Personal Injury
If you’ve been injured, we can assist you to receive the full compensation available. Each incident can be quite different and may entail varying degrees of pain, suffering and loss. That’s why we offer a free 30-minute claim assessment* that is obligation free. We will listen to you and review your specific circumstances and advise whether you have a potential claim.
Our lawyers are recognised as leaders in compensation claims in the ACT. We are committed to providing effective and compassionate legal representation and to answer all your questions regarding your claim.
Time is often a crucial factor in bringing a claim for compensation. We can advise you when you need to give notice of a claim and how to complete it. We’ll guide you about applicable time limits.
To read more about our personal injury work, you can read RiotAct’s recent article about Amber Wang‘s work in this area here.
*Initial consultation via telephone for workers compensation claims (including Comcare, ACT public sector claims managed by EML and military compensation) and motor vehicle accidents.
Workers compensation and workplace accidents
If you have suffered a physical or psychological injury in the ACT in the workplace, or while travelling to or from work, you may be entitled to claim workers compensation from your employer, and if you were injured because of the negligence of your employer, you may also be able to pursue a claim for common law damages. We can assist you regardless of whether you are employed by a private employer or by the government.
If you are employed privately, and in receipt of worker compensation, we can assist you in looking at options for seeking a lump sum instead of ongoing payments, if that suits your circumstances. We can also explain what extra compensation is available through a common law claim.
Comcare
Comcare is the scheme that provides workers compensation benefits to Australian Government employees, and to the employees of a limited number of other national businesses, such as Australia Post. Comcare provides similar compensation to that provided under the ACT Workers Compensation Act 1951. There are important differences between claims under Comcare and claims under the Workers’ Compensation Act 1951, which we will discuss with you.
Snedden Hall & Gallop was listed as a Recommended Work Injury Compensation Law Firm (Plaintiff) in the 2019 Doyles Guide for the ACT.
Motor vehicle accidents
If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident before 1 February 2020, and you were not at fault, you are likely to be entitled to compensation and we can help you with that. However, on 1 February 2020, the ACT Government changed the way people injured in motor vehicle accidents on ACT roads receive compensation for their injuries, and if you were injured after that date the new law applies.
In a recent article Amber Wang explained what this contentious law change might mean for you if you’re involved in an accident – you can read it here.
It should be noted, however, that the ACT Government has not yet released all of the necessary regulations or guidelines that underpin the new scheme.
Cycling accidents
Bike riders can be vulnerable to personal injury when things go wrong. Snedden Hall & Gallop has a close association with Pedal Power ACT and other sporting groups and understands the needs of cyclists when an injury occurs. We can provide you with advice about options for compensation if you are injured in a cycling accident.
Possible compensation
We understand that a cycling accident can not only lead to injury and damage to important property (like your bike), but can also cause significant disruption in your lifestyle and work. We have years of experience in assisting cyclists in claiming compensation for their pain and suffering and loss and can advise you about your entitlements under the previous CTP compensation scheme, the new motor accident scheme operating after 1 February 2020, workers compensation and other insurances such as those available through Pedal Power and other organisations.
Snedden Hall & Gallop can assist you with cycling accident information on a no-win, no-fee basis and can provide initial information obligation-free so that you will know immediately what to do and how to do it.
Public liability
In the ACT, if you suffer injury or loss as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation. The technical aspects of when liability may arise will vary according to the circumstances of the claim. For example, different rules apply when it’s alleged that a government or government agency is at fault, compared with the liability of a householder or an individual if they are at fault.
At Snedden Hall & Gallop, we have been successful in many public liability claims and sporting injuries claims, including those related to:
- slips and falls in public places
- injuries caused by impure foods or dangerous goods
- transport accidents, such as aircraft accidents
- unsafe and unpadded trampolines
- skiing accidents where obvious risks were not signposted
- go-carting incidents where there was evidence of a deliberate breach of the rules
- horseriding accidents where there was insufficient supervision for inexperienced riders.
Product liability
As consumers, we expect that the products we purchase for ourselves, our families and our homes will be safe to use. We also expect that manufacturers and suppliers will take adequate steps to ensure that the products they supply are free from any defects that could cause injury.
Product liability is a term that applies to claims for compensation for personal injury caused by unsafe products. We can assist you in accessing compensation for an injury or loss as a result of defective goods. For example, a faulty brake component in a motor vehicle, which causes a crash; food poisoning from foods purchased at a restaurant or takeaway store; or goods that were described incorrectly when advertised and that do not perform in the way the purchaser expected.
Medical and professional negligence
Medical negligence claims are those that involve compensation when you have suffered injuries that have been caused as a result of inadequate skill or care by your healthcare provider. We can guide you through an investigation of the circumstances and help you to choose the most appropriate actions.
Professionals owe their clients a duty to act with reasonable care and skill. If a professional fails to act with due care and skill, you may have the right to claim compensation for financial loss. Professional negligence claims can be brought against those in the financial sector, such as accountants, bankers and financial advisors; the building sector, such as builders, architects and engineers; the property sector, such as real estate agents, valuers and surveyors; and other professionals, such as lawyers, doctors and consultant.
Asbestos exposure claims
If you have been exposed to asbestos at any time in your life and are suffering from asbestosis, mesothelioma or any asbestos-related illnesses you may be entitled to claim compensation.
In compliance with the Work Safety Act 2008, Work Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2009 and the Dangerous Substances (General) Regulation 2004 the controller of a non-residential property or employer must ensure that all practical steps are taken to protect the welfare, health and safety of all employees and people on the premises.
Legal fees
We offer fully transparent no-win, no-fee arrangements.** Our fees are based on the work we do, not a percentage of your compensation sum. Generally, we recover most if not all of our fees from the liable insurer when your matter is resolved. Our fees are very competitive with other legal firms providing advice in this area. That can mean you will end up with more in your pocket at the successful conclusion of your claim.
**Excludes Comcare claims.
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