Our goal is to help people in the best way possible. this is a basic principle in every case and cause for success. contact us today for a free consultation.
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GOLD COAST · QUEENSLAND
Something went wrong — and a professional you trusted is responsible. Maybe your solicitor let a filing deadline slip and your case was struck out before it could be heard. Maybe a specialist at one of the Gold Coast’s private hospitals missed something on a scan that changed the course of your health. Whatever the situation, you are not obliged to absorb that loss quietly.
Fair Go Australia’s specialist professional negligence lawyers work with Gold Coast residents to assess, build, and pursue claims against professionals who have fallen short. The initial evaluation costs nothing — and if your claim proceeds, we operate on a strict no-win, no-fee basis.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR RIGHTS
When a professional takes on work for you, they assume a legal obligation to perform that work competently. A Gold Coast conveyancer handling your property settlement, a financial adviser managing your super, a building certifier signing off on a development — each of them owes you a standard of care. If they fall below that standard, and that failure causes you real, measurable loss, you may have a professional negligence claim.
The High Court’s decision in Rogers v Whitaker (1992) 175 CLR 479 confirmed that a professional must exercise the degree of care and skill that a reasonable person in their position would apply. In Queensland, the Civil Liability Act 2003 (QLD) sets the legislative framework within which these claims are assessed — whether you’re dealing with a lawyer, a doctor, a financial adviser, or a building professional.
The defining question is not whether a mistake was made. It’s whether the professional met the standard their role required. When they didn’t, and you’ve paid the price, the law may provide a remedy.
WHAT WE HANDLE
Gold Coast residents come to us with a wide range of professional negligence situations. The city’s rapid growth — in construction, property, finance, and healthcare — means professional relationships are constant, and so are the opportunities for things to go wrong.
A missed limitation period. Incorrect advice on a property title. A settlement that collapsed because a clause was overlooked. Solicitor and conveyancer negligence can cost Gold Coast residents tens — or hundreds — of thousands of dollars, often at the worst possible time.
A delayed diagnosis at a Gold Coast hospital or specialist clinic. A surgical procedure that caused preventable harm. A referral that arrived too late. Medical negligence claims are among the most serious we handle and deserve careful, expert attention.
An investment strategy that wasn’t remotely suitable for your circumstances. Tax advice that triggered an ATO audit. SMSF mismanagement that eroded years of savings. Financial professionals carry real obligations — and when they breach them, the losses can be life-altering.
Gold Coast is one of Australia’s busiest construction markets. Structural defects, non-compliant certifications, and errors in development approvals create costly problems for property owners and developers. When a building professional’s negligence is at the root, there may be a legitimate claim.
A failed software implementation. A data breach resulting from poor security advice. Technology consultants owe their clients the same standard of competence as any other professional — and when they fall short, the financial consequences can be significant.
ELIGIBILITY
Four things generally need to be in place before a professional negligence claim can proceed:
You don’t need to have this worked out before you speak to us. That’s precisely what the free case evaluation is for. Our team will work through each of these elements against your specific situation — honestly, and without obligation.
If you’d like to take a first step on your own, our Claim Eligibility Checker walks you through the key questions in a few minutes.
THE PROCESS
Tell us what happened — in your own words, with as much or as little detail as you have at hand. We’ll assess whether the four elements of a negligence claim are present and give you an honest picture of how we see the situation.
If the claim looks viable, we help you identify and collect what’s needed — contracts, correspondence, professional records, clinical notes, and where necessary, independent expert reports.
We put the professional — and their insurer — on formal notice. The letter sets out the nature of the negligence, the loss suffered, and the remedy sought.
Most professional negligence claims in Queensland resolve before reaching a courtroom. We negotiate directly with the professional’s insurer and legal team to pursue a fair outcome without unnecessary delay.
If negotiation doesn’t resolve the matter, proceedings can be commenced in the District Court of Queensland, which sits at Southport — the Gold Coast’s legal precinct. High-value claims may be heard in the Supreme Court of Queensland in Brisbane.
Whether through a negotiated settlement or a court order, the goal is compensation that properly reflects the loss you’ve suffered. We keep you informed at every step.
COMPENSATION
The compensation available in a professional negligence claim depends on the nature of the loss and the specific circumstances of your case. The primary categories are:
Courts apply principles established in cases such as Malec v JC Hutton Pty Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 638 when assessing contingencies and future loss. In commercial matters, the approach to economic loss quantification from Sellars v Adelaide Petroleum NL (1994) 179 CLR 332 may also be relevant.
Your entitlements will depend on the facts of your case. We’ll give you a clear picture of what’s potentially recoverable once we’ve had the chance to assess your situation properly.
In Queensland, professional negligence claims are generally subject to a three-year limitation period under the Limitation of Actions Act 1974 (QLD). The clock typically starts running from the date you became aware — or ought reasonably to have become aware — of the negligence and the loss it caused.
This means the limitation period doesn’t always begin on the date the professional made their error. In some cases — particularly where harm emerged gradually or was not immediately apparent — the three years may run from a later point. This is not something to rely on without proper legal advice.
Act before time runs out.
In Queensland, professional negligence claims must generally be commenced within 3 years of the date you became aware — or should reasonably have become aware — of the negligence. Missing this deadline can permanently extinguish your right to claim. If you are unsure whether your limitation period is still open, contact our team for a free assessment as soon as possible.
WHY CHOOSE US
We know what it feels like to face an institution — a law firm, a hospital, a financial services company — that has more resources and more legal firepower than you do. Our job is to level that playing field.
We handle professional negligence claims exclusively. Not personal injury broadly, not family law, not criminal matters. Our focus is narrow by design — because specialist work produces better outcomes for clients.
You pay us nothing unless your claim succeeds. No hidden charges for the evaluation, no upfront costs at any stage. If the claim doesn’t succeed, you don’t owe us anything.
You don’t need to be in a major city to get proper legal representation. We work with Gold Coast clients entirely remotely — by phone, email, and video where needed. Distance is not a barrier.
The first conversation is genuinely free and carries no obligation whatsoever. If we don’t think you have a viable claim, we’ll tell you honestly rather than waste your time.
✔ No Win No Fee ✔ Free Evaluation ✔ Confidential ✔ Australia-Wide
COMMON QUESTIONS
Yes. The location of the professional doesn’t determine where the claim is handled. What matters is where the professional work was carried out and where the relevant contract was formed. Queensland law applies regardless of whether your solicitor, doctor, or financial adviser was based in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, or anywhere else in Australia.
It varies considerably. Claims that settle at the negotiation or mediation stage — which accounts for the majority of matters — can resolve within several months to a year. Matters that proceed to litigation in the District or Supreme Court can take longer, depending on complexity and court availability. We’ll give you a realistic timeframe once we’ve assessed your situation.
The core of any negligence claim is documentation. Contracts, fee agreements, written advice, correspondence, clinical records, financial statements, and communications with the professional are all relevant. You may also need an expert report from an independent professional in the same field. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything organised — we help with evidence gathering as part of the process.
Not necessarily for every step. Many procedural aspects of litigation can be handled without your physical attendance. If the matter proceeds to trial, you may be required to give evidence, but we will prepare you thoroughly for that. The District Court at Southport is accessible for Gold Coast residents when attendance is required.
They are separate matters handled through entirely different processes. Professional negligence is a civil law claim — you seek financial compensation through the courts. Professional misconduct is a disciplinary matter handled by the relevant regulatory body: the Queensland Law Society for solicitors, AHPRA for health practitioners, and ASIC for financial advisers. A misconduct finding can result in a professional losing their registration, but it does not compensate you for your loss. Both processes can run simultaneously, but they remain distinct.
Our goal is to help people in the best way possible. this is a basic principle in every case and cause for success. contact us today for a free consultation.
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