What is negligence?

What is negligence?

An extremely complex area of law, and one that we at Redlich's Work Injury Lawyers spend a lot of time examining, is the law of negligence. Negligence is the basis of a case when you seek compensation from someone. You cannot sue for compensation unless you can prove negligence. The easiest way of putting this is to say that you were injured because of someone else's fault. If it was not someone else's fault, or was simply an accident, you cannot sue for compensation. There are actually four elements to be established in a successful negligence case:

  1. that a duty of care was owed;
  2. that the defendant breached this duty by doing (or not doing) something;
  3. that you have suffered injury or financial loss (damage) which was reasonably foreseeable; and
  4. that the damage was caused by the breach of duty.

Each of these elements must be proven and each element will be examined in detail. Court decisions and legislation set the rules for determining what and who satisfies all of the above elements of negligence. These can be different depending on the circumstances of the case, so what may be negligent in a work situation may not be in a public place. If you or a family member have suffered an injury as a result of someone else's negligence, call Redlich's Work Injury Lawyers today on (03) 9321 9988.

No Win, No Fee. No Uplift Fee.

Our No Win, No Fee and No Uplift Fee arrangement means you will only pay legal fees if your claim is successful. *Conditions apply

Learn more

Call and speak to our legal team

At Redlich’s our legal team answer the phone so that you receive free legal advice straight away. No Win, No Fee. No Uplift Fee.

Redlich's Work Injury Lawyers

Redlich's Work Injury Lawyers is a division of Holding Redlich © 2024
Level 23, 500 Bourke Street, Melbourne, 3000

Read our privacy policy

Provide feedback

Redlich's Work Injury Lawyers respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we operate as the continuing custodians of this land. We recognise their continuing connection to Country, practices, knowledge systems and communities. We pay our respects to Elders, past and present.