Slips and Falls

What is a slip and fall claim?

A slip and fall claim arises when a person is injured (most often in a public place, or at work) by either slipping on something that has been left on the floor (e.g. water), or falls down stairs or off a platform.

If you fall and injure yourself in circumstances described above, you may be entitled to claim compensation.  

What is the claim process?

If your fall happened at work, you have a claim against WorkCover Queensland. If the fall happened in a public space, your claims will be against the owner or controller of the area; in most cases, they will have public liability insurance and your claim will be handled by their insurer.

To commence your claim, you need to issue a Notice of Claim either to WorkCover Queensland, or to the owner/controller of the public space, as appropriate.

How long do I have to make a claim after injury?

Under Queensland law, you have 3 years from the date of your accident to make a claim for compensation. However, you should seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity because the longer you leave it, the harder it gets to gather critical evidence about your accident to support your claim.

The earlier you seek legal advice, the earlier your claim can be properly investigated for the maximum prospect of success.

How much can I claim, and who pays compensation?

If you have fallen at work and you can establish entitlement, WorkCover Queensland will be responsible for your compensation.

If you fall in a public space, the owner or controller of that place will be liable to compensate you. They are likely to be covered by their public liability insurer, so the insurer will be responsible for paying your claim.