What is a Public Liability Claim?

Anyone who has sustained an injury in a public place or on private property, due to negligence or a deliberate act, is able to make a claim for compensation. This is broadly known as a public liability claim.

What are the types of Public Liability Claims?

Public liability refers to any injury sustained in a public place. This includes injuries at schools, parks or other public places (slips, trips and falls), gyms etc.

How Long Does a Public Liability Claim Take?

This varies depending on how the injury occurred and the nature and extent of the injury you have sustained. Most public liability claims however take between 1-3 years. A public liability claim can often be resolved with the public liability insurer without the need to go to court however sometimes it is necessary to commence a claim in court and this makes the claim longer to resolve.

What Public Liability Compensation Can be Claimed?

If negligence is established, you will be entitled to compensation for the following types of damages: Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life, a lump sum payment for the injury sustained and the effects on you; out of pocket expenses; loss of income; and care and assistance.

Public Liability Lawyers

What is Public Liability?

Public Liability is an area of compensation law that covers accidents that occur in a public place; such as falls in the street, in shopping centres, or in your own home

Have you been physically or psychologically injured, and you can’t claim compensation through the motor accident or work cover commission or insurer in your state?

If so, you may be able to seek compensation by making a public liability claim.

Free Claim Check

5-Star Client Rating

You’ll receive outstanding service. We maintain a 5-star client rating.

Free Case Assessments

We provide confidential, free case assessments.

Industry Experts

We’re industry experts with over 20 years of experience.

No Win No Fee

You won’t be required to pay any fees until we win your case.

5-Star Client Rating

You’ll receive outstanding service. We maintain a 5-star client rating.

Free Case Assessments

We provide confidential, free case assessments.

Industry Experts

We’re industry experts with over 20 years of experience.

No Win No Fee

You won’t be required to pay any fees until we win your case.

We specialise in Public Liability Compensation Claims

Types of Claims Public Liability Lawyers Can Help With

Public liability refers to any injury sustained in a public place. This includes;

Injuries at schools
Injuries in parks or other public places (slips, trips and falls)
Injuries on council-owned land (fall on footpath or council caused danger)
Injuries on rented premises (landlord/tenant)
Injuries while on public transport
Injuries caused by animals (like a dog attack)
Swimming pool accidents
Amusement park accidents
Injuries in gyms
Boating accidents
Food poisoning
Supermarket or shopping centre injuries
Physical assault
Sexual assault

We’ve selected some of our public liability cases that include a range of injuries, circumstances, and compensation amounts for you to examine here.

Types of claims

The Claims Process:

Obligation free meeting with Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law
Understand what you are entitled to, the process and timeframe
Proceed on a No Win No Fee basis
Your case is built using the best experts to achieve the optimum result
Your will be kept updated throughout the process
We will secure the financial result in the shortest possible timeframe

Would you like assistance with your claim?

Complete our free, no obligation confidential case assessment form and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

Alternatively, we are available to talk by phone and email. Please contact our experienced accredited specialist personal injury lawyers to find out how we can help.

Call now to start your claim 02 8329 9500

No Win No Fee

You won’t be required to pay any fees until we win your case.

Industry Experts

We’re industry experts with over 20 years of experience.

Maximum Compensation

Our team of expert injury lawyers will help you get maximum compensation.

Graeme M.

04:22 29 Oct 25

Matthew Garling and his team have been excellent in dealing with my case. I am very happy with the result and the process to guide me through everything over the last two years. Most importantly... happy with the payout. Highly recommend if you’re thinking of claiming for an injury caused by another party.read more

Melanie F.

00:20 18 Oct 25

3 years ago, I got injured at work and at first I was denied getting any help from a certain insurance company so I looked up lawyers that could possibly help me getting what I was entitled to and I... am so glad Garling and co took on that responsibility to help me,I still have some way to go but Kerry Byrnes and her team have gone above and beyond for me I am so grateful I had her in my corner,I highly recommend Garling and co I don’t know where I would be now if not for guidance and understanding THANKYOU Kerry and team I am 1 happy customerread more

steve J.

00:38 29 Sep 25

Brilliant Service and I am always kept well informed. Definitely recommend this law firm to anyone seeking compensation lawyers. I really appreciate and thank Matthew and his wonderful team for their... incredible and sincere hard work they have put in for my case in the last couple of years. My family and I are blessed and very satisfied with our outcome. God Bless you Matthew Garling and your team.read more

Mark W.

10:50 17 Sep 25

Garling and Co. are an exceptional outfit. Matthew Garling is a talented lawyer and supported and surrounded by a great team of people including Allison Luck and others. What made Matthew... particularly impressive with my case were his ability to communicate complex legal processes and simplify options for the next steps, his genuine interest in the law, and his passion to seek appropriate compensation on my behalf. He was not ready to settle my case until I was ready to settle the case. I am very grateful to have had Garling and Co. 'in my corner' and would not hesitate to recommend this business to others.read more

Elyce

22:22 06 Sep 25

I never imagined this chapter would close, but it finally has.I cannot thank Joelle enough for the incredible support she gave me during one of the most challenging times in my life.Her... professionalism and genuine care throughout my claim process exceeded all my expectations.Whenever I contacted Garling and Co to speak with Joelle, I was assisted by Lynn. She was always polite, clear, and concise, and consistently showed empathy whenever I called or emailed.read more

Anonymous 1.

22:02 04 Sep 25

I was referred to Garling & Co Lawyers, after previously retaining another law firm who failed to progress my matter for a period verging on three years.This was extremely frustrating and damaging,... causing me a lot of unnecessary stress and unreasonable delays. After my first conference with Matthew, he understood the challenges that I had faced and that I wanted to resolve my matter with the defendant reasonably and in a timely manner.My matter was resolved at mediation and during the process, Matthew and Dallas Morgan (barrister), professionally communicated the procedure to me and they negotiated a reasonable settlement, that I was comfortable in accepting.Thank you to Matthew and Allison for being patient with me during the most challenging time of my life. I can now move on with my life and heal. Had I not retained Garling & Co Lawyers, I highly doubt my matter would ever have been resolved.read more

Sammy R.

01:07 04 Sep 25

Garling and Co have been the best lawyers. Kerry and Matthew have worked and been working on my case for a long time now. They have worked so hard and fought for my case every step of the way. They... are highly experienced in what they do, and are compassionate at the same time. I highly recommend this firm. My life changed in an instant when I was hit by a car, I will be forever grateful for the help they've given me. 10/10read more

Donelle L.

20:37 11 Aug 25

So very happy with the service Garling has provided with both of my claims from the start to the end cannot thank them enough Mathew and the team are the best

Rachel J

01:46 09 Aug 25

The level of service that Garling & Co provides is truely unmatched.Thank you to both Matthew and Allison for your professionalism & dedication throughout my journey of being a client.Matthew... provided me with genuine, factual and straightforward advice throughout the process and this made things easy to understand and put any uncertainty I had to rest. A complicated process ran smoothly and I always felt supported, knew where things were at and that I was in good hands.The communication at Garling & Co is exceptional. Every question I had, whether by email or phone was responded to in a timely manner and at every stage I was confident Matthew would be guiding me through the next steps - which he did, until my case was finalised.Thank you for upholding clients dignity and respect, these are values people like me need in such critical times of their lives. As a client, it is clear these values shine through. You provided me with a safe space where I was able to focus on my day to day challenges caused by my injuries, while you took care of the legal aspect on my behalf.Lastly, I’m grateful for your commitment to the work that you do and the care that you provide to people who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances beyond their control. And thank you so much for the very positive outcome that I received.read more

Ros P.

07:12 29 Jun 25

Staff polite, clear and concise. Explained well in a logistical manner. Overall a great service.

Public Liability Lawyer FAQs

1. Who is a Public Liability Lawyer?

A public liability lawyer is a legal professional who specialises in public liability law. These lawyers have in-depth knowledge of the legal framework that governs public liability cases and can provide legal advice and representation to clients who have suffered injuries or damages in public places.

2. What Does a Public Liability Lawyer Do?

Public liability lawyers are responsible for representing clients who have suffered injuries or damages in public places due to the negligence of another party. Their primary role is to help clients receive the compensation they deserve for their losses.

Some of the tasks that a public liability lawyer may perform include:

Investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident
Gathering evidence to support the client’s case
Negotiating with the other party or their insurance company
Filing a claim in court if a settlement cannot be reached
Representing the client in court
Providing legal advice and guidance throughout the claims process

3. Importance of Hiring a Public Liability Lawyer

If you’ve been injured or suffered damages in a public place, it’s essential to seek legal advice from a public liability lawyer. These lawyers have the knowledge and experience to navigate the complexities of public liability law and can help you receive the compensation you deserve.

4. When Should You Consult a Public Liability Lawyer?

If you’ve been injured or suffered damages in a public place, you should consult a public liability lawyer as soon as possible. The earlier you seek legal advice, the better your chances of receiving fair compensation for your losses.
It’s also important to consult a public liability lawyer if:

You’re unsure whether you have a valid claim
The other party’s insurance company is disputing your claim
You’ve received a settlement offer that you’re unsure about
You’re concerned that you may be liable for damages

5. How to Choose a Public Liability Lawyer?

Choosing the right public liability lawyer can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. When selecting a lawyer, consider the following factors:

Experience: Look for a lawyer who has experience handling public liability cases similar to yours.
Reputation: Check online reviews and ask for referrals from family, friends, or colleagues.
Communication: Choose a lawyer who communicates clearly and promptly and keeps you informed throughout the process.
Fees: Make sure you understand the lawyer’s fee structure and how they will charge for their services.
Accredited Specialist: Choose a lawyer who is an accredited specialist in personal injury law in NSW.

6. What to Expect from a Public Liability Lawyer?

A public liability lawyer should provide you with the following services:

Initial consultation: A lawyer should offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case and determine whether you have a valid claim.
Investigation: A lawyer should conduct a thorough investigation of your case, including gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with experts.
Negotiation: A lawyer should negotiate with the other party or their insurance company to reach a fair settlement.
Representation: A lawyer should represent you in court if a settlement cannot be reached.
Legal advice: A lawyer should provide you with legal advice and guidance throughout the claims process.

7. Benefits of Hiring a Public Liability Lawyer

Hiring a public liability lawyer offers several benefits, including:

Expertise: Public liability lawyers have in-depth knowledge of the legal framework governing public liability cases and can provide you with expert legal advice and representation.
Higher compensation: Public liability lawyers can help you receive higher compensation for your losses than you would likely receive without legal representation.
Reduced stress: Public liability lawyers can handle the legal aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Faster resolution: Public liability lawyers can help you resolve your case more quickly than you would likely be able to do on your own.

8. Public Liability Lawyer Fees

Public liability lawyer fees vary depending on the complexity of your case and the lawyer’s experience. Most public liability lawyers work on a “no win, no fee” basis, which means that you won’t have to pay any legal fees unless your lawyer wins your case.

9. What is the best way to prepare for a consultation with a public liability lawyer?

To prepare for a consultation with a public liability lawyer, gather any relevant documents or evidence related to your case, such as medical records, witness statements, and photographs of the scene. Be prepared to discuss the details of the incident and any losses you have suffered as a result. Finally, be prepared to ask any questions you may have about the legal process and your potential compensation.

10. What should I look for when choosing a public liability lawyer?

When choosing a public liability lawyer, look for someone with experience in handling similar cases, a track record of success, and a commitment to providing personalized service. It’s also important to choose a lawyer who is transparent about their fees and who communicates clearly and regularly with you throughout the claims process. You should also only choose a lawyer who is a NSW accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law.

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