Yes. Shopping centre owners and occupiers have a legal duty to take reasonable care to keep their premises safe for visitors, and when they fall short of that duty, and someone is injured as a result, a public liability claim may be available.

Common causes of shopping centre accidents include wet or slippery floors, unattended spills, uneven surfaces, and inadequate cleaning or inspection systems. If your injury was caused by a hazard that the owner or occupier knew about, or should have known about, and failed to address, you may be entitled to compensation under ACT negligence laws.

If you are unsure whether your circumstances give rise to a claim, please contact us. These cases often turn on evidence that can disappear quickly, including CCTV footage and incident reports, so the sooner you seek advice, the better.

Responsibility depends on who owned or controlled the area where your accident occurred. Depending on the circumstances, this may be a property owner, a commercial tenant, an event organiser, a government body, or another occupier of the premises, and in some cases, more than one party may share responsibility.

Identifying the right party or parties to hold accountable is one of the most important early steps in a public liability claim, and it is something MEJ has significant experience in navigating.

Possibly. It is always worth seeking advice before assuming you have no claim.

If your fall was caused by a dangerous defect in a footpath, road or verge, the responsible authority may be liable. That said, claims involving public authorities can involve additional legal complexity, including statutory protections that apply in favour of those authorities and specific notice requirements that must be met.

Two things are particularly important in these cases: acting promptly, and preserving evidence. Defects can be repaired quickly, and witnesses’ memories fade. At MEJ, we will move quickly to protect your position and give you an honest assessment of your prospects.

The compensation available to you will depend on the nature and severity of your injuries and the impact they have had, and continue to have, on your life.

Public liability claims can cover a wide range of losses, including medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost income both past and future, the cost of care and assistance at home, and damages for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. In serious cases, where injuries have lasting consequences, claims can be substantial.
At MEJ, we take the time to build a thorough and evidence-based picture of every loss you have suffered, so that nothing is left on the table. Our goal is simple: to make sure you receive everything you are entitled to.