You're never ready when you are disabled by an accident. It can be a devastating blow that changes your life forever. Financial compensation won't fix the debilitating injury, but it can help you get your life back on track. That's why it's important to get good legal advice from experienced specialists in compensation law.
Compensation cases can get very complicated when legal arguments get bogged down over who was responsible for an accident. Take for example this recent case: A man was working on a shed at a rural property he was renting with his partner. They wanted to use the shed as a stable and needed water. The agent told them it was their responsibility as tenants to clear the shed gutters to connect tank water. The inspection report by the agent said the shed roof was in good condition. The man climbed on the roof to clear the gutters but suddenly the roof collapsed. He was severely injured in the fall, losing the use of his legs.
The man sought expert legal help. It was a difficult case. The property owner said the agent was responsible. The agent blamed the owner for not informing him of the condition of the roof. Under NSW law the owner isn't obliged to provide an inspection report done by a building expert and doesn't have to provide a property completely free of defects. The injured man was also likely to be held to be partly responsible as it was his decision to climb on the roof that was old and weathered. In mediation the man's legal team was able to win him a substantial settlement to support him in his disability.
In another case a teenager was left badly disabled when the fork holding the front wheel of his $1200 mountain bike collapsed. Even though he was wearing a helmet he was left brain injured. Scientific tests found casting defects in the metal compound of the fork.
What followed was an international conga line of blame. The boy's lawyers sued the importer of the faulty bike. The importer sued the German manufacturer. The German sued the Taiwan subcontractor that made the part. They sued another Taiwan firm that fitted the part to the bike. After a huge effort the boy's lawyers finally got the companies to court. Finally, on the fourth day of the trial, the firms settled for an eight figure sum.
Most compensation lawyers work on a no win-no fee basis, so they are highly motivated to get a good result for their clients.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
