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Slip and fall accidents in public places are far too common. One moment you’re on a footpath or at the shops, the next you’re on the ground and in a great deal of pain. If you were seriously injured on another’s property through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to public liability slip and fall compensation.
Injuries from a slip and fall accident can be serious, requiring extensive medical attention and time off work. Sometimes, the injury may result in permanent disability. A slip and fall accident lawyer can help you pursue maximum compensation for your injuries.
Henry Carus + Associates have won numerous claims for clients injured in slips, trips, and falls. Call 03 9001 1318 today for a FREE, no-obligation consultation with our team. We pursue slip and fall compensation for clients in Melbourne and throughout Victoria.
What Is a Slip and Fall Accident?
A slip and fall accident occurs when someone is injured in a fall due to a slipping or tripping hazard on the premises. If the incident occurs due to the negligence of a property owner or occupier, this may be grounds for a public liability claim.
Common places where we see people injured in slip and fall accidents include:
- Supermarkets such as Aldi, Coles, IGA, Woolworths, etc.
- Restaurants and bars
- Shopping centres
- Apartments and rental properties
- Hotels, motels, and holiday parks
- Swimming pools
- Office buildings
- Play centres and playgrounds
- Hospitals and medical centres
- Nursing homes and retirement villages
- Government properties
- Airport terminals and airlines
Spilled liquids, items left in walkways, inadequate signage, and poor lighting are amongst the most common causes of slips and falls. Property owners and occupiers have a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent injury to people on the premises. If they fail in this duty and you are seriously injured, you may be entitled to compensation.
How Is Slip and Fall Compensation Calculated in Victoria?
There is no ‘average’ payout for a slip and fall accident. Experienced slip and fall lawyers account for multiple factors when calculating what your claim may be worth. These include:
- The severity of your injuries
- Any time you had to take off work
- Out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatment
- Medical care, rehabilitation, and support you will require in future
- Long-term or permanent effects on your ability to work
- Degree of physical pain
- Psychological trauma such as depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, etc.
- Issues of contributory negligence (see the Wrongs Act 1956 S. 26)
Ultimately, the amount of slip and fall compensation you are entitled to depends on the unique circumstances of your claim. Knowledgeable lawyers will assess all economic and non-economic damages you have sustained and strive to obtain the payout you deserve – one that compensates you for these losses.
Medical Expenses
You may be entitled to compensation for all past and future medical expenses from a slip and fall accident. This includes:
- Ambulance transport and emergency services
- Hospitalisation and surgery in a private hospital
- Public hospital care if you are a private patient
- Medications
- Rehabilitation and therapy services
- Medical equipment
- Domestic assistance and attendant care
- Travel for medical appointments
Henry Carus + Associates represented Dorothea when she slipped and fell at a shopping centre and the management refused to pay her medical expenses. We obtained a settlement that paid all of her medical bills, plus additional compensation. Read Dorothea’s Story.
Loss of Earnings
If your injuries from a slip and fall accident cause you to miss work, you can claim compensation for loss of earnings. You may also be entitled to diminished or lost earning capacity if you cannot return to work. Per the Wrongs Act S. 28F, the maximum amount for loss of earnings is three times the average weekly earnings of Victorian employees.
Arty, who was the primary income earner for her family, suffered a serious knee injury when she slipped and fell at a concert. Henry Carus + Associates brought claims against the property owner and concert organiser, ultimately obtaining compensation for Arty without having to go to court. Read Arty’s Story.
Household Services
Many people who suffer a personal injury don’t realise that they may be entitled to compensation for household assistance for tasks they cannot perform. This may include cleaning, home maintenance, yardwork, gardening, and more.
Our client, Wendy, just wanted money for her out-of-pocket medical expenses and cleaning services after she slipped while disembarking from a boat at a marina. The insurance company mounted a vigorous defence, but we were able to secure a settlement that compensated Wendy for her expenses and more. Read Wendy’s Story.
Non-Economic Loss
In addition to the economic damages discussed above, you may be entitled to recovery of non-economic damages for a slip and fall accident. Compensation for these losses is only available if you sustain a ‘significant injury’ as defined by the Wrongs Act S. 28LF.
Those who meet the significant injury threshold in Victoria may be entitled to the following non-economic damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of amenities
Damages for non-economic loss compensate you for the adverse effects of an injury on your quality of life, including physical pain, emotional distress, permanent disability, inability to take part in favourite activities, etc. As of 1 July 2025, the maximum compensation that may be awarded for non-economic loss under the Wrongs Act is $759,510.
Connie slipped on a piece of lettuce while shopping at her local supermarket. Despite suffering multiple injuries, the supermarket only offered Connie $500 towards her medical bills and pain and suffering. Connie retained Henry Carus + Associates, and we were able to negotiate a much higher settlement for her economic and non-economic losses. Read Connie’s Story.
How to Get the Most Money from a Slip and Fall
The steps you take after a slip and fall accident can make a major difference in the compensation you are able to obtain. Important tips for maximising slip and fall compensation include:
1. Get Medical Attention for Your Injuries
If you are seriously injured, call 000 and wait for help to arrive. Otherwise, you should go to the emergency room or see a doctor as soon as possible. Your first priority should be your well-being.
2. Document the Accident
Slip and fall hazards may be quickly removed or cleaned up, so immediate documentation of the scene is critical. Vital details include:
- Names and contact information for any witnesses
- Photos of the hazard, your injuries, etc.
- Caution signs in the vicinity, if any
- Location of video and surveillance cameras on the premises
- The name(s) of the manager and/or any employees you speak to after the accident
3. Report the Incident
Notify the owner or manager that you suffered injury on the premises. You may be asked to fill out a slip and fall accident report. Make sure your report is truthful, but don’t include unnecessary details that may suggest you were at fault.
4. Continue with Medical Treatment
Serious injuries may require ongoing care, physiotherapy, and more. You need to attend all appointments and follow the instructions of providers. Doing so may hasten your recovery, as well as ensure that your injuries are fully documented.
5. Keep Records and Stay Organised
Hang onto any medical records, communications with your employer, and receipts for out-of-pocket costs, as these help to document your damages. You should also keep a running list or journal of pain and other symptoms you experience, notes from doctor appointments, and other records.
6. Contact a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Whether you suspect the accident was caused by negligence on the property or the owner/manager/insurance company is refusing to compensate you fairly, you owe it to yourself to seek legal advice as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer can review your claim, determine the slip and fall compensation you may be due, and discuss the next steps.
Public liability matters are generally resolved through settlement negotiations or at mediation, but it is sometimes necessary to commence court proceedings. You have up to 3 years to lodge a claim. No matter what course your claim takes, the services of an expert slip and fall accident solicitor are indispensable.
Learn how Henry Carus + Associates can help. Contact us for FREE today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Maximum Compensation for Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accident claims are generally resolved within 6 months to 1 year. It could take longer if the insurance company is slow to respond or unwilling to negotiate, or if the matter has to go to court.
You may be tempted to accept an early settlement to bring the matter to a close, but we advise against this. Share any concerns you have with your lawyer so they can represent you in negotiations effectively.
Read More: How Do Public Liability Claims Work?
Few public places see more slip and fall accidents than supermarkets. These incidents are often caused by a failure to clean up spills, items and debris in walkways, and other negligence-related issues.
You may be entitled to substantial compensation for a slip and fall in a supermarket, but the owner and its insurer are sure to put up a fight. A skilled lawyer can fight to maximise compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
You aren’t legally required to have a slip and fall lawyer handle your claim, but there’s no question that getting legal representation is in your best interest. These claims can be complex, and having a qualified legal professional handling the challenges is the best way to obtain the full slip and fall accident compensation.
Get the Slip and Fall Compensation You Deserve
At Henry Carus + Associates, we have extensive experience representing the victims of slips, trips, and falls. We know how serious these incidents can be, as well as the lengths defendants and their insurers will go to avoid making a payout. Our lawyers have obtained compensation for numerous clients in public liability claims, exceeding their expectations and giving them peace of mind in the aftermath of serious injuries.
View Our Public Liability Success Stories
Where many firms are impersonal and overly corporate, we focus on providing personalised legal service and care. Each client is more than an injury or a name in a file; they are a unique individual who is in pain and unsure what the future holds. Our philosophy of You Deserve More guarantees hands-on attention and a commitment to maximising slip and fall compensation.
If you need assistance claiming slip and fall injury compensation in Melbourne or elsewhere in Victoria, call Henry Carus + Associates at 03 9001 1318 today. We offer a No Win – No Fee promise. That means your initial consultation is FREE, and you don’t pay any fees (not even disbursements) unless your claim is successful.
