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Boat Injury
Claim Lawyers

We help you through the Public Liability claims process, helping you get the compensation you deserve.

Boat Injury Claim Lawyers

If you have been hurt in a boating accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation through a Public Liability claim.

A day out on the water is a favourite pastime for many Australians. Activities such as jet-skiing, waterskiing, kayaking, and canoeing are extremely popular, especially during the warmer months.

While these activities can bring great enjoyment, they also can present significant risk.

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Common Boat Injury Claim Examples

Negligence related to maritime law and boat incidents can occur from several common causes, some of which include:

  • Collisions with other boats
  • Drowning
  • Skiing Accidents
  • Collisions with Piers, Bridges or Pilings
  • Flooding of a vessel
  • Groundings
  • Water sport injuries due to improper care or equipment
  • Dangerous driving
  • Operating a boat under the influence
  • Carbon Monoxide poisoning from poor ventilation.

If you have been hurt in Victoria as a result of a boating accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation through a public liability claim.


To be successful for a claim of this nature, it must be proven that there has been a breach of a duty of care that is owed to you. This can arise from behaviour that is considered to be unreasonable, lacking regard for safety precautions by driving in a reckless, dangerous manner. More information on duty of care, and the requirements needed to be made can be found here.

You may have done your best to ensure your own safe environment, however, if the accident is caused by the actions of someone else, it can take you by surprise.

To help make a potential claim successful, it is imperative that you:

  • Obtain, and record the contact details of any witnesses.
  • Keep all medical records of injuries sustained.
  • Take photographs of the incident, including the injury and the location where the accident occurred.
  • Document the accident, including details of how it occurred.
  • If your injuries persist, ensure you go to your GP for further assistance.

If you earn a living working on the water or operating a boat in Victoria, you may be entitled to recover compensation if you are injured in a work-related boating accident.  You can find more information about WorkCover claims here.

Zaparas Lawyers understands that making a Public Liability or WorkCover claim can be a daunting process, our dedicated team of lawyers are happy to assist you in not only reporting the accident but also helping you with your claim.


Free, no-obligation initial appointments

We get to know your story and understand your circumstances.

Home or hospital
appointments

If you can’t come to us, we can come to you.

Case
management

We advocate for your rights and manage discussions with the insurance companies.

Keep you
updated

Our team will regularly update you about the progress of your claim.

No Win,
No Fee

In the unlikely event that we don’t secure compensation for you, we will not charge you for any of our professional fees.

Why choose Zaparas Lawyers for Public Liability Claims?

Zaparas Lawyers understands that this can be quite a daunting process, we are happy to assist you in reporting the accident and are here every step of the way.

Our dedicated Public Liability lawyers can guide you through the process and help make a claim for a benefit at a time you need it most. We have offices all over Melbourne with a dedicated team stationed at each location. You can find us in



Every claim is important to us. Our dedicated team of Public Liability specialists will approach your claim with skill, knowledge, and care. Your file will be conducted by a lawyer who specialises and has experience in the area of public liability claims. We will be able to maximise the benefits you receive, giving you and your family peace of mind.

Still unsure whether your situation requires a lawyer? We’ve created an article detailing the primary 3 reasons what a lawyer can help you with, with case studies to help you decide if this is right for you here.

Our unique combination of compassion and legal excellence has led to an extremely high success rate for our clients.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation initial appointment.


Award-winning law firm multiple years in a row.

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What are some examples of public liability claims?

Examples of successful public liability claims won by Zaparas Lawyers include slips and trips in supermarkets, shopping centres, private businesses, aquatic centres and sporting arenas. Even injuries at private residences, public places, school yards and parks could result in a successful claim.

What do I need to do to make a claim? I’ve slipped/tripped/fell and now I’m injured. What can I do?

To support your claim and strengthen your chances of success:

• Report the incident immediately as it happens to either the owner or the staff member present
• Make sure your incident is recorded within an on-site incident report
• Request for the contact details of any witnesses to the incident
• Photograph the area where the incident occurred
Your dedicated Zaparas public liability lawyer will need to clearly prove that the injury was not your fault in order to submit a successful claim for public liability compensation.

Zaparas Lawyers can assist you in gathering the required evidence to make your claim stronger. Call us today on 1800 927 272 for a personal consultation with a public liability solicitor to find out if you are eligible for a public liability claim.

What will I be entitled to? What can I claim compensation for?

Your entitlement to compensation depends on the severity of your injury, and whether it occurred as a result of the fault of another person or entity in a publicly accessible place.

You may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering depending on the injuries you have sustained. The amount of compensation you are entitled to receive for your financial losses is intended to restore you to the financial position you would be in if the accident did not occur.

You may be entitled to claim:

General Damages / Non-Economic Loss – pain, suffering and loss of amenity

The nature of the injury, the estimated recovery period and the rehabilitation required – and whether a further medical treatment or even lifelong care is needed – will be assessed accordingly.

Special Damages/Financial losses resulting from the accident – to cover medical fees, loss of salary, and out-of-pocket expenses

Costs for medical care (such as Physiotherapy), loss of income, and hospital travel costs may be claimed as part of your expenses. Expenses for ongoing care, loss of future income, or home adaptations required as a result of the injury are additional expenses a person may claim.

How long does the claim process take?

You will only be compensated once your injury is considered permanent and stable, which is generally one year from when the injury occurred. After approximately one year from the date of your injury we will pay for you to be assessed by doctors who will make an assessment as to the permanency and stability of your injury.

Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may also be able to make a claim for a lump sum payment for pain and suffering. You will also have to establish that your injury occurred due to the negligence of another entity. We will advise you as to whether or not negligence can be established in your case.

I’m not sure if I want to pursue a claim. Are there any limitations of time?

You have three (3) years from the date of injury to commence a proceeding in public liability. If you are not sure if you would like to pursue a claim, continue to attend your doctor and hospital appointments and re-evaluate your decision once you have received some treatment and have a better idea of your prognosis.

What is the cost of the first consultation? What are the legal fees?

Zaparas Lawyers operates on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis. This means that in the unlikely event that we don’t succeed in securing compensation for you, we will not change you for any of our professional fees.

What should I bring to my appointment?

You should bring all relevant documentation you have such as medical reports, radiological investigations and any other documents that may be relevant. If you have photographs of the place where you were injured these are also beneficial. If possible, these photographs should be taken close to your date of injury, especially when an accident has occurred on a footpath or other public area as the area may be repaired by the time you attend our office for an appointment.

English is my second language. Can you still help me?

Our firm has a diverse and multicultural team comprising lawyers and law clerks who speak different languages including Greek, Cantonese, Mandarin, Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, Macedonian, Turkish and Singhalese. We also have a network of the very best interpreters who can attend interviews and appointments.

Will I have to go to court to claim compensation?

We will keep you fully informed at every stage of the case. Many public liability compensation matters are settled out-of-court – Zaparas Lawyers personal injury lawyers negotiate hard to get the best settlement for you.

But if a court hearing is necessary, we instruct experienced barristers who specialise in personal injury cases, to make sure you have the best legal representation possible.

Public Liability Solicitors Melbourne

The Zaparas Lawyers team has handled a vast array of public liability claims, motor vehicle accident claims and workplace accident claims. Our team has the skills and experience you need to succeed in your case and ensure get the full compensation you deserve.

Our experienced public liability lawyers have handled all kinds of injuries that have been sustained in a wide range of different accidents circumstances. Don’t delay, contact us today and we’ll connect you with a friendly and knowledgeable legal professional with extensive experience in cases just like yours.

If we don’t have a lawyer who can speak your language, we also have access to a wide network of professional interpreters, meaning we’re here to help you every step of the way in a language that you understand.

I sustained an injury whilst volunteering, am I entitled to WorkCover?

WorkCover statutory benefits compensation is generally only available to workers. This means volunteers are not entitled to WorkCover compensation unless they are deemed a worker under an Act of Parliament.

If you are a volunteer or someone who assists a government agency in accordance with one of the below Acts of Parliament and are injured whilst carrying out relevant duties then you will be entitled to statutory WorkCover compensation:

  • Country Fire Authority Act 1958 (casual fire fighters, including volunteer officers and members and volunteer auxiliary workers)
  • Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (volunteer school workers or volunteer student workers)
  • Emergency Management Act 1986 (volunteer emergency workers)
  • Juries Act 2000 (jurors)
  • Police Assistance Compensation Act 1968 (PAC Act) ( volunteers assisting police officers)
  • Victoria State Emergency Services Act 2005 (voluntary registered and probationary members of the Victoria SES)

Volunteers in prisons and offenders working or participating in a program under a Correctional Order are deemed workers employed by the Crown and thereby entitled to statutory WorkCover compensation.

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