Smith’s Lawyers Blog

Latest articles and news

News, insights and resources for Queensland road safety, work safety and accident recovery. Browse our latest articles or select a category of interest below.

Construction workers practising workplace safety in Australia

Building the Story Bridge: How Workplace Safety Has Moved On

Evolution of Workplace Safety in Australia, comparing modern practices to the past.
Katherine McCallum
March 9, 2024
March 9, 2024
an image of a human brain showing a brain implant

Brain Implants: The Miracle Cure?

Revolutionary brain implants show promise in restoring mobility, but is it ethical?
Katherine McCallum
March 1, 2024
March 1, 2024
Australian construction workers working outside on a high rise building in the sun

Australia’s Most Dangerous Occupations

What are Australia's most dangerous jobs?
Katherine McCallum
February 22, 2024
February 22, 2024
dashboard of a semi autonomous vehicles with a person driving

Semi-Autonomous Vehicles: Enhancing Road Safety or Paving the Way for New Risks?

Are semi-autonomous vehicles safer than regular cars?
Katherine McCallum
February 19, 2024
February 19, 2024
cyclist riding a bicycle along the road in the sun

Global Innovations in Road Safety: Protecting Vulnerable Users

Explore global road safety strategies making a difference for vulnerable users.
Katherine McCallum
February 12, 2024
February 12, 2024
Meat Processing factory from overhead

Work Safety Guide for Meat Processing Workers: Identifying and Addressing Safety Concerns

We highlight the inherent risks in the meat processing industry.
Katherine McCallum
February 5, 2024
February 5, 2024
tradesperson working outside in the heat in Australia

Beating the Heat: Navigating Workplace Safety in Queensland's Hot Weather

Queensland's scorching summer poses health risks for workers.
Katherine McCallum
February 5, 2024
February 5, 2024
man caring for his injured loved one as she is in a wheelchair

Supporting a Loved One Injured in an Accident

Discover vital insights for supporting a loved one after an accident.
Katherine McCallum
February 2, 2024
February 2, 2024
child and mother walking along a zebra crossing to show they are following road safety rules

Is Australia's Vision Zero Plan for Road Safety by 2050 Achievable?

Can Australia succeed in eliminating road fatalities in less than 30 years?
Katherine McCallum
January 31, 2024
January 31, 2024
Carpenter hard at work
Workplace Injuries

Can Casual Workers Claim Workers' Compensation?

While casuals aren't entitled to sick or leave pay, they are entitled to workers' compensation.
Peta Miller
November 22, 2021
November 22, 2021
Subcontractor
Workplace Injuries

Subcontractors and Insurance: What You Need to Know

Are subcontractors responsible for their own workers' compensation insurance? Read on to find out.
Peta Miller
November 8, 2021
November 8, 2021
Celebrating teachers on World Teachers Day
Workplace Injuries

Teachers and their rights at work in Queensland

Did you know about 70% of teachers claim to have experienced bullying and abuse from students?
Peta Miller
October 29, 2021
October 29, 2021
understanding workplace psychological injury and stress claims
Workplace Injuries

Understanding workplace psychological injury & stress claims in Queensland

Psychological injury or stress claims can be considered as workplace injuries.
Peta Miller
October 25, 2021
October 25, 2021
Covid-19 declared work injury for frontline workers
Workplace Injuries

Should COVID-19 be declared a workplace injury for frontline workers?

Should COVID-19 be declared a workplace injury for frontline workers?
Greg Smith
October 14, 2021
October 14, 2021
Construction worker advocates for workplace health and safety for Safe Work Month
Workplace Injuries

Safe work is everyone's responsibility

Every two days in Australia, someone will die from a work-related injury or illness.
Greg Smith
October 1, 2021
October 1, 2021
Man with broken leg on couch
Workplace Injuries

Why you should always use your own doctor after a work injury

Doctors are key decision-makers in your claim journey, so make sure they're on your side.
Peta Miller
August 26, 2021
August 26, 2021
Lady with a hard hat wiping oil off hands
Workplace Injuries

The importance of keeping tradies safe on the job

Tradies represent more than half of Australia's serious workers' comp claims each year.
Greg Smith
August 16, 2021
August 16, 2021
Man filing his taxes
Workplace Injuries

WorkCover & Tax: Everything you need to know

Do you have to pay tax on your weekly or lump-sum settlement from WorkCover?
Peta Miller
August 2, 2021
August 2, 2021
Man in rental with leaking roof
Public Liability

What to do if you're injured in your rental home

It's more important now than ever to know your rights as a tenant, especially safety at home.
Peta Miller
July 13, 2021
July 13, 2021
Child riding scooter on footpath
Public Liability

Misconceptions about public liability claims

Did you know you don't have to be injured in a public place to be covered by public liability?
Peta Miller
March 9, 2021
March 9, 2021
Person riding electric scooter
Public Liability

When E-Scooters Crash, Who Is To Blame?

How safe are electric scooters, and who gets the blame when something goes wrong?
Peta Miller
April 15, 2019
April 15, 2019
Lawyers Insights by Peta Miller
Legal Interest

How has COVID-19 impacted assessment of economic loss?

How has COVID-19 impacted assessment of economic loss?
Peta Miller
February 22, 2021
February 22, 2021
Photo collage
Legal Interest

Legal Eagles to Follow in 2020

Legal Eagles to Follow in 2020
Greg Smith
March 13, 2020
March 13, 2020
Image of client
Legal Interest

Family statement regarding coronial inquest into death of Renae Jean Mann

Family statement regarding coronial inquest into death of Renae Jean Mann
Amanda Edwards
November 9, 2017
November 9, 2017
Smartwatch technology
Legal Interest

How Wearable Technology is Making It’s Way into the Courtroom

How Wearable Technology is Making It’s Way into the Courtroom
Peta Miller
December 16, 2015
December 16, 2015
Law graduates
Legal Interest

Why A Law Degree Doesn’t Make A Lawyer

Why A Law Degree Doesn’t Make A Lawyer
Peta Miller
March 4, 2015
March 4, 2015
Older man holding knee in pain
TPD Insurance

Understanding TPD insurance claims

Have you seen TPD premiums being deducted from your super, but don't know what it is? Read this.
Peta Miller
February 18, 2021
February 18, 2021
Our client Colin was upset after his injury claim was rejected
Client Stories

Sacked, rejected and at the end of his rope: Colin's story

Colin thought it was all over after his work injury was repeatedly rejected. He shares his story.
Peta Miller
September 3, 2021
September 3, 2021
Alex on his motorbike
Client Stories

Back on his bike with a new perspective: Alex’s Story

Alex was glad he sought professional help after he was thrown off his motorbike on his way home.
Peta Miller
July 21, 2021
July 21, 2021
Our client Kathy
Client Stories

Hit by a car at 70km/hr: Kathy’s story

Our client Kathy was hit by a car travelling 70km/hr while crossing the road.
Peta Miller
February 5, 2021
February 5, 2021
Our client Adrian and his dog
Client Stories

It was nice to be believed: Adrian’s story

It took almost two years, but Adrian finally got what he wanted: proof that he wasn’t lying.
Peta Miller
February 5, 2021
February 5, 2021
Pedestrian v Motorist
Car & Road Injuries

Pedestrian v Motorist: What You Need to Know

Pedestrian v motorist claims are on the rise in Queensland, here is what you need to know.
Peta Miller
November 2, 2021
November 2, 2021
Pedestrian crossing road in front of car
Car & Road Injuries

Pedestrian vs motorists: Who's at fault?

If a pedestrian isn't using the road safely, is the driver still at fault?
Peta Miller
November 1, 2021
November 1, 2021
Women taking a phone call while driving
Car & Road Injuries

Leave the phone alone: Distracted driving, a growing problem

Driving distracted has resulted in hundreds of Queensland fatalities over the past five years.
Peta Miller
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
Dash cam
Car & Road Injuries

Survey finds 70% of Qld drivers want dash cams to be mandatory

Support for mandatory dash cams is strong. Could it soon be compulsory to have one in your car?
Peta Miller
May 19, 2021
May 19, 2021
Man cycling in Brisbane streets
Car & Road Injuries

Roads are getting safer, so why are cyclist deaths increasing?

Cyclists were the only road user to see an increase in road deaths in the past decade.
Peta Miller
May 19, 2021
May 19, 2021
Car crash at night
Car & Road Injuries

National Road Safety Week: The reality of Australia's road toll

Each year about 1,200 people are killed and another 44,000 are seriously injured.
Peta Miller
May 16, 2021
May 16, 2021
Road signs
Car & Road Injuries

10 of the most forgotten road rules in Queensland

We all know that speeding and drink driving are bad, but what about these Queensland road rules?
Peta Miller
April 16, 2021
April 16, 2021
Tired, fatigued driver
Car & Road Injuries

Wake up: Queensland drivers ignoring fatigue advice

50 per cent of drivers are still ignoring the advice to take a break every 2 hours on long trips.
Peta Miller
March 25, 2021
March 25, 2021
Man driving car
Car & Road Injuries

Who am I suing after a road accident?

The answers we hear vary from the other driver, the local council, or their comprehensive insurer.
Peta Miller
March 9, 2021
March 9, 2021
Two people nervous sitting down
General

Chronic pain: survival guide for partners and family

Those who care for people living with chronic pain play a vital role in effective pain management.
Peta Miller
October 12, 2021
October 12, 2021
Person taking photo of people from car
General

Everything you need to know about insurance surveillance

How far can insurance investigators go? What is legal? What should you do if you're being watched?
Peta Miller
August 6, 2021
August 6, 2021
Media release
General

Media release: Law firm calls for more action on worker fatalities

We encourage employers and employees to take a proactive stance on improving workplace safety.
Peta Miller
April 28, 2021
April 28, 2021
Man building a house
General

Can I claim WorkCover, TPD and Income Protection at the same time?

True or false: You can't claim other benefits if you already have one type of compensation?
Peta Miller
April 5, 2021
April 5, 2021
People comforting each other
General

Why it's important to protect your mental health after injury

After an injury, it's important to recover physically — as is taking care of your mental health.
Peta Miller
September 4, 2020
September 4, 2020
Man meditating at sunset
General

5 Free Apps to Help with Anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD)

Here are some apps to help your mental health after an incident or accident.
Peta Miller
March 30, 2020
March 30, 2020
Person at computer with antler headband
General

Not Everybody Gets a Break: Working Through the Holidays

If you’re one of those who keeps working through the holiday season, be careful.
Peta Miller
December 20, 2019
December 20, 2019
Tradies sitting at a worksite
General

The Ultimate A-Z Tradie Dictionary

Tradies have their own special language, so it's only fitting they have their own dictionary.
Peta Miller
October 9, 2019
October 9, 2019
Construction workers in hi-vis
General

A Safety Guide For Young Workers In Trade

Read our tips on how young workers can safely navigate their way around a new workplace.
Amanda Edwards
April 30, 2019
April 30, 2019

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