If you have been injured or suffered damage as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to make a public liability claim. If you are the dependent of a person who has died as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may also be entitled to claim.

Most public liability claims are made against businesses and property owners, as they are required to carry public liability insurance.

There are many ways in which an injury or damage can occur. These include:

• Slips, trips and falls in a public place, including shopping malls, public footpaths or swimming pools.
• Injury due to faulty building or construction work, for example if a balcony or stairwell collapses or a fence gives way causing a fall.
• Being bitten by a dog or other animal, causing injury, infection or disease.
• Sporting injuries caused by unsafe equipment or facilities, for example being struck by a cricket ball or fracturing a limb due to uneven or ill maintained grounds.
• Injuries occurring on play equipment at a playground, childcare centre or school.
• Incidents at recreational events like clubs, bars or music festivals.
• Damage to your goods, buildings or land.
  
  

There are a number of things for which you can seek compensation.

These depend on the injuries sustained, but may include:

• Medical costs, including costs you expect to incur in the future.
• Lost income or superannuation payments to compensate you for time off work.
• Compensation for income you are likely to lose in the future because of your injuries.
• Home help and carer payments.
• Rehabilitation costs.
• Compensation for pain and suffering.