{"id":185269,"date":"2026-04-24T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/?p=185269"},"modified":"2026-04-22T15:51:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T05:51:36","slug":"that-fall-at-the-footy-it-could-be-a-claim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/celebrating-seniors\/that-fall-at-the-footy-it-could-be-a-claim\/","title":{"rendered":"That fall at the footy? It could be a claim"},"content":{"rendered":"

IT doesn’t take much. A slick patch at a shopping centre, an uneven step at a local footy ground, or a loose cable at a community event \u2013 and suddenly you’re on the ground, wondering what just happened.<\/p>\n

Across Melbourne, these incidents happen more often than you would think. Whether it’s navigating a crowded concourse at an AFL game, walking through a busy shopping centre, or enjoying a weekend market or festival, public spaces carry a responsibility to keep people safe.<\/p>\n

When that responsibility is overlooked, the consequences can be serious.<\/p>\n

Who’s responsible for keeping you safe?<\/p>\n

Owners and operators of public spaces \u2013 think stadiums, shopping centres, councils and event organisers \u2013 have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent harm. That means maintaining safe walkways, promptly addressing hazards and warning visitors of any risks that can’t be immediately fixed.<\/p>\n

A spill left unattended. Poor lighting on a staircase. Damaged flooring that’s been ignored. These aren’t just minor oversights \u2013 they can form the basis of a public liability claim if someone is injured as a result.<\/p>\n

And here’s the part many people don’t realise: even if you think you might have contributed to the fall, you could still be entitled to compensation.<\/p>\n

Common slip, trip and fall scenarios<\/p>\n

We regularly see injuries occur in places people trust to be safe:<\/p>\n

Wet or recently cleaned floors in shopping centres<\/p>\n

Uneven surfaces or potholes at sporting venues<\/p>\n

Dim or lack of lighting in theatres and restaurants<\/p>\n

Poor crowd control or trip hazards at festivals and fairs<\/p>\n

Footpath damage, defects and elevations<\/p>\n

Inadequate signage warning of temporary dangers<\/p>\n

Injuries can range from sprains and fractures to more serious, life-altering conditions, particularly for older Australians.<\/p>\n

\"\"
From slippery shop floors to uneven bricks underfoot, everyday hazards in public spaces can have real consequences when safety is overlooked.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

What should you do after a fall?<\/p>\n

In the moment, your focus should be on your wellbeing. But if you’re able, a few simple steps can make a big difference later:<\/p>\n

Take photos of the hazard, the surrounding area and your injuries<\/p>\n

Get contact details for any witnesses<\/p>\n

Report the incident to staff or organisers and ensure it’s recorded<\/p>\n

Do not sign any document including a ‘release’<\/p>\n

Seek medical attention and keep all documentation<\/p>\n

Get legal advice as soon as possible<\/p>\n

You can download a free guide at hcalawyers.com.au\/seniorguide<\/a><\/p>\n

Don’t navigate this alone<\/p>\n

Public liability claims can feel daunting, especially when you’re dealing with injury, recovery and financial pressure. But the law is there for a reason \u2013 to protect people when reasonable care hasn’t been taken.<\/p>\n

Henry Carus + Associates takes the time to understand what you’ve been through and guide you every step of the way.<\/p>\n

The firm offers free consultations and No Win \u2013 No Fee arrangements, so there’s nothing to pay until the team is successful for you.<\/p>\n

Because at the end of the day, if someone else’s oversight caused your injury \u2013 you deserve more.Call today on 03 9001 1318.<\/p>\n

\/\/SPONSORED CONTENT <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

IT doesn’t take much. A slick patch at a shopping centre, an uneven step at a local footy ground, or a loose cable at a community event \u2013 and suddenly you’re on the ground, wondering what just happened. Across Melbourne, these incidents happen more often than you would think. Whether it’s navigating a crowded concourse […]<\/p>\n

Read More…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":156,"featured_media":185273,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-185269","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrating-seniors"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThat fall at the footy? 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