Slip,Trip and Fall Injury Lawyers in Melbourne and Victoria

A fall can take seconds. The impact can last for years.

If you were injured in a slip, trip or fall because a property was unsafe, poorly maintained or not properly managed, you may be entitled to compensation. Arnold Thomas & Becker has been helping injured Victorians for more than 50 years. Our experienced public liability lawyers can investigate what happened, identify who may be responsible and explain your legal options. Speak directly with a lawyer for a free, confidential assessment.

No Win. No Fee. No Fear.

Find out if you can claim Call 1300 333 300

Can I make a slip, trip or fall compensation claim? 

You may have a claim if:

  • you suffered a physical or psychological injury;
  • another person, business, organisation or public authority was responsible for the location or hazard;
  • reasonable steps could have been taken to prevent the accident; and
  • the unsafe condition contributed to your injury.

You do not need to work out who owns the property, which insurer is involved or whether your injury is serious enough before contacting us. That is what our lawyers can help determine. Even if you think you were partly responsible, you may still have a claim. Any compensation could be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility, but being partially at fault does not necessarily prevent you from seeking compensation.

Check if I have a claim

Common causes of slips, trips and falls

Slip and fall claims are not limited to wet supermarket floors. Accidents can also be caused by:

  • water, oil, grease, food or other substances on the floor;
  • recently cleaned floors without adequate warning signs;
  • uneven, cracked or broken surfaces;
  • potholes and damaged footpaths;
  • loose mats, rugs, cables or floor coverings;
  • unsafe stairs, ramps or escalators;
  • missing or defective handrails;
  • poor lighting;
  • leaking refrigerators or air-conditioning systems;
  • cluttered walkways;
  • unsafe construction or repair work;
  • defective flooring or building materials;
  • inadequate inspection and cleaning systems; or
  • a failure to fix or warn people about a known hazard.

A lawyer can investigate whether the person or organisation responsible for the property had a reasonable system for finding and addressing hazards.

What injuries can be caused by a fall?

A slip or trip can cause far more than temporary bruising. We assist people who have suffered injuries including:

  • broken or fractured bones;
  • back and spinal injuries;
  • neck injuries;
  • shoulder injuries;
  • knee and ankle injuries;
  • hip and pelvic injuries;
  • torn ligaments and tendons;
  • head injuries and concussion;
  • nerve damage;
  • scarring;
  • chronic pain;
  • aggravation of an existing condition; and
  • anxiety, depression or other psychological injuries.

Some injuries become more serious over time. If you are still experiencing pain, reduced movement or difficulty working, it is worth obtaining legal advice.

What compensation could I receive?

The compensation available will depend on the circumstances of your accident, the seriousness of your injuries and how the injury has affected your life.

Medical and rehabilitation expenses
Past and future costs associated with treatment, surgery, medication, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and other necessary services.

Care and assistance
The value of certain care and support provided by relatives, friends or professional carers.

Pain and suffering
Compensation for the pain, disability and loss of enjoyment of life caused by a qualifying significant and permanent injury.

Other injury-related expenses
Reasonable expenses arising from your injury, depending on your circumstances. Not every person will be entitled to every category of compensation. Our lawyers will assess the full impact of your injury and explain which entitlements may apply. Speak with a slip and fall lawyer

What should I do after a slip, trip or fall?

Evidence can disappear quickly. A spill may be cleaned, a broken surface may be repaired and CCTV footage may be deleted. If possible, you should:

  1. Seek medical treatment
    Tell your doctor how the accident happened and describe every symptom, even if an injury initially seems minor.
  2. Report the incident
    Notify the store, property manager, council, landlord or other responsible party. Ask for a copy of any incident report.
  3. Take photographs or video
    Record the hazard, the surrounding area, lighting, warning signs and your injuries. Include measurements where relevant.
  4. Collect witness details
    Obtain the names and contact information of anyone who saw the fall or the condition of the area.
  5. Preserve documents
    Keep receipts, medical records, correspondence, photographs and evidence of lost income or other expenses.
  6. Request that footage be preserved
    CCTV is often overwritten. A lawyer can promptly request that relevant recordings and documents be retained.
  7. Avoid signing a settlement
    Do not accept an insurer’s offer or sign a release before understanding how it may affect your rights.
  8. Get legal advice early
    Strict time limits may apply, and some claims involving councils or public authorities can present additional legal hurdles.

Do not worry if you were unable to collect evidence at the scene. We may still be able to investigate the incident and obtain useful records.

Who could be responsible for my injury?

The responsible party is not always obvious. Depending on where and how the accident occurred, a claim could involve:

  • a property owner;
  • an occupier or tenant;
  • a supermarket or retailer;
  • a shopping centre operator;
  • a cleaning contractor;
  • a landlord or property manager;
  • an owners corporation;
  • a local council;
  • a government authority;
  • a construction or maintenance contractor;
  • an event operator; or
  • another business or individual responsible for the hazard.

More than one party may share responsibility. Our lawyers can investigate ownership, maintenance obligations, cleaning arrangements, previous complaints and applicable insurance policies. In most cases, the claim is managed by the responsible party’s insurer.

What needs to be proven?

Generally, a successful public liability claim requires evidence that:

  1. someone owed you a duty to take reasonable care;
  2. they failed to take reasonable precautions against a foreseeable risk;
  3. that failure caused or contributed to your accident; and
  4. you suffered injury, loss or expense as a result.

The existence of a hazard does not automatically establish negligence. The surrounding circumstances matter, including how long the hazard existed, whether anyone knew or should have known about it, what inspection system was operating and whether adequate warnings were provided. We gather the evidence needed to assess these questions properly.

What if there was a warning sign?

A warning sign does not automatically defeat a claim. The sign must be appropriate to the hazard, visible and positioned so that people have a reasonable opportunity to avoid the danger. In some situations, a warning may not be enough and the area should have been cleaned, repaired or closed. Let a lawyer assess the circumstances before assuming you cannot claim.

What if I did not report the accident immediately?

You may still be able to make a claim. People are often shocked, embarrassed or focused on getting medical help after a fall. Some injuries also take time to become apparent. A delayed report can make evidence more difficult to obtain, but it does not necessarily prevent a claim. Contact us as soon as you can so we can determine what evidence may still be available.

How Arnold Thomas & Becker can help

A public liability claim can involve insurers, medical assessments, expert evidence and complex questions about who was responsible. Our lawyers can:

  • assess your claim at no cost;
  • identify the person or organisation responsible;
  • obtain CCTV, incident reports and maintenance records;
  • interview witnesses;
  • investigate cleaning and inspection systems;
  • collect medical evidence;
  • arrange appropriate expert assessments;
  • calculate your past and future losses;
  • negotiate with the insurer;
  • advise you before any settlement is accepted; and
  • take the matter further when a fair outcome cannot be negotiated.

We handle the legal process so you can concentrate on your health and recovery.

Getting started is straightforward

1. Tell us what happened
Call 1300 333 300 or complete the confidential enquiry form.

2. Speak directly with a lawyer
We will assess your circumstances, answer your questions and explain whether you may have a claim.

3. Decide whether to proceed
If we can assist, we will explain the process, likely next steps and our No Win No Fee agreement before you make any decision.

4. We investigate your claim
We gather evidence, deal with the insurer and work to pursue all compensation available to you. Get my free claim assessment

Why choose Arnold Thomas & Becker?

More than 50 years helping injured people
We have decades of experience representing Victorians in personal injury and public liability claims.

Speak directly with a lawyer
Your initial assessment will be handled by someone who understands injury compensation law and can answer your questions.

We understand how insurers approach claims
We know the arguments insurers may use to dispute responsibility, minimise injuries or reduce compensation.

Local lawyers across Victoria
With offices across Melbourne and regional Victoria, experienced legal help is available close to home. We can also assist by phone or video appointment.

No Win No Fee
If we take on your public liability claim under our No Win No Fee agreement, you will not pay our legal fees unless your claim is successful. We will explain the agreement clearly before you proceed.

Time limits apply to slip and fall claims

In Victoria, the time limit for commencing many personal injury proceedings is generally three years from the date the injury was discoverable. Different rules, shorter notice requirements or exceptions may apply depending on your age, capacity, the responsible party and the circumstances of the accident. Do not wait until the deadline approaches. Early advice gives your lawyer a better opportunity to preserve CCTV, photograph the location and obtain witness evidence. Even if your accident happened more than three years ago, contact us before assuming it is too late. Exceptions may apply.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a slip and fall claim worth?

There is no standard or average payout that reliably predicts the value of an individual claim. Compensation depends on factors such as the seriousness and permanence of your injuries, your treatment needs, lost earnings, future work capacity, care requirements and the strength of the evidence. Our lawyers can provide a more meaningful assessment after learning about your circumstances.

Can I claim if I slipped on a wet supermarket floor?

Potentially. The outcome may depend on how the spill occurred, how long it was present, whether staff knew or should have known about it, the store’s inspection and cleaning system and whether adequate warnings were provided.

Can I claim for tripping on a footpath?

You may have a claim, but cases involving councils and public authorities can be complex. The size and nature of the defect, inspection and maintenance systems, previous complaints and what the authority knew about the hazard may all be relevant. Photographing and measuring the defect as soon as possible can be particularly important.

Can I claim if there was no wet-floor sign?

The absence of a warning sign may be relevant, but it does not automatically guarantee compensation. You must still establish that another party failed to take reasonable care and that this contributed to your injury.

Can I claim if I was partly at fault?

Possibly. This is known as contributory negligence. Your compensation may be reduced if your actions contributed to the accident, but you may still be entitled to claim.

Do I need a permanent injury?

You do not necessarily need a permanent injury to seek compensation for financial losses such as certain medical expenses or lost earnings. However, a qualifying significant and permanent injury is generally required to recover damages for pain and suffering in Victoria.

Will I need to go to court?

Many public liability claims resolve through negotiation. Court proceedings may be necessary if responsibility is disputed or a fair settlement cannot be reached. Starting proceedings does not necessarily mean your case will proceed to a trial.

Who pays the compensation?

Public liability claims are commonly handled and paid by an insurer acting for the responsible person, business or organisation.

What if I have already spoken to an insurer?

You can still obtain independent legal advice. Avoid signing a settlement agreement or release until you understand whether it covers your future treatment, loss of income and other potential entitlements.

What does No Win No Fee mean?

If we accept your matter under our No Win No Fee agreement, you will not pay our legal fees unless your claim is successful. We will explain what the agreement covers, including the treatment of claim expenses and disbursements, before you decide whether to proceed.

What if I did not report the accident immediately?

You may still be able to make a claim. People are often shocked, embarrassed or focused on getting medical help after a fall. Some injuries also take time to become apparent. A delayed report can make evidence more difficult to obtain, but it does not necessarily prevent a claim.

Do I need to know who was responsible before contacting a lawyer?

No. Identifying the potentially responsible party is part of what a public liability lawyer can help with. You can contact us even if you are unsure who owned, occupied or managed the property.

 

Find out if you can claim

You do not need to know who was responsible. You do not need to have all the evidence. You do not need to understand public liability law.

You only need to tell us what happened. Speak directly with an experienced slip and fall lawyer for a free, confidential assessment.

Call 1300 333 300 or complete the form below. No Win. No Fee. No Fear.