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* (excluding motor vehicle accidents) 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.

*Initial consultation via telephone for Comcare claims.

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.

Meet your Personal Injury team

1 / 4

Richard, this is a formal thank-you for all the good work you have done on my claim over the past 2 plus years.

A number of people said that I should engage you and no-one else for this matter – good advice, it turns out.

I regard the outcome in all the circumstances as fair and reasonable.

Your experience and judgment were instrumental in achieving this, all with as little fuss as possible.

Gordon B (Personal Injury)

1 April 2018

Richard, I would like to say thank you for looking after my and our family cases. You have been amazing and you always had time to answer all out questions. Both of the accidents affected us a lot, especially that the girls were involved in them, but you have made the whole process so easy.

Thank you so much. I hope I won’t need to use you again (I’m sure you understand why) but if any of my friends need legal advice for accidents or workers compensation I will absolutely recommend you.

Once again we are very grateful for all your work over 3.5 years.

Zenka (Personal Injury)

3 September 2018

Thank you for everything you have done for my personal injury matter.

When I first spoke with you on the phone I had no idea that such support was available to me.

At every point, your assistance has lightened my load.

It’s been a pleasure to meet you and thank you so much for your compassionate, competent approach.

PG (Workplace Injury)

20 November 2017

The advice and reassurance I received from Charlene Barriga regarding my son’s personal injury case was exceptional.

Her professional, friendly and efficient service ensured a favourable outcome in a very reasonable period of time.

I will be recommending Charlene to friends and family as a trustworthy legal professional.

Pam (Child Personal Injury)

16 November 2017

I engaged your legal firm about 18 months ago to provide advice in relation to my claim for compensation arising from a fall I had in Fyshwick. I am writing to you to express my appreciation for the work that Suzanne Sharwood did in successfully resolving this issue.

I have found Suzanne to be highly competent in her knowledge of the compensation legalities and processes, and very sensitive to the stresses and frustrations that the processes entail. She was always completely across all aspects of my case and able to quickly respond to any queries I had and to allay my concerns, to the extent that it was practical to do so, when there was a very stressful (to me) complication in the process. Her confidence, particularly during that time, provided a great deal of comfort.

Given some of the horror stories about legal fees charged in actions of this nature, I was pleasantly surprised to have been given an extremely reasonable quote at the start of our interaction and to find that the quote was adhered to by your firm in the final disbursements, 18 months later.

You can be very proud to have an employee of this ability as part of your team. Accordingly, I would have no hesitation in recommending your firm to others.

Kim (Personal Injury)

30 June 2017

Richard, I am so grateful for all that you have done for me and my family.

You came highly recommended as a great personal injury lawyer and I would continue to recommend you in a heartbeat.

The settlement funds came through and I have paid off all outstanding accounts and that in itself is such a wonderful feeling.

I continue to make progress and have certainly come a long way. My current ‘feel good’ is pottering in my garden, I am working with succulents and find doing so incredibly relaxing.

Again thank you, you are a true gentleman.

Mel (Personal Injury)

22 June 2017

I would like to thank Richard Faulks and the team at Snedden Hall and Gallop for their assistance during my son’s case.

I was always kept informed throughout the process and was very impressed with the professionalism showed to the both of us and the final outcome.

SH (Personal Injury)

6 June 2017

I was in a motor vehicle crash in September 2014, where I sustained a serious injury. A family member recommended Snedden Hall and Gallop. From the very first appointment, my experience in dealing with SHG vastly exceeded my expectations.

My personal injury claim was a complex, two-year-long matter. At every stage, Richard Faulks and his team at SHG explained each matter and provided excellent advice with easy-to-understand language. Richard was very prompt and thorough in his communication, and was on time, organised and attentive at every meeting. Richard was highly adept at managing communications between the numerous insurance agencies and other interested parties, and always acted with the utmost integrity.

At the conclusion of my case, Richard Faulks negotiated a settlement which far outweighed any expected outcome I had imagined.

As someone who is familiar with the legal profession, I have no hesitation in saying that SHG Lawyers are outstanding in their field. Richard Faulks is a highly competent, professional, effective and personable lawyer who fought extremely hard for my success, and ought to be congratulated on his efforts and integrity. I would recommend SHG Lawyers to anyone who might need them.

Anon (Personal Injury 1)

19 January 2017

Thank you for your letter with confirmation of settlement which I have received today. I would like you to know that I am very happy with your work. You have always been very professional, prompt, knowledgeable and given me good advice. I will not hesitate to recommend you to friends and family should they need assistance in a legal matter.

Anon (Personal Injury 2)

16 January 2017

I have received all the settlement amounts and reimbursements now. I want to commend you, Tanya, for your efforts on my case. My special thanks to you and your team for the wonderful job you did on my case. I appreciate the time and efforts you put in with the attention to the detail which was certainly worthwhile. It was a smooth experience for me to have you my solicitor who looked after everything and worked so hard and with such a dedication. I am proud to have you as my solicitor and will definitely recommend to anyone needing advice on legal matters relevant to you.

Anon (Personal Injury 3)

11 January 2017

The team at SHG led by Richard Faulks ensured I received a fair outcome by listening to my issues, concerns and by providing realistic advice enabling me to give clear instructions.

Anon (Personal Injury 5)

21 April 2016

Richard, I would like to thank you once again for all your help and assistance since I the accident as well as achieving a good outcome. I will be recommending your services in the future.

Anon (Personal Injury 4)

1 June 2016

When my employer caused my psychological injury, and Comcare rejected my claims, it was Richard who took them to task before the AAT and won both cases.

Richard has a well-deserved reputation and level of credibility, that I’m sure helped give my case the proper consideration it deserved. Words will never be enough for what Richard and his team did for me, making a real difference to my life.

Glen S (Personal Injury)

25 April 2015

I’m very grateful for your support and advice through the course of the compensation matter dealing with my cycling injury. From our first meeting, I had full confidence in your professional approach and the subsequent smooth progress to a successful outcome, I was fully assured by your realistic and good-humoured guidance. Many thanks for all your help.

Anon (Personal Injury 6)

13 September 2015

But for your diligence and guidance through the settlement conference, this personal injury case may have ended differently. Most people don’t understand the impact such ‘trip and fall’ events have on all aspects of one’s life. I will certainly be recommending you as gold standard for legal compensation work.

Ms J at Sutton (Personal Injury)

13 July 2015

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