Free first consultation. No win, no fee, with the firm funding out of pocket costs during the claim, according to the firm. Home, hospital or video appointments for clients too unwell to travel.
Office
573-577 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
One of Victoria's bigger plaintiff firms, working only in personal injury and compensation law. It was founded by Michael Arnold and Richard Thomas and says it has more than 50 years in the field. The head office is on Lonsdale Street near Southern Cross, with a second CBD office and a dozen more around the state. Emily Hart, who leads the medical negligence group, and Jake Tyler are LIV accredited personal injury specialists, according to the firm. The first consultation is free, claims run on a no win, no fee basis, and lawyers will visit you at home or in hospital.
The firm says it has more than 50 years in personal injury law
Also worth knowing
Offers a free first consultation and no win, no fee terms, and will visit clients at home or in hospital.
Lawyers
The firm lists more than 60 lawyers but most profiles don't say which office they work from.
Lee Flanagan, Managing Principal
Kim Price, Deputy Managing Principal
Emily Hart, Principal, head of medical negligence, Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law Accredited personal injury law specialist
Jake Tyler, Senior Associate, CBD office, Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law Accredited personal injury law specialist
Joseph Braverman, Principal Lawyer, class actions
Sara Kaurin, Special Counsel, Melbourne office
Larry Dent, Principal
Areas of personal injury law handled
TAC road accident claims
WorkCover claims
Lump sum impairment claims
Common law damages claims
Psychological injury claims
Death and dependency claims
Comcare claims
Public place injury claims
Medical negligence and birth injury claims
Asbestos and silicosis claims
Superannuation and TPD claims
Class actions
Office
573-577 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Other details
Other offices
Little Lonsdale St (CBD), Richmond, Werribee, Craigieburn, Ringwood, Dandenong, Frankston, Sunbury, Geelong, Ballarat, Warrnambool, Traralgon and Sydney
Obligation free first consultation and free claim check. No win, no fee for road, work, medical, abuse and other listed matters where the case is reasonably likely to succeed. Disbursements are generally payable either way, except in dust disease and class action matters.
Office
Level 21, 380 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
The Melbourne founded plaintiff firm, set up by Maurice Blackburn in 1919 and now running more than 30 offices around Australia. Its La Trobe Street office has separate teams for road, work, medical, public place, superannuation and dust disease claims, each led by a principal lawyer. Janine Gregory, who heads its southern roads and workplace injuries team, is an LIV accredited personal injury specialist. It suits serious or complex claims and asbestos or silica disease. The first consultation is obligation free and most injury work is no win, no fee.
Founded in 1919
Also worth knowing
In dust disease matters, disbursements are only payable if the claim succeeds, according to the firm.
Lawyers
This is a selection of the Melbourne office's injury lawyers; the firm lists many more.
Janine Gregory, Head of South Injuries, Principal Lawyer (road, work and public place injury) Accredited personal injury law specialist
Emma Hines, Managing Counsel (work and road injury)
Tom Ballantyne, Principal Lawyer (medical injury)
Geraldine Collins, Principal Lawyer (road injury)
Azmeena Hussain, Principal Lawyer (work injury)
Dimi Ioannou, National Head of Public Liability and Consumer Protection
Hayriye Uluca, Principal Lawyer (superannuation and insurance)
Sally Weir, Principal Lawyer (dust diseases)
Leah O'Keefe, Principal Lawyer (dust diseases)
Samuel Pearce, Principal Lawyer (medical injury)
John Rule, Principal Lawyer (childhood abuse)
Areas of personal injury law handled
TAC road injury claims
WorkCover and work injury claims
Medical negligence claims
Public place injury claims
TPD and income protection claims
Asbestos and silica dust disease claims
Childhood abuse claims
Class actions
Will disputes
Office
Level 21, 380 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Other details
Other offices
Reservoir, Craigieburn, Ringwood, Dandenong, Frankston, Traralgon and Mildura, plus offices interstate
Free consultation, according to the firm's homepage. No win, no fee on most personal injury claims, with costs discussed at the first interview and disbursements usually covered during the claim.
Office
Level 1, 224/236 Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3004
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Arnold Dallas McPherson has acted for injured Victorians since 1994 and says it now does nothing but personal injury work. The Melbourne office on Queen Street, near the courts, is led by partners Shaun Marcus and James Casey with a team of eight injury lawyers. Shaun Marcus is an LIV accredited personal injury specialist, according to the firm. It covers WorkCover, TAC, public liability, medical negligence, asbestos and TPD claims, with 12 more offices around Victoria. The first consultation is free and most claims are no win, no fee.
Serving Victorians since 1994
Also worth knowing
Works on a no win, no fee basis for most claims and usually covers disbursements while the claim runs, according to the firm.
Lawyers
Shaun Marcus, Partner, Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law Accredited personal injury law specialist
James Casey, Partner
Melissa Gocs, Senior Associate
Grace Whitley, Senior Associate
Sophie Ryan, Senior Associate
Emily Lamb, Associate
Olivia Dimovski, Personal Injury Lawyer
Leah Felsbourg, Personal Injury Lawyer
Areas of personal injury law handled
WorkCover claims
TAC and motor vehicle accident claims
Public liability claims
Medical negligence claims
Asbestos and dust disease claims
Superannuation TPD claims
Public transport accident claims
Slip and fall claims
Stevedore compensation claims
Comcare claims
CRPS claims
Office
Level 1, 224/236 Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3004
Other details
Other offices
Moonee Ponds, Chadstone, Bundoora, Ringwood, Scoresby, Narre Warren, Castlemaine, Bendigo, Maryborough, Shepparton, Echuca and Swan Hill
Free, no obligation first appointment at an office, at home, in hospital, or by phone or video. No win, no fee, with the firm covering case costs such as medical reports and court fees while the claim runs, according to the firm.
Office
3 Chester St, Oakleigh VIC 3166
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Zaparas is a family firm founded in 1981 by Peter and Lia Zaparas, and their children Yianni, Paul and Zoe now run it as managing partners from the Oakleigh head office. It has grown to more than 200 people and nine Victorian offices, and does only injury work: WorkCover, TAC, public liability, dust diseases and TPD. The firm says Doyle's Guide ranked it first tier for work injury and motor vehicle accident claims in 2026. Claims run on a no win, no fee basis, and the first appointment is free, with home or hospital visits available.
Founded in 1981
Also worth knowing
Offers a free first appointment, including home and hospital visits, on a no win, no fee basis.
Lawyers
The firm's team page runs to six pages; partners and managing partners are listed here.
Peter Zaparas, Founder and Managing Partner, WorkCover
Lia Zaparas, Co founder and Special Counsel
Yianni Zaparas, Managing Partner, TAC
Paul Zaparas, Managing Partner, WorkCover
Zoe Zaparas, Managing Partner, TAC
John Typaldos, Partner, WorkCover
Mark Mitchell, Partner, WorkCover
Matt Andrews, Partner, Superannuation
Matthew Naughtin, Partner, TAC
Pey-Chiann Hor, Partner, WorkCover
Rebecca Christofidis, Partner, WorkCover
Areas of personal injury law handled
WorkCover claims
Psychological injury WorkCover claims
Denied WorkCover claim disputes
Lump sum impairment claims
TAC road accident claims
Public liability claims
Dog attack claims
Silicosis claims
Asbestos disease claims
Occupational lung disease claims
Superannuation and TPD claims
Office
3 Chester St, Oakleigh VIC 3166
Other details
Other offices
Sunshine, Epping, Werribee, Melton, Cranbourne, Pakenham, Drouin and Bendigo
Languages
The firm says its team speaks more than 30 languages, with dedicated Chinese, Vietnamese and Hindi pages
Free first consultation. No win, no fee with capped fees, and the firm says it waives fees where compensation is small. Disbursements may be payable during the case and aren't refunded if the case is lost.
Office
Level 11, 456 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Polaris Lawyers is a Melbourne CBD personal injury boutique that Nick Mann started in 2017 after years at larger firms. Mann is an LIV accredited personal injury specialist, and the firm now has five principals and directors plus a senior social worker on staff. It handles TAC, WorkCover, medical negligence and public liability claims. It suits clients who want a smaller firm with a full team and clear fee limits. The first consultation is free, work is no win, no fee, and the firm caps what it charges.
Founded in 2017
Also worth knowing
The firm caps its fees and says it waives them where compensation is small.
Lawyers
Nick Mann, Founder and Principal Accredited personal injury law specialist
Free claims check and free first consultation. No win, no fee, with nothing to pay upfront, according to the firm
Office
Suite 2, Level 4, 410 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
A large national compensation firm, based in Sydney, with a Melbourne office on Collins Street and another in Geelong. The firm says it has more than 35 years in injury law and 22 offices across four states and territories. In Melbourne its site names Special Counsel Paula Shelton, who works on medical negligence and institutional abuse claims. It suits people with medical negligence, abuse, dust disease or TPD claims who want a big national firm behind them. It offers a free claims check and first consultation, and works on a no win, no fee basis.
Also worth knowing
Offers a free claims check and first consultation on a no win, no fee basis.
Lawyers
Paula Shelton is the only lawyer the site clearly places in Melbourne. Other partners named on the Melbourne pages appear to be Sydney based.
Paula Shelton, Special Counsel, Melbourne (medical negligence and institutional abuse)
Areas of personal injury law handled
Medical negligence claims
Public liability claims
Motor vehicle accident and TAC claims
Institutional child abuse claims
TPD and superannuation claims
Dust disease, asbestos and mesothelioma claims
Workers compensation claims
Product liability claims
Professional negligence claims
Class actions
Travel accident claims
Office
Suite 2, Level 4, 410 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Other details
Other offices
Geelong in Victoria, plus 17 NSW offices, Brisbane, Surfers Paradise and Canberra
Free, obligation free first appointment for new clients. No win, no fee in most injury matters, according to the firm.
Office
Level 13, 460 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Robinson Gill is a Box Hill firm with a CBD office on Lonsdale Street open by appointment. Founding principal Harry Gill has close to 40 years in injury law, chaired the LIV's workers compensation committee for nine years and won the LIV Distinguished Service Award in 2024. The firm says four of its injury principals are LIV accredited specialists. Alongside WorkCover, TAC, slip and fall, medical negligence and TPD claims, it acts for volunteer firefighters. It also handles family, property and business work. The first appointment is free, and most injury matters run on a no win, no fee basis.
Also worth knowing
Offers a free first appointment and no win, no fee terms in most injury matters.
Lawyers
Harry Gill, Founding Principal, Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law Accredited personal injury law specialist
Jeremy King, Principal, injury law and police misconduct, Accredited Specialist Accredited personal injury law specialist
Danielle Meyer, Principal, injury law, Accredited Specialist Accredited personal injury law specialist
Lisa Paul, Principal Lawyer, injury law, Accredited Specialist Accredited personal injury law specialist
Jacinta Richards, Principal Lawyer, injury law, superannuation, TPD and income protection
Rhythm Kahal, Lawyer, injury law
Areas of personal injury law handled
WorkCover claims
Common law damages claims
WorkCover review disputes
TAC road accident claims
VCAT reviews of TAC decisions
Slip, fall and public accident claims
Medical negligence claims
Superannuation TPD claims
Income protection claims
Volunteer firefighter injury claims
Office
Level 13, 460 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Other details
Other offices
Box Hill head office (Level 3, 990 Whitehorse Road)
Languages
Chinese, French, Greek, Italian, Malay, Hindi and Marathi
Maxiom Injury Lawyers is a personal injury only firm that Sach Fernando founded in 2018, run from Chadstone with meeting points across Melbourne's suburbs. Fernando is an LIV accredited specialist in personal injury law and has been named a Rising Star by the Law Institute of Victoria. The firm handles WorkCover, TAC, public liability, medical negligence, TPD and asbestos claims. It suits workers and drivers in the south east and Sinhala or Tamil speaking clients. Work is no win, no fee with no uplift fee, and a free claims check comes first.
Founded in 2018
Also worth knowing
Fernando speaks Sinhala, and the firm offers brochures in Sinhala and Tamil.
Lawyers
The firm's site names only its founder and refers to the rest as his team.
Sach Fernando, Founder and Principal Lawyer Accredited personal injury law specialist
Free, no obligation first consultation, with a free interpreter if needed. No win, no fee, with a written costs agreement explained before signing, according to the firm.
Office
Level 3, 607 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Henry Carus + Associates is an injury firm run by its founder Henry Carus, who has led it since 2001 after a career that started as a trial lawyer in New York. He has been an LIV accredited personal injury specialist since 2009. The firm works from Bourke Street in the CBD and lists many suburban offices. It covers TAC, WorkCover, public liability, medical negligence, TPD and silicosis claims, and says its team speaks more than 14 languages. The first consultation is free and claims run on a no win, no fee basis.
Henry Carus has led the firm since 2001
Also worth knowing
Offers a free first consultation on a no win, no fee basis.
Lawyers
The firm's team page doesn't say which office each lawyer works from.
Henry Carus, Principal, Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law Accredited personal injury law specialist
Free claim check and a free 15 minute discovery call. No win, no fee, with no upfront costs and fees confirmed before work starts, according to the firm.
Office
Level 16, 263 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Karlos Lawyers is a young firm founded in 2022 by principal lawyer Marin Karlos, with a CBD office on William Street and a base in Caroline Springs. Its injury work covers WorkCover, TAC road accident claims, public liability and TPD, and it also runs abuse and family law practices. The team lists lawyers who speak Arabic, Greek and Vietnamese, among other languages, which suits clients in Melbourne's west. Claims run on a no win, no fee basis, and the firm offers a free claim check and a short free discovery call.
Founded in 2022
Also worth knowing
Works on a no win, no fee basis with a free claim check, according to the firm.
Lawyers
The firm also lists special counsel Toby Robinson and Nelson Pinto and several other lawyers, but doesn't say which of them work on injury claims.
Marin Karlos, Principal Lawyer
Gigi Efthimiou, Lawyer, personal injury (WorkCover, TAC and public liability)
Amna Taleb, Lawyer, family law and personal injury
Areas of personal injury law handled
WorkCover claims
TAC transport accident claims
Rejected TAC claims and internal reviews
Serious injury and impairment disputes
Public liability claims
TPD claims
Superannuation and permanent disability claims
Abuse and mistreatment compensation claims
Office
Level 16, 263 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Other details
Other offices
Caroline Springs (Suite 1, 11 Commercial Rd)
Languages
English, Arabic, Greek, Vietnamese, Urdu, Pashto, Assyrian, Italian and Nuer
Firm details come from each firm's own website. Google ratings are shown as published on Google and don't set the order. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
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How we compiled this list
We include firms with a Melbourne office that do personal injury work as a main part of their practice. For each firm we read its own website in October 2026 and wrote the description ourselves. Where a firm says a lawyer is an LIV accredited specialist we say so, and you can check the LIV's specialist directory. Fee terms are as the firm describes them, so confirm them in your costs agreement. We show Google ratings with the date we checked them.
Some firms pay for a featured listing, which affects where they appear on this page. Payment doesn't buy the write-up. We write those ourselves, and firms don't get to edit them. If something here is out of date, let us know. There's more detail on how we rank law firms.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules and amounts are as published by the TAC, WorkSafe Victoria and the Victorian courts in October 2026.
Road accident claims through the TAC
The TAC covers people injured in transport accidents in Victoria and pays benefits regardless of who was at fault. Lodge your claim within one year of the accident, or of when the injury first appeared. The TAC can accept a late claim made within three years of the accident if there are reasonable grounds for the delay. You'll need the police report number, or the officer's name, badge number and station. If you were injured at work in a transport accident, claim through WorkSafe first.
Income support: usually 80% of your gross income before the accident, if you're off work for more than 5 days, up to $1,730 a week from 1 July 2026
Impairment lump sum: payable from 11% whole person impairment, from $9,890 up to $451,650
Common law damages: only if your injury is a serious injury and someone else was negligent. An impairment of 30% or more counts, and below that the TAC can still certify a serious injury based on its long term effect on your life. If it refuses, you can apply to the County Court
TAC common law amounts from 1 July 2026
Amount
Threshold for pain and suffering damages, and for lost earnings damages
$70,130
Maximum for pain and suffering
$701,620
Maximum for lost earnings
$1,578,760
Work injury claims through WorkSafe
Tell your employer within 30 days of becoming aware of the injury, ideally in writing. A claim for weekly payments needs the worker's injury claim form and a certificate of capacity from your GP. The WorkSafe agent has 28 days to decide whether to accept it. Your employer pays the first 10 days off work and the first $903 of medical costs.
Period off work
Weekly payments
First 13 weeks
95% of your pre-injury average weekly earnings
Weeks 14 to 130
80% of your pre-injury earnings
After 130 weeks
Only if you have no current work capacity likely to continue indefinitely and, for claims reaching 130 weeks from 31 March 2024, an impairment of 21% or more
The maximum weekly payment is $3,000 from 1 July 2026. For mental injuries from 31 March 2024, the injury must be diagnosed by a GP or psychiatrist and work must be the main cause. Stress or burnout from the normal demands of your job isn't covered, but bullying, harassment and discrimination aren't treated as normal demands, and stress or burnout caused by a traumatic event at work can still be covered. To sue your employer for damages, the injury must be serious and caused by negligence.
If your claim is rejected or payments stop, the Workplace Injury Commission offers free conciliation. For injuries from 1 September 2022, some disputes about weekly payments and medical expenses can also go to arbitration, where each side generally pays its own costs unless the worker wins.
Public liability and medical negligence
Claims for injuries in public places, shops and workplaces outside WorkSafe, or from medical treatment, fall under the Wrongs Act. To get damages for pain and suffering you need a significant injury:
Physical injuries: more than 5% whole person impairment
Spinal injuries: 5% or more
Psychiatric injuries: 10% or more
Lost earnings are calculated on no more than three times average weekly earnings, and damages for unpaid care are limited: the Wrongs Act sets minimums of 6 hours a week and 6 months, so short or occasional help usually isn't covered. If you want to complain about a health provider rather than claim compensation, contact the Health Complaints Commissioner on 1300 582 113.
Asbestos and silica dust diseases
From 2 October 2026, there's no time limit for workers' common law claims about dust related diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and silicosis. Other people's dust disease claims still have the usual 3 year limit from when they learn of the disease. Workers can skip the usual pre-court steps and go to the Supreme Court, but must ask an Associate Judge for leave within 30 days and still prove a serious injury, unless the worker has died. The same changes restored common law rights for workers exposed to dust between 12 November 1997 and 20 October 1999, and allow a second damages claim if you later develop another dust related condition from the same exposure.
Time limits for injury claims in Victoria
Claim
Time limit
TAC claim
1 year from the accident or from when the injury appeared, or within 3 years of the accident with good reason. If no claim was made for a child, they can claim up until the day before they turn 21
TAC common law damages
Generally 6 years from the accident, or from age 18 for a child
Telling your employer about a work injury
Within 30 days
Other injury claims
Generally 3 years from when you knew of the injury and its cause, with a 12 year outer limit
Children and people of unsound mind, as the Act puts it
Generally 6 years from when the injury is discoverable, with a 12 year long stop
Child abuse
No time limit
Dust diseases
No time limit for workers since 2 October 2026. Others have 3 years from when they learn of the disease
Courts can extend some time limits, but don't rely on it. Smaller claims up to $100,000 can go to the Magistrates' Court, while the County Court and Supreme Court have no limit. The County Court also decides serious injury applications for TAC and WorkSafe claims.
What a Melbourne personal injury lawyer costs
Most injury lawyers work on a no win, no fee basis, which means you pay their professional fees only if the claim succeeds. A few rules apply:
Costs disclosure: if your legal costs are likely to be more than $750, your lawyer must tell you in writing how they'll charge
No win, no fee agreements: must be in writing, in plain language, and set out what counts as success
Uplift fees: allowed only where your lawyer thinks your prospects are good, capped at 25% of legal costs, not counting disbursements
Percentage fees: Victorian lawyers can't charge a share of your payout, except under a court order in a Supreme Court class action
In a successful TAC common law claim, the TAC may pay some of your legal costs directly to your lawyer.
Free help
TAC: 1300 654 329
WorkSafe Advisory: 1800 136 089
Workplace Injury Commission: 1800 635 960, free conciliation for work injury disputes
LIV Find Your Lawyer Referral Service: (03) 9607 9311, a free first interview with a referred firm. Victoria Legal Aid doesn't advise on personal injury claims
Melbourne personal injury law: common questions
How long do I have to make a TAC claim?
Within one year of the accident, or of when the injury first appeared. The TAC can accept a late claim made within three years of the accident if you have reasonable grounds for the delay. A common law damages claim generally has to start within six years.
Can I claim from the TAC if the accident was my fault?
Yes. The TAC pays benefits such as medical costs and income support regardless of who was at fault. To claim common law damages, though, someone else must have been negligent and your injury must be a serious injury.
Is stress at work covered by WorkSafe?
Only in some cases. For mental injuries from 31 March 2024, stress or burnout from the normal demands of your job isn't covered. Injuries caused by bullying, harassment or discrimination can be, and so can stress or burnout from a traumatic event at work.
What does no win, no fee mean?
You only pay the lawyer's professional fees if your claim succeeds. You may still pay disbursements such as medical reports, and the agreement must be in writing. Victorian lawyers can't take a percentage of your compensation as their fee.
What is an accredited specialist in personal injury law?
A lawyer who has passed extra assessment in personal injury law through the Law Institute of Victoria. It isn't required to practise, but it's a sign of depth in the area. Several firms on this list name accredited specialists.
Do I need a lawyer for a TAC or WorkSafe claim?
Not to lodge a claim, which you can do yourself. A lawyer becomes more useful when a claim is rejected, payments stop, or you might qualify for a lump sum or common law damages.
How long does an injury claim take?
The TAC says common law claims settle on average about 12 months after they're lodged, and complex claims can take two years or more. Lawyers often wait until your condition has stabilised before settling.
