Do victims of terrorism have a right to claim injury compensation?
Sadly since 9/11, terrorism is now a more regular occurrence in our world.
Several customers have asked us as personal injury lawyers, if they would have a right to claim some compensation to help support themselves should a similar attack happen locally and they were injured.
A complex situation, but can attack victims claim compensation & damages? The answer to this question is, “yes”.
However, just like anyone who suffers injury or loss from such an event, what type of compensation you would be entitled to claim, would very much depend on the circumstances of the attack and those surrounding it…
Can I get accident injury compensation?
Domestic terrorism and victims of crime claims
Victims of crime are entitled to compensation in Australia pursuant to legislation enacted to allow people injured or who suffer the loss of loved ones due to a criminal act, to receive some monetary payment for their injury or loss, and this includes acts of terrorism.
Acts of domestic terrorism fall within the State domain and hence any claim falls within the Victims of Crime legislation for the State where the attack occurs. In Queensland, that legislation is the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009.
There is however lobbying underway at the present time to introduce funding from the Federal Government to assist victims of domestic terrorism in Australia, given the limited awards that apply under the State schemes.
Unfortunately, as indicated above, Victims of Crime compensation payments are usually not very substantial and will of course never provide proper compensation for the actual loss and damage suffered, but then no sum of money normally will.
Motor vehicle accident claims
Some involved in the conversation thought that there could possibly be motor vehicle accident claims or Compulsory Third Party (CTP) claims for victims of a truck rampaging through a crowd, as occurred in the more recent attack in France. Unfortunately however, in Queensland, this is not the case.
If my friend’s husband was injured or killed by a truck that was out of control due to the negligence of its driver or repairer, and there was no terrorism involved, then yes her husband would be able to make a claim for his injuries. And if the accident resulted in fatality, then my friend and her children, would have motor accident claims for the loss of monetary support because of her husband’s death. This is called a “Dependency Claim”.
Any person depending on the monetary support or gratuitous services of another, has a right to claim for the monetary loss sustained by losing that support in the future, and for the loss of the services they were being provided with by their loved one, in the case of wrongful death.
And it would be very likely that my friend, and possibly her children, depending on whether they were of an age to understand what had occurred or if they had witnessed the traumatic event, would have a right to claim for “Nervous Shock”.
Nervous shock is a psychological injury that can be sustained upon experiencing a traumatising event involving a loved one, such as witnessing the serious injury or death of a loved one in an accident or where one is told of the sudden and untimely death or serious, life threatening injury of a close relative in an accident.
A personal injury claim can be made for suffering Nervous Shock because of the wrongful death or life threatening injuries of another – where the injury or fatality arises due to the negligent, wrongful act or omission of another party.
No Motor vehicle accident claim where the injury or death arises from an act of terrorism
However, in Queensland, where the injury or death arises from an act of terrorism involving a motor vehicle as in the attack in France, then there is no motor vehicle accident claim under CTP insurance.
Acts of terrorism are specifically excluded as a motor accident claim under the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994.
There may be a personal injury claim for a negligent act or omission by police or event organisers etc.
In some circumstances there may be potential personal injury claims against those who have organised the event, had control over the premises where it was being held, or were responsible for security at the event.
E.g. owners or managers of the venue where the attack occurred, police or security engaged to oversee and control the event, or organisers of the event.
If it can be shown that any of these parties failed to take reasonable care that could have avoided or minimised the risk of a terrorist attack, when they were aware or ought to have been aware that such an attack was a real threat, then there may be claims for personal injury and wrongful death (including dependency and nervous shock claims), against those negligent parties.
Injury in the course of employment - workers' compensation and common law claim for work injury
If you were working in the course of employment at the time of these fatalities, then you would most likely have a dependency claim and possibly a claim for Nervous Shock under workers’ compensation legislation in Queensland.
Employers should be aware of the real threat of attacks and a failing to take appropriate action to keep it’s workers safe, could be an entitlement for a staff member to pursue a Common Law damages claim against employers to recover compensation for the loss and damage sustained.
Frequently asked questions
- How much compensation will I receive for my injuries?
- How is past and future economic loss compensation calculated?
- What injury compensation or damages am I entitled to claim for?
- If I go back to work after my injury will this hurt my claim?
- When does my workers' compensation claim come to an end and what happens then?
- How can I find out quickly if I can make a compensation claim?
- What are emotional distress damages in personal injury cases?
- Are there time limits for bringing a claim for injury compensation in Queensland?
- How will my common law claim run and how long will it take?
- Is my compensation or damages payment taxable?
- What care and assistance can be claimed for in a personal injury claim in Queensland?
- Did you know that if you engage a domestic worker in your home, you could be liable to pay compensation if they are injured?
- What if I don't receive a 6% DPI in my Notice of Assessment but I want to sue my employer for my work injuries?
- What's the difference between workers' compensation claim & a common law claim for damages?
- What is a common law claim for damages for work injury in Queensland?
Looking for more? View all our Frequently Asked Questions.
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