If you were injured at a public event like a concert, market, or community festival, and the organiser, vendor, or local authority failed to meet their safety obligations, you may be entitled to public liability compensation. Many injuries in public spaces are preventable and sometimes caused by negligence, such as unsafe walkways, crowd mismanagement, or poor infrastructure. If this reflects your experience, you should seek legal advice to understand your rights.
Carbone Lawyers have supported many injured Victorians understand their rights and seek fair outcomes. With our No Win, No Fee policy, you won’t pay legal fees unless we win your case.
Your Right to Safety at Public Events in Victoria
Every public event carries legal responsibilities, from food festivals and community fairs to concerts and markets. Under the Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic), the parties involved in running such events have a duty of care to ensure your safety as an attendee. That duty applies to:
- Event organisers
- Local councils that approve or manage the site
- Stallholders and food vendors
- Private security firms and contractors
If someone fails to manage a known risk, whether it’s a slippery surface, a lack of crowd control, or faulty structures, and you’re injured as a result, you may have a public liability claim. Most events are covered by public liability insurance, which exists specifically to cover these claims. Learn more about Public Liability
How Injuries Happen at Festivals and Outdoor Events
Not every hazard is visible, and not every injury is the patron’s fault. Common causes of event-related injuries include:
- Slips on wet grass, gravel or drinks spilled on walkways
- Poor lighting, leading to trips on uneven surfaces
- Collapsing staging, tents or signage
- Failure to erect barricades around potential dangers or hazards such as large drains adjacent to walkways
- Crowd surges without adequate control or fencing
- Assaults or accidents involving intoxicated patrons
- Illness from contaminated or improperly handled food
These incidents often come from poor planning, lack of maintenance, or failures in crowd and risk management. Injuries may be physical, fractures, cuts, head injuries, or psychological, such as trauma after a chaotic crowd incident. If any of these examples sound familiar, you might have a right to seek compensation.
Steps to Take After an Injury at a Public Event
Your safety is the priority. But preserving your rights is also important. Here’s what to do after being injured:
- Seek medical attention immediately and keep all documentation
- Photograph the hazard, your injury, and the surrounding area
- Report the incident to event staff, organisers or the council, and ask for a copy of any report, but do not sign a statement. Speak to a lawyer first.
- Collect witness details, including names and contact numbers
- Keep receipts for medical expenses, transport or lost income
- Avoid speaking to insurers or accepting early offers without legal advice
Even if you’re unsure who’s responsible, speaking with a lawyer early helps protect your options.
Who Can Be Held Responsible
Many people hesitate to make a claim because they don’t want to “sue” a local vendor or community group. But most claims are covered by public liability insurance, not individuals.
Liable parties may include:
- Local councils (unsafe infrastructure or permit failures)
- Event organisers (inadequate safety planning or response)
- Stallholders or vendors (unsafe setups or poor food handling)
- Contractors or security firms (failure to manage foreseeable risks)
Carbone Lawyers can investigate who is legally responsible and issue the claim against the appropriate defendant/s, so you’re not left guessing or chasing people down.
What Compensation May Cover
You might assume compensation only applies to serious injuries or ongoing disabilities. But the law recognises a wide range of losses that can arise from negligence.
Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to claim for:
- Hospital and medical expenses
- Physiotherapy and ongoing care
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of income and superannuation
- Support provided by family or carers
- Home or vehicle modifications
Common Questions and Concerns
“What if I was partly to blame?” You may still have a case, and could receive partial compensation. This is called contributory negligence.
“I don’t want to take someone to court.” Most claims settle out of court. And insurance coverage is usually provided.
“It sounds complicated.” It doesn’t have to be. Our team will guide you through every step, from investigation to resolution. You only have to focus on your treatment and recovery. We’ll do the rest.
“Will I be charged if I lose?” Our No Win, No Fee model means you don’t pay legal fees unless we win. In most cases, you’ll have no out-of-pocket costs.
Why Carbone Lawyers
Carbone Lawyers have decades of experience in personal injury law. We’ve helped thousands of Victorians recover compensation in public liability matters, including injuries at markets, festivals, and outdoor events. We offer:
- Specialist public liability expertise
- Strong track record of successful outcomes
- Clear communication, without legal jargon
- No Win, No Fee protection on most personal injury claims
If you’re unsure where to begin, we’ll help you get the answers you need, without pressure.
Get The Support You Deserve, When You Need It Most
An injury at a public event can be disorienting, painful, and expensive. But you don’t have to shoulder the consequences alone. If your injuries occurred because of somebody else’s fault, you have the right to seek compensation, and the support to get there.If you need legal advice or are unsatisfied with your current lawyers, the Carbone Lawyers team is ready to help. To start, call 1800 369 888 today.
