with no long-term impact may not be economical to pursue. However, if your injury has led to ongoing pain, income loss, medical treatment, or need for assistance, it’s likely worth exploring.

We’ll assess your situation during your free initial consultation and let you know if you’re eligible for our No Win No Fee service.

Most slip and fall claims are settled out of court through informal settlement conferences with the insurer. In fact, the majority of compensation claims are resolved without the need for a trial.

If your claim does proceed to court, it’s usually because a fair settlement couldn’t be reached. Even then, our lawyers will handle most of the legal process, and you may only need to attend if your input is essential to the outcome.

In some cases, we can also apply to the court for early payments for medical expenses or rehabilitation while the claim is ongoing.

Yes — strict time limits apply to slip and fall claims in Queensland. These depend on the nature of the incident and the party responsible (e.g. council, landlord, or business).

• A written notice of claim must generally be given within 1 month of speaking with a lawyer
• Claims must usually be formally lodged within 9 months of the incident
• Court proceedings must generally begin within 3 years of the injury date

Different rules may apply for minors or individuals under legal incapacity. If you’re outside a time limit, you may still qualify by providing a reasonable excuse for the delay. Our Slip and Fall Lawyers can help you navigate this process.

It’s common in slip and fall cases for the responsible party to be unclear at first — especially in shopping centres, rental properties, or shared public spaces.

Our Slip and Fall Lawyers will investigate the ownership and management of the premises to identify the correct party to pursue. This might be a:

• Private business (e.g. supermarket or café)
• Residential landlord or body corporate
• Local council or government body
• Contractor or maintenance provider

Don’t let uncertainty stop you from claiming. We’ll handle the investigations and ensure the right party is held accountable.

The duration of a slip and fall claim depends on the complexity of your case, the severity of your injuries, and how cooperative the insurer is during negotiations.

Some claims may resolve within months, while others take longer due to:

• Time needed for your injuries to stabilise before assessment
• Delays in insurer response or dispute over liability
• Court scheduling or availability of medical reports

Finalising a claim too early can lead to under-compensation. Our Slip and Fall Lawyers will ensure your claim is handled thoroughly and settled at the right time for the best result.

Yes — even if you were partly at fault for the incident (e.g. not paying attention or wearing unsuitable footwear), you may still be entitled to compensation.

This is known as contributory negligence, and it means your compensation may be reduced based on your share of responsibility. For example, if you’re found 25% at fault, your payout could be reduced by that amount.

Our Slip and Fall Lawyers are experienced in dealing with these arguments and will fight to minimise any deductions made to your compensation.

Yes — tenants and guests can often claim compensation if injured due to unsafe conditions in a rental property. Landlords, agents, or body corporates have a duty to maintain the premises in a safe condition.

Common hazards include:

• Loose tiles or floorboards
• Leaking pipes causing slippery floors
• Broken stairs or railings
• Poor lighting in common areas

Our Slip and Fall Lawyers will investigate who is responsible and help you pursue a claim under public liability insurance or landlord insurance policies.

Yes — businesses like supermarkets, shopping centres, and retail stores have a legal duty to keep their premises safe for customers. If you slipped due to a spill, cluttered aisle, or unsafe flooring, you may be eligible to claim compensation.

These claims often involve:

• Wet or recently mopped floors without warning signs
• Leaking refrigeration units or drink fridges
• Spilled products not cleaned up promptly
• Obstructions or trip hazards in walkways

Our Slip and Fall Lawyers will help gather evidence and deal directly with the store’s insurer to pursue your compensation.

Yes — if your slip and fall injury prevents you from working, you may be entitled to a lump sum payout through your superannuation under a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance policy.

Most super funds include TPD cover, which may apply if:

• You are unlikely to return to work in your usual role or any suitable alternative
• Your injury causes ongoing physical or psychological limitations

Our team can check your super fund eligibility and prepare your TPD claim alongside your public liability claim to help you access all available compensation.

If you slipped or tripped on a public footpath, park, or roadside managed by a local council, you may still be entitled to compensation. However, claims against councils are subject to stricter legal standards and timeframes.

To succeed, you must generally prove the council:

• Knew or should reasonably have known about the hazard
• Failed to take steps to fix it or provide adequate warning

You must also give written notice within 30 days of consulting a lawyer, so time is critical. Our Slip and Fall Lawyers are experienced in council liability claims and can act quickly to protect your rights.

If you were injured in a slip or fall while working — whether at a job site, office, warehouse, or retail setting — you may be entitled to claim Workers’ Compensation through WorkCover Queensland or your employer’s insurer.

However, in some cases, you may also be eligible to make a separate public liability claim, especially if:

• You were injured on someone else’s premises while working (e.g. delivery driver, contractor)
• A third party (not your employer) caused the hazard

Our Slip and Fall Lawyers will assess both options and help you pursue the claim that provides the best outcome — or both, if applicable.

Yes — both children and elderly individuals can make a compensation claim if they’re injured in a slip and fall incident due to someone else’s negligence.

For children, a parent or legal guardian can bring a claim on their behalf. Time limits are extended — generally, the child has until their 21st birthday to start court proceedings.

For elderly individuals, the law recognises their increased vulnerability. Compensation can cover additional needs such as:

• Mobility aids or home modifications
• Increased care or assistance
• Loss of independence or quality of life

We handle claims with care and sensitivity to ensure proper support is provided throughout the process.