Introduction
If you fall over on private premises, you may have grounds to pursue legal action to receive financial compensation.
But what happens if you fall over in a public place? And who is responsible in this situation?
Table of Contents
Who is Responsible?
Any organisation that is responsible for maintaining a space also has a duty of care that extends to those using the area.
In the case of a restaurant, for example, the business holds a duty of care to its patrons and any other members of the public in the premises. In other areas it might be the local council, transport organisations or other specific agencies that holds responsibility for maintaining a space. This also means these organisations can be liable if you are injured as a result of a preventable accident.
Public Areas with Serious Risk of Injuries
There are many public areas where there is a serious risk of injuries as a result of poor maintenance. These issues can include:
- Uneven or cracked pavement.
- Potholes and worn tarmac.
- Inadequate warning signs around potential hazards like road works.
- Obstructed walkways and stairs.
- Poor street lighting.
Regardless of how the accident occurred, people still need to think about what they are going to do after they have been injured in a fall. Time limits apply, so it’s important to think seriously about the following steps and embark on them promptly to give your case the best chance of success.
What to Do After a Fall in Public
As with a fall in a private space, the first step is going to be to document the scene and get the contact details of anyone who might have witnessed the fall or trip. This information will be important for assembling your case – it will be up to your legal team to prove the injury caused by poor maintenance.
Then, contact an accident lawyer who will take care of negotiations with the insurer. Choosing a no-win, no-fee lawyer, means you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. An experienced public liability and negligence lawyer combined with a barrister (experts in the field) will be able to negotiate the maximium compensation for your case.
Seeking Compensation
Compensation can be sought for a number of different costs – from medical expenses to lost wages. Get in contact with us today to determine if you have the legal grounds to warrant pursuing a claim.
Even in accidents where it was partly your fault, there could still be grounds to make a claim and it is worth contacting us.
For more information on personal injury claims and how they may be affected by falls in public places, contact PK Simpson personal injury lawyers.
$435,000 win for our client who injured himself falling off a faulty chair at work #NSW #Workerscomp #workinjury #Sydney #Blacktown
— PK Simpson InjuryLaw (@PK_SimpsonAU) June 14, 2017
Explore our comprehensive resources on public liability to better understand your rights and the complexities of these cases:
- Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries
- Shopping Centre Accident Claims
- Supermarket Injury Claims
- Sydney Slip and Fall Claims
- Injuries In A Public Place
- Slip Trip And Fall
Related Blog Posts
- What Determines Liability in a Slip and Fall Accident?
- What To Do If You Fall Over In A Public Place
- What To Do If You Fall Over on Private Property
- Slip and Fall Compensation Claims in Shopping Centres and Supermarkets
- Occupiers Liability Claims – Slip and Fall Accidents
- Slip and Fall Accidents and Your Rights
- What principles apply to falls on public property?
- Private property injuries: What are your options?
- Public Liability Results NSW - Compensation
Specific Location Claims
- Sydney Slips, Trips & Falls Injury Claims
- Parramatta Slips, Trips & Falls Injury Claims
- North Sydney Slips, Trips & Falls Injury Claims
- Liverpool Slips, Trips & Falls Injury Claims
For expert legal advice on public liability claims and to discuss your potential case, contact PK Simpson today. We're here to help you understand your rights and get the compensation you deserve.