How compensation works in Queensland
Every state runs its own schemes, and Queensland is no exception. Which one applies depends on where you were hurt, not how badly: a crash goes through Queensland CTP under the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994, regulated by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC), a work injury through WorkCover Queensland under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003, and an injury on someone else’s property or in a public place is a negligence claim under the Personal Injuries Proceedings Act 2002 (PIPA) and the Civil Liability Act 2003. Our panel lawyers in Brisbane work across all of them.
Road accidents
Queensland runs fault-based: you claim against the at-fault vehicle’s CTP insurer, or the Nominal Defendant for unidentified or uninsured vehicles. Obtain a police report, then serve a Notice of Accident Claim on the CTP insurer within 9 months of the crash or 1 month after first seeing a lawyer, whichever is earlier (3 months for a Nominal Defendant claim). The thresholds, caps and the no-fault cover for catastrophic injuries are set out on the Queensland road accident page.
Injuries at work
Workers in Queensland are covered by WorkCover Queensland under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003, which pays income support, treatment and a permanent impairment lump sum without proof of fault. Where the employer was negligent, a common law damages claim may also be open; the impairment thresholds and lodgement steps are on the Queensland work injury page.
Public liability
Injuries in shops, rental properties, parks and public places are negligence claims under the Personal Injuries Proceedings Act 2002 (PIPA) and the Civil Liability Act 2003. Proof, thresholds and the evidence that decides these cases are covered on the Queensland public liability page.
Medical negligence
Claims against doctors and hospitals need expert evidence that care fell below a reasonable standard and caused harm; how that works in Queensland, including time limits, is on the Queensland medical negligence page.
Time limits in Queensland
The court deadline for most personal injury claims is three years, but the dates that actually decide claims are the earlier notice and lodgement steps set out above. Missing one does not always end a claim, but it hands the insurer an argument and makes everything harder. If you are unsure where you stand, the free check above takes two minutes.
What you can claim
- General damages for pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life, where the state threshold is met
- Economic loss: income already lost and future loss of earning capacity, including superannuation
- Treatment and care: medical, rehabilitation, equipment, home modifications, and care provided by family
- Dependency claims for families where an accident was fatal