Dealing with Public Authorities – Fair Treatment & the Law

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August 16, 2018

You probably deal with them in one way or another on a daily basis. Whether you’re visiting a public hospital, live in public housing, or simply catch public transport to work, public authorities are there to help you. When you’re walking down a footpath that’s maintained by the council or driving on a road that was built by Road Authorities, you’re dealing with a public body in one way or another.

Unfortunately, we only tend to notice public authorities when something goes wrong. If you have been injured due to the negligence or actions of a public authority, information and clarity are crucial in making a claim. In this article, we’re going to give you some general advice for dealing with public authorities in your everyday life. We will also review some steps you might want to take if a public authority has caused you harm.

How to Deal with Public Authorities on a Daily Basis

Public authorities play a special and significant role in society. This is something that is recognised in legislation, as well as in general public opinion. When you’re dealing with a public official or a public body, it’s important to remember that they are there to help.

Whether they’re a Centrelink worker, a hospital employee or your local council representative, it’s essential to remember a few key facts:

Treat them with respect: Remember to always be respectful and civil towards public officials and authorities, just as you would towards anyone else.
Don’t target individuals: If you have been injured due to the actions of a public authority, it’s unlikely to be one person’s fault. For example, if you were injured while driving because of a poorly maintained road, the Road Authority may be negligent, but specific individuals are not. Remember this when you are talking to the staff or representatives of a public authority.
Talk to a lawyer to protect your rights: While public authorities should be treated with respect, it’s also important to stand up for your rights. If you believe the failure of a public authority has caused you harm, talk to a compensation lawyer. At Stacks Goudkamp, we have successfully bought claims against public authorities in the past, and we would be happy to advise you.

Bringing a Claim Against a Public Authority

Public authorities are often given greater protections under the law, but this doesn’t mean you can’t make a claim. In these cases, it is simply more important than ever to access and leverage all the important information relating to your claim.

For example, if you are injured while driving due to a poorly maintained road, the Road Authority will not automatically be held liable for failing to complete roadworks. Instead, it is important to establish that the Road Authority had knowledge of the road’s condition and the harm this could cause.

At Stacks Goudkamp, we utilise several tools and methods to gather information and determine the viability of your case. Learn more about public authorities claims here or talk to our lawyers for a free initial consultation.

Contact Our Experts Today

Stacks Goudkamp has offices in Sydney, Liverpool and Newcastle, where an experienced personal injury lawyers are ready to talk you through your claim. For more information, view our case studies on public authorities or contact us today. Call 1800 251 800 or make an online enquiry.

I could write a book as to how the last 4 years would have been different if not for Tom and his team.
The support, assistance, advice from the first conversation till even after the settlement was second to none from the team at Stacks Goudkamp.
Four years on and after many downs, my children and I have our lives back.
We are unable to THANK YOU enough, but know that you have changed our lives for the better in so many ways since the accident.

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