Sam was a working father in sound health prior to undergoing surgery. Improper treatment by hospital staff left him unable to speak, walk or swallow. He requires...
Read moreA head injury is any blow or trauma to the skull or brain, often from accidents, repetitive impact, or even medical treatments. These injuries range widely, from mild bumps to severe Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) that can disrupt daily life and work. While they may seem rare, roughly 200,000 Australians are diagnosed with one every year — and many more go undiagnosed.
Over the years, we’ve successfully resolved hundreds of head injury claims and are ready to do the same for you. Here are the most common types of claims we’ve worked on:
This is not a complete list — just a few of the cases we’ve handled over the years.
Head and brain injuries can affect your life in many ways: physically, mentally, and financially. To make sure your compensation reflects all of these impacts, it’s important to explore all your legal options before starting a claim. That’s why we offer free consultations for all injured Australians.
Our experienced lawyers will listen to your story and identify every potential claim, including those that other firms might miss, like Total and Permanent Disability. This ensures you get the absolute maximum compensation for your injury. To find out how much you could receive, simply reach out today.
Find out if you’re eligible for a head or brain injury claim today.
Any head or brain injury caused by a road accident, workplace incident, or someone else’s negligence could qualify you for a claim. This also includes cases where an old injury gets worse because of the incident.
Some of the most common head and brain injuries you can claim for include:
Don’t see your injury listed here? Simply get in touch. Our lawyers can let you know whether your situation qualifies for compensation, completely free of charge.
Head and brain injuries can result from various accidents or activities, but some of the most common causes are:
The amount of compensation you receive for a head or brain injury depends on several factors, such as:
If your injuries are less severe, you may get weekly payments for lost wages and medical expenses. But if your injuries are more serious and long-term, you could qualify for a lump sum payment.
Read on to learn how much compensation you can expect for the most common claims.
If your head or brain injury occurred at work, you may be entitled to three main types of compensation:
If you’ve suffered a head or brain injury at work, a workers compensation claim usually offers these basic entitlements:
If your head or brain injury is permanent, you may be eligible for an additional lump sum payment.
In most states, this involves getting your level of Whole Person Impairment (WPI) assessed. WPI is the total level of impairment you’ve suffered because of the head or brain injury. Depending on your state, you may need to meet a minimum WPI threshold before you can claim a lump sum.
For more details on how lump sum payments work, check out our guide to workers compensation claims for permanent impairment.
If your head or brain injury is caused by your employer’s negligence, you may be eligible for a common law damages claim. Unlike weekly workers compensation payments, a common law damages claim can result in a significant lump sum payout — worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. If your condition is severe, you could receive millions.
Beyond basic workers compensation entitlements, your compensation may include:
The compensation you receive depends on how serious your injury is and how it affects your life. Depending on your situation, you could be eligible for:
For more details on how much you could receive, check out our full guide on public liability compensation.
The amount of compensation you receive for a motor accident claim depends on many factors, including your state, how severely you’re injured, and whether you caused the accident.
Depending on your situation, you could receive compensation for:
For more details, check out our complete guide to motor accident claims.
Compensation for medical negligence claims varies widely depending on how severely you’re injured. While some claims settle for between $100,000 – $200,000, others reach well over $10 million.
You may receive compensation for:
To learn more, check out our full guide to medical negligence claims.
When Robert was hit by a car while cycling to work, he suffered a serious head injury along with damage to his pelvis, hips, and legs. The head trauma left him unable to work and needing ongoing care. With his compensation for lost income capped by law, we knew we had to make a strong case to get Robert the maximum compensation possible.
Things got trickier when Robert was injured in another accident during the claim process, and the insurer tried to blame his financial losses on that. We pushed back by showing how the initial head injury had already changed his life and future prospects. In the end, we secured Robert a $1.72 million payout through out-of-court negotiations. This is not only the highest amount allowed by law but also spared Robert the stress and cost of going to court.
If you’ve developed a head or brain injury, follow these steps to secure the medical and financial support you need:
If you think you’ve suffered a head or brain injury, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. They can properly diagnose you and refer you to a specialist if needed. Plus, your GP can provide a medical certificate that will be key evidence for your claim. Don’t wait too long to get checked out, as some injuries might not show symptoms right away but can cause serious long-term effects.
It’s a good idea to keep track of how your symptoms affect your daily life. Make a note of anything that might be relevant, like how your injury impacts your work, relationships, or hobbies. This detailed record will help back up your claim and show just how much the injury is affecting you.
If you’re dealing with a head or brain injury, it’s important to contact a lawyer who specialises in these types of claims. We’ll clarify your legal rights, guide you through the claims process, and give you an estimate of your potential compensation. Your lawyer will also help gather medical evidence, talk to witnesses, and handle negotiations with insurers, ensuring you get the compensation you deserve.
Our team use their extensive experience to increase your chances of success. We’ve won many awards for our work, including ‘Compensation Law Firm of the Year 2020 GBM Global Awards.’
The cost of your claim depends on a few factors, including the type of claim you’re making and how complex it is.
If you’re making a workers compensation claim, your case is fully funded by the Independent Review Office (IRO). This means that we can assist with your claim for free.
For all other states and types of claims, you’re still protected by our No Win No Fee guarantee. That means:
Yes, Strict time limits apply to all head and brain injury claims, with the exact deadline depending on the type of claim you’re making and which state you’re in.
If you’ve missed the filing deadline, don’t worry — we can help. Our lawyers have a detailed understanding of the time-limit exceptions in each state and can apply on your behalf. Over the years, we’ve successfully assisted many clients with delayed claims. Reach out to discuss your options and how we can help you move forward with your claim.
You must report your head or brain injury to your employer right away. Depending on your state, you typically have 6 to 12 months to file your workers compensation claim.
For common law damages claims, the time limits also vary by state. You’ll usually have either three years from the injury date or from when you discovered it was caused by your employer’s negligence.
In some states, you must start court proceedings within three years of your head or brain injury. In other states, the limit starts from the date you discover your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence.
To find out the specific time limits for your state, refer to a guide on public liability time limits.
In most states, you need to notify your state insurer as soon as possible after an accident. You then have between 13 weeks and three years to file court proceedings, depending on the laws in your state.
For the precise time limits in your state, check out our complete guide to motor accident time limits.
In some states, you must start court proceedings within three years of developing your head or brain injury, while in others, the three-year limit begins from when you discover that medical negligence caused your injury.
For detailed information on the specific time limits that apply to your situation, check out our comprehensive guide to medical negligence time limits.
Yes, you may be eligible for compensation if your head or brain injury causes you to develop a psychiatric condition like depression or anxiety. These conditions are usually the result of the pain or limitations from the injury and can significantly affect your recovery and work capacity.
To ensure your claim covers both the physical and mental impacts of your injury, make sure to inform your doctor and psychiatrist about any mental health symptoms you’re experiencing.
If you had a pre-existing condition before the injury, you can still file a claim for your head or brain injury. It doesn’t matter if the injury is unrelated or if your condition worsened because of the incident. Thanks to the ‘egg-shell skull rule’, the person or party responsible is still fully responsible for your injury, even if it’s more severe because of your existing condition.
If you suffered a head or brain injury during an organised sport or recreational activity (like jet-skiing or skiing), you may have a head or brain injury claim.
However, because these activities are considered high-risk, you’ll need to show that appropriate safeguards weren’t in place to prevent your injury. For sports, that might mean poorly maintained equipment or another player’s recklessness; for recreational activities, it could be defective gear or reckless actions from an instructor or driver.
Yes, you could be eligible for multiple claims related to the same head or brain injury, depending on factors like your state, the injury’s severity, and your ability to return to work.
When we assess your case, we make sure to identify all potential claims so you get the maximum compensation possible. In our experience, many of our clients with head and brain injuries end up having more than one claim, increasing the value of their total compensation.
If your head or brain injury has temporarily stopped you from working, you may qualify for income protection, which typically offers:
This provides financial support while you’re unable to work, helping ease the burden during your recovery.
If your head or brain injury permanently prevents you from working, you may be eligible for a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claim. Unlike income protection, TPD provides a large lump sum designed to support you for life. Many superannuation policies include this coverage, so you could already have it without realising it.
When you walk through our doors, our top priority is to help you as much as we can. This commitment is shown in over 200 5-star reviews.
For over 25 years, we’ve helped people with head and brain injuries get the compensation they deserve. As part of our complete service, we’ll always:
We offer a free consultation to assess your case, explain your options, and answer your questions. It's fast, confidential, and obligation-free.