Public Liability
Lawyers
If you’re injured on someone else’s property because of unsafe conditions or poor maintenance, our experienced public liability lawyers can help you claim the compensation you deserve.
Accidents in public places, shopping centres, restaurants, rental homes, or private properties can have a big impact on your health, finances, and daily life. Our team specialises in holding property owners and businesses accountable when their negligence causes preventable injuries, working to secure outcomes that reflect the full effect of your harm and losses.
Recognised in Doyle’s Guide 2025 as a Recommended Firm for Public Liability Compensation
Am I eligible to make a public liability claim?
To make a public liability compensation claim, you must have been injured because of unsafe conditions on property owned or managed by someone else. This can happen on public or private property, and you may be entitled to compensation if your situation meets certain legal requirements.
Here are three key questions to help you determine whether you may qualify:
1. Did the property owner or occupier owe you a duty of care?
If you were lawfully on the property—as a visitor, customer, guest, tenant, or member of the public—the owner or occupier had a legal duty to keep the premises reasonably safe and warn you of any hazards.
2. Did they breach that duty of care?
The owner or occupier must have failed to take reasonable steps to maintain safety, fix known hazards, or warn you about risks that could have prevented your injury.
3. Did the breach cause your injury and losses?
You need to show that the unsafe conditions or the owner’s negligence directly led to your injury, medical expenses, lost income, pain, suffering, or other measurable harm.
Public liability claims:
Your rights, our fight
Public liability incidents can take many forms, from slips and falls to animal attacks or accidents in public spaces. Identifying the type of incident helps determine liability, the evidence needed, and the compensation you may be entitled to.
Slip and fall accidents
- Injuries from slipping on wet floors
- Tripping on uneven surfaces
- Falling due to poor lighting or hazards in walkways
Supermarket injuries
- Slips on spilled liquids
- Falling merchandise
- Shopping trolley incidents
- Inadequate maintenance
Aviation accidents
- Injuries at airports, on aircraft, or in aviation facilities
- Unsafe conditions or inadequate security
- Negligence by aviation operators or property managers
Cruise ship injury
- Slips and falls aboard cruise ship vessels or at terminals
- Injuries during shore excursions organised by cruise operators
- Inadequate safety measures
Food poisoning
- Illness from contaminated food at restaurants, events, or other premises
- Health issues caused by improperly stored, prepared, or served food
Dog bite injuries
- Attacks by dogs or other animals on private or public property
- Owners failing to restrain animals or warn visitors of potential danger
Hotel injuries
- Injuries that occur both domestically and overseas while on holiday
- Slips in bathrooms or wet decking
- Balcony falls
- Swimming pool accidents
- Inadequate security
- Maintenance failures
Rental property injuries
- Harm caused by landlord failure to maintain safe conditions
- Broken fixtures, structural issues, electrical problems
- Inadequate security
Inadequate security
- Injuries from criminal acts where poor security contributed
- Poorly lit car parks
- Lack of cameras or patrols
- Broken locks
- Failure to warn of risks
Council property and public spaces
- Injuries on council-managed footpaths, parks, playgrounds, or shared spaces due to unsafe conditions
- Uneven footpaths
- Poor lighting
- Falling branches
- Broken playground equipment
Speak with a public liability lawyer now.
Start with a free consultation and get your case reviewed within minutes.
Why Choose Gerard Malouf & Partners
What can you claim in public liability cases?
Public liability compensation aims to restore you financially and acknowledge the full impact of injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. Compensation covers both economic losses, like medical expenses and lost income, and non-economic losses, such as pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life. Our public liability claim lawyers ensure all aspects of your experience are properly valued and pursued.
Economic losses
- Medical and rehabilitation costs
- Emergency treatment and hospital bills
- Surgery and ongoing medical care
- Medications and future treatment needs
- Lost income during recovery
- Reduced working hours or inability to return to previous employment
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Domestic help and personal care services
- Home modifications and mobility aids.
Non-economic losses
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Emotional distress, anxiety, or trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life and hobbies
- Reduced participation in social or family activities
- Permanent disability or impairment
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of independence and quality of life.
Family member claims
When public liability incidents result in severe injury or death, family members may be entitled to pursue their own claims for loss of consortium, psychological trauma from witnessing injuries, and the burden of providing ongoing care.
Our Unique Fee Reduction Guarantee
Satisfaction first:
Fees second
If our service fails to meet the high standards we set, we’ll reduce our fees. We are the only Australian firm that backs our service with a written cost reduction promise, giving you total confidence in your claim.
The compensation claim process: Your journey with GMP Law
Initial consultation
Evidence gathering
Claim submission
Negotiation
We’ll advocate fiercely on your behalf, aiming for a fair settlement that truly reflects your needs.
Court representation
Ongoing support
Why choose our public liability lawyers?
Our No Win No Fee comepnsation lawyers specialise in handling some of the most complex and challenging cases. With deep expertise in personal injury and compensation law, we understand the unique difficulties these claims present and know how to navigate them effectively.
Key benefits include:
98% success rate
Australia-wide coverage.
Expert abuse lawyer support in every state
Free initial consultation
to assess your claim
Award-winning lawyers
Proudly recognised by Doyles Guide 2025 for excellence in personal injury legal services
No Win No Fee.
No Win No Fee
Fee transparency that you can trust
At GMP Law, we’re committed to ensuring you have nothing to lose with our No Win No Fee service.
How our No Win No Fee system works:
No upfront costs
Start your claim without any financial risk
No contingency fees.
We don’t take a percentage of your settlement
Fair hourly rates.
When you win, we charge transparent hourly rates
Careful case evaluation.
We only take cases we believe can succeed
Our commitment. If we don’t believe your case will result in compensation or if costs outweigh benefits, we won’t take it on. This dedication to our clients’ best interests sets our No Win No Fee public liability lawyers apart.
Proven results: Public liability case studies
At GMP Law, we have successfully represented clients from all walks of life, handling claims for injuries resulting from slips, falls, and other premises-related negligence.
Case 1: Restaurant slip and fall, Jennifer
Background
66-year-old Jennifer slipped on a landing outside a Penrith restaurant after a light rain shower, sustaining serious back injuries that aggravated pre-existing spinal conditions.
Negligence
There was a dispute over whether a wet floor sign was present. The restaurant claimed a warning existed; Jennifer and her husband maintained there were none. Her prior spinal surgeries added complexity.
GMP Law’s approach
We gathered expert medical evidence, documented unsafe conditions, and established causation despite pre-existing conditions.
Outcome
The case settled for $242,500, helping Jennifer with daily care needs and highlighting the importance of customer safety in wet conditions.
Case 2: Resort pool accident, Nick and Michelle
Background
Nick, 56, slipped on wet tiles at a Vanuatu resort, falling 2.5 metres onto his neck. He suffered catastrophic spinal injuries, while his wife, Michelle, experienced nervous shock and reduced earning capacity.
Negligence
The resort’s pool had unsafe decking, no safety barriers, and inadequate safety measures.
GMP Law’s approach
Our liability lawyers managed complex international liability issues, gathered expert evidence, and pursued claims for Nick’s medical costs, care, pain and suffering, as well as Michelle’s nervous shock.
Outcome
Nick received over $3 million; Michelle received $170,000. The settlement secured long-term financial support and ongoing care.
Case 3: Grocery store stairwell slip, Sydney client
Background
A 59-year-old woman slipped on water in a stairwell between a grocery store and car park, injuring her hip and lower back. Staff ignored her, and another customer had to call an ambulance.
Negligence
The store initially denied the incident, claiming the stairwell was not used by customers or that the client caused the spill.
GMP Law’s approach
Our team obtained ambulance records, witness statements, and conducted a site inspection to show that the stairwell was regularly used and the hazard was foreseeable.
Outcome
The claim was successfully resolved for $190,000, providing compensation for her injuries and mistreatment. ongoing care.
What our clients say:
These are genuine reviews from real clients on Google, sharing their experiences with our public liability lawyers.
Turning injuries into justice, transforming lives through compensation
At GMP Law, we’re not just fighting for compensation, we’re fighting for your right to recover, rebuild, and reclaim your life after an injury. Read our case studies:
Nick’s story: $3m+ public liability settlement after resort pool accident
Nick and Michelle’s journey In February 2020, what began as a romantic getaway to celebrate Michelle’s birthday and their first wedding
Maria’s story: $232,500 after a shopping centre trip and fall Maria’s story Maria, a jewellery sales consultant, experienced how quickly life
Jennifer’s journey: Achieving justice and $242,500 after a slip and fall injury
Jennifer’s Journey:Achieving Justice and $242,500 After a Slip and Fall Injury Jennifer’s story In October 2022, a routine lunch outing turned
Nick’s story: Securing a $250,000 public liability claim outside of the statute of limitations
Nick’s Journey:Securing a $250,000 public liability claim outside of the statute of limitations Jump to Result Nick’s story In February 2020,
$440k Settlement for Cleaner Bitten by a Dog
Case Overview At the time of her injury, our client was working as a cleaner at a private residence in Kurrajong.
Injured Plaintiff Gets $2,000,000 After Tripping and Falling on Driveway
Case Overview In June 2016, our client was walking over the vehicular crossing leading to his driveway when he tripped and
Meet our public liability claims lawyers
Meet our dedicated team of public liability lawyers, with offices across Australia. With a 98% success rate, we specialise in securing compensation for clients injured due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property.
Our experienced slip and fall lawyers and premises liability lawyers are here to hold property owners and businesses accountable and fight for the compensation and support you deserve.
Frequently asked questions about public liability claims
What is the difference between public liability and workers’ compensation?
If you are injured while working, your claim usually falls under workers’ compensation, which provides statutory benefits and follows specific processes. Public liability claims, on the other hand, apply when a customer, visitor, or contractor is injured on someone else’s property where they are not employed.
Our liability lawyers can help determine whether you have a premises liability claim.
Does public liability cover car accidents or do I need CTP?
Compulsory third-party (CTP) insurance generally covers motor vehicle accidents. Public liability usually applies when injuries occur on private property or in car parks due to hazards like poor lighting, unsafe surfaces, or inadequate maintenance.
Our public liability claims lawyers can assess whether your situation qualifies for a public liability claim.
Are product liability claims the same as public liability claims?
Not exactly. Product liability relates to defective or unsafe products, while public liability covers injuries on someone else’s property. In some cases, both can apply, such as being injured by a faulty product in a store. An experienced public liability solicitor can review all facts of your matter to pursue the maximum compensation available.
Do I need to prove the property owner intended to harm me?
No, you don’t need to prove intentional harm. Public liability claims are based on negligence: the property owner’s failure to maintain safe conditions or warn of hazards. To succeed, you must show that the owner owed you a duty of care, breached it, and caused your injury.
Can I make a claim against local councils for accidents on public property?
Yes, councils can be liable for injuries on footpaths, parks, roads, playgrounds, and other public spaces. They must inspect and maintain safe conditions and address known hazards.
Common claims include trips on uneven footpaths, falling tree branches, unsafe playground equipment, or poorly maintained facilities. Councils may have statutory defences such as resource and financial constraints, or claims that it was an “obvious risk”. Still, our public liability lawyers are experienced in pursuing claims against them.
What are common injuries from public liability claims?
Public liability incidents can result in a wide range of injuries. Common injuries include:
- Back and spinal injuries from slips, trips, or falls
- Head and brain injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Fractures and broken bones from falls or accidents
- Soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and muscle damage
- Psychological injuries like anxiety, depression, or trauma following an accident.
Our public liability lawyers assess the severity of injuries and their long-term impact to help clients pursue full compensation.
Learn more about public liability
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Talk to a public liability lawyer today
Start with a free consultation. Call 1800 004 878, or request a call back below.
