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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If something has gone wrong — and you suspect a professional is to blame — you’re probably feeling a mix of confusion, frustration, and uncertainty about what to do next. That’s completely understandable. Whether it was a lawyer who mishandled your matter, a doctor who missed something important, or a financial adviser who steered you in the wrong direction, the impact on your life can be serious and lasting.
Fair Go Australia helps people across Pakenham and the Cardinia Shire understand their options and connect with specialist professional negligence lawyers. You don’t need to travel into Melbourne. Everything can be handled by phone, video, or email — at a time that suits you.
Specialist professional negligence support for Pakenham and the Cardinia Shire. Australia-wide coverage. No win, no fee.
Professional negligence occurs when someone you hired for their expertise — a lawyer, doctor, accountant, financial adviser, or other licensed professional — fails to meet the standard of care expected in their field, and that failure causes you measurable loss.
To make a claim, four things generally need to be established: the professional owed you a duty of care, they breached that duty, the breach caused your loss, and the loss was real and quantifiable. If those elements are present, you may be entitled to compensation under Victorian law.
Pakenham is a fast-growing community, and with that growth comes increasing reliance on professionals — for property purchases, financial planning, business advice, and healthcare. When those professionals get it wrong, the consequences can be serious.
Your conveyancer failed to identify a restrictive covenant on a property you purchased in Pakenham, and you later discovered the land couldn’t be developed as planned. That’s not just disappointing — it may be actionable.
An adviser recommended a high-risk investment strategy without properly assessing your risk tolerance or financial situation. When the investment collapsed, your retirement savings went with it.
Errors during a property settlement — missed deadlines, incorrect advice on stamp duty, failure to conduct proper searches — can turn what should be a straightforward purchase into a costly dispute.
A broker placed you in a loan product that wasn’t suitable for your circumstances, resulting in financial hardship when repayments became unmanageable.
A GP missed early warning signs of a condition that, once properly diagnosed months later, required significantly more invasive treatment. Delayed diagnosis is one of the most common forms of medical negligence in Australia.
Your accountant made errors in your tax returns that triggered an ATO audit, resulting in penalties and interest you wouldn’t otherwise have faced.
A structural engineer signed off on a design or inspection that later proved to be defective, leading to costly rectification work on your home or investment property.
Each of these situations is different, but the legal framework is the same. If a professional owed you a duty of care and failed to meet it, you deserve to know whether you have a claim.
Professional negligence claims in Victoria are primarily governed by the Wrongs Act 1958 (VIC). This legislation sets out how negligence is assessed, how damages are calculated, and the standards courts apply when determining whether a professional has fallen short.
The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) also applies in many cases — particularly where a professional’s services were supplied in trade or commerce. Under the ACL, consumers have protections against misleading conduct and guarantees that services will be rendered with due care and skill.
For legal professionals specifically, the Law Institute of Victoria is the regulatory body responsible for setting and enforcing professional standards. Significant claims are heard in the Supreme Court of Victoria, though many matters are resolved through negotiation or mediation before reaching that stage.
This is one of the most important questions to ask — and one of the most overlooked.
Under the Limitation of Actions Act 1958 (VIC), the general limitation period for professional negligence claims is six years. For personal injury claims arising from negligence, a shorter three-year period applies, running from the date you became aware (or should reasonably have become aware) of the negligence.
Act before time runs out. In Victoria, professional negligence claims must generally be commenced within 6 years (or 3 years for personal injury claims) of the date you became aware — or should reasonably have become aware — of the negligence. These time limits are set under the Limitation of Actions Act 1958 (VIC). 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.
The rules around when time starts running can be complex. In some cases, the clock doesn’t start until you discover the loss — but there are outer limits too. If you’re not sure where you stand, don’t wait.
Fair Go Australia works entirely remotely, which means Pakenham residents have full access to our services without needing to travel to Melbourne.
Our initial case evaluation is free. There’s no obligation, and everything you share is completely confidential. If your matter has merit, we’ll connect you with specialist professional negligence lawyers who work on a no-win, no-fee basis — meaning you pay nothing unless your claim succeeds.
Our team handles matters across all of Victoria, including Cardinia Shire and the outer south-east corridor. We understand that people in growing communities like Pakenham deal with the same complex professional relationships as anyone in the city — and deserve the same access to justice when things go wrong.
Our free case evaluation takes the guesswork out of the process. Tell us what happened — we’ll give you an honest assessment with no strings attached. We respond within 1 business day.
✔ No Win No Fee ✔ Free Evaluation ✔ Confidential ✔ Australia-Wide
Yes, in many cases. The majority of professional negligence matters in Victoria are resolved through negotiation or mediation — court proceedings are often a last resort. Your lawyer will advise you on the most practical path depending on the circumstances of your claim and the conduct of the other party.
The general limitation period is six years from the date the negligence occurred, or from when you became aware of it. Personal injury claims have a shorter three-year window. These time limits are set under the Limitation of Actions Act 1958 (VIC). The rules can be complex, so it’s worth getting a free assessment sooner rather than later.
No. Everything is handled remotely — phone, video call, or email. Pakenham clients receive exactly the same level of service as anyone in the Melbourne CBD. Distance is not a barrier.
No win, no fee means you pay no legal fees unless your claim is successful. It removes the financial risk of pursuing a legitimate claim and ensures your lawyer is equally motivated to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
The best first step is a free case evaluation. You’ll speak with someone who can assess whether your situation has the key elements of a negligence claim — duty of care, breach, causation, and loss. There’s no obligation to proceed, and everything is confidential.
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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