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Knowledge Base

Welcome to Roche Legal's legal blog: Your resource for plain-language guides, case reviews, and practical information on personal injury law in Queensland. Whether you have been injured in a road accident, workplace incident, or public place, our articles are written to help you understand your rights and the claims process under Queensland law.

Topics covered include motor vehicle accidents, WorkCover claims, public liability, and total and permanent disability. For a full overview of your entitlements, explore our personal injury law guide.

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Case Review (MAIA): Murphy v Madill

How do you assess damages when your client has been injured in two separate motor vehicle accidents with overlapping psychiatric and physical injuries? Murphy v Madill [2025] QSC 103 secured $635,146.81 for a plaintiff with pre-existing psychiatric conditions who suffered psychiatric injury in a 2017 accident and orthopaedic injuries in a 2019 accident. This case … Read more

Case Review (MAIA): Bauer v Clay

Incomplete medical records don’t have to sink your case. In Bauer v Clay [2025] QSC 114, a plaintiff secured $602,008 despite significant gaps in medical evidence. This analysis for personal injury lawyers examines one way to prove causation and future economic loss when your client’s records are incomplete. CLAIM TYPE: Motor Vehicle Accident PLAINTIFF: Male, … Read more

2025 Review: Motor Vehicle Accident Judgments

When you’re injured in a motor vehicle accident in Queensland, understanding recent court decisions can help you evaluate your own claim. The Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 (Qld) (MAIA) governs how these claims are assessed and what damages you may be entitled to receive. In 2025, the Queensland Supreme Court handed down several significant judgments … Read more

“I Know What I’m Worth” – Why That’s Rarely True in Queensland Injury Claims

At Roche Legal, we often hear two statements from new clients: Both are understandable reactions from someone in pain, navigating uncertainty after an injury. But both are usually wrong – and here’s why. You Don’t Know What You’re Worth Personal injury damages in Queensland are governed by detailed and restrictive legislation – including the Civil … Read more

Court Orders Disclosure of Hundreds of Abuse Claims in Brisbane Youth Detention Centre Case

A ruling by District Court Judge Rosengren in Grealy v State of Queensland has shed light on the balance courts must strike between a plaintiff’s right to evidence and the privacy of third parties in historical abuse cases. In this matter, the plaintiff alleged that he suffered sexual abuse whilst a child at the Brisbane … Read more

New Personal Injury Notice of Claim Forms Now in Force

If you’re considering a a personal injury claim in Brisbane or elsewhere in Queensland, a quiet but crucial change came into effect two days ago: new versions of the Personal Injury Proceedings Act 2002 (PIPA) Notice of Claim forms are now mandatory. Effective 1 September 2025, the Queensland Government has officially rolled out Version 7 … Read more

Claiming Damages After Missing the 6-Month WorkCover Deadline

At Roche Legal, we regularly speak with injured workers who are concerned they have missed the 6-month deadline to lodge a WorkCover claim. While the law in Queensland is strict, missing that deadline does not automatically end your rights. There are pathways that may still allow you to recover compensation and, in some cases, pursue … Read more

WorkCover Lump Sum Payment Amounts for Permanent Impairment

If you’ve received a Notice of Assessment from WorkCover Queensland with a degree of permanent impairment (DPI) score, you are likely entitled to a lump sum payment. This page explains how the amount is calculated and includes a calculator so you can check your exact entitlement instantly. When you’ve had a workplace injury, the statutory … Read more

The Hidden Financial Risks of Making a Personal Injury Claim

Illustration of financial risks in personal injury litigation

Many people believe that starting a personal injury claim is a straightforward way to receive compensation. The reality in Queensland is much more complex. While Queensland offers compensation under various statutory schemes – including the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (WCRA), the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 (MAIA), and the Personal Injuries Proceedings Act … Read more

Appeals to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) – 2024

Queensland Industrial Relations Commission 2024 appeals statistics

The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) is a specialist tribunal that deals with employment and workers’ compensation disputes. Unlike the Queensland Court of Appeal, which reviews trial court decisions, the QIRC handles appeals from decisions made by WorkCover Queensland or the Workers’ Compensation Regulator. It is not a court in the traditional sense but has … Read more