Lodging your Claim

The first step to take after being injured in a ‘public liability’ claim (slip and fall, or defective product case etc) is to lodge a “Notice of Claim” on the person or persons at fault (called “the Respondent”). This must be done at the earlier of:

1. nine months from the date of the accident, or
2. within one month from consulting a lawyer about the possibility of making a claim.

The Respondent must reply and acknowledge that they are the proper party/respondent to your claim. This is not an admission that they have been negligent, but rather letting you know that they have been properly identified.

A further Notice of Claim (Part 2) must then be lodged on the Respondent within two months, containing some additional information about the incident and your injuries and medical treatment you have received.

Within six months of your first Notice of Claim being delivered to the Respondent, they must provide you with a written notice advising whether or not they admit fault for your injury, and what amount of compensation they are prepared to offer you.