Personal Injury Compensation
Personal injury is defined as any physical or psychological
injury you sustain as a consequence of an accident. Most cases
of compensation award involve an instance of personal injury.
One
exception that does not fall under personal injury is an injury
sustained during a violent crime. There are specific laws that
cover criminal injury compensation.
Cases of Personal Injury:
> Indoor (walkways, hallways)
If you trip over something,
or slip on the ground, then end up injuring yourself, you may
be eligible for compensation.
This only applies for slips or trips
that occur as the direct result of someone’s negligence.
In other words, if the accident occurred on a walkway or floor
which was someone’s responsibility to
keep clear and safe for human traffic, then there is a possibility
you might be entitled to compensation.
> Outdoor (sidewalks, footpaths)
If you fall or trip while walking down the street,
you might be entitled to a compensation award from the local
council
that is
responsible
for ensuring the upkeep of the pavement.
This only applies
if the footpath where the accident occurred shows indications
of improper maintenance. You
may not
have a valid case
if the surface of the footpath only has minor defects
due to normal wear and tear.
> Commercial
Areas (shops)
Owners of shops are responsible for making
sure that the floors of their business premises are kept reasonably
dry
and safe
for human
traffic. Shopkeepers are expected to conduct regular
inspections to ensure that potentially unsafe spillages
are cleaned
up and obstructions are cleared.
Should you suffer
an injury from a slip, you might be entitled for compensation
if it can be proven
that the
shop could
have taken measures
to prevent your accident, provided also that
it wasn’t your
own fault.
> Other Places (office buildings,
farms, etc.)
Individuals and companies that
occupy land and structures such as office buildings and
farms
are responsible
for taking reasonable
care of their visitors. Any injury that wasn’t
your fault, that occurs due to an accident
that could have been avoided or anticipated
by the party responsible for the area, may
be eligible for compensation.
