I stepped on broken glass at the local pub about 8 months ago and I thought it was fine at the time but it wouldn't heal and after a month I had a terrible infection. I've lost part of the function in my foot. I want to make a claim but the pub has recently closed and I'm not sure how to find the owners. What can I do to get this information?
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Answer by Janelle Black, Brisbane 4000 QLD
- It can be difficult to identify the correct party to your claim if you do not have a lawyer as he or she will have access to resources that make this process easier.
- Any information that can identify the other party that was involved in the accident is a good starting point. For example if you had been at work it may be that another employee was at fault and therefore your employer will be held responsible for that person’s negligence because you were at work. If another car collided with you while driving then the other driver may be at fault for causing the accident. If you slipped and fell in a public place then the owner or occupier of the property where you fell may be responsible for you slipping and falling. With your situation at the pub the owner or occupier of the pub at the time is likely to be liable even if the glass was broken or dropped by a customer or an employee.
- Therefore you need to find the name and details of the old owners. If the pub had a name you can start by doing a search of the Australian Business Name (ABN) register online. If you are still uncertain about who the correct party is then you can conduct other searches on the internet simply using Google or through online search companies such as SAI Global.
- If you are still running into difficulties a lawyer can help you to make further investigations.