Questions to ask a personal injury lawyer in Queensland (2026)
The best questions to ask a personal injury lawyer cover four things: who will run your file, what it will cost, which deadlines apply, and how they will keep you updated. Queensland law also gives you rights to costs disclosure, progress reports and a cooling-off period, so ask how each one works.
Key takeaways
Why your questions matter
A first meeting is your best chance to compare lawyers before you commit. The Legal Services Commission says you can talk to several lawyers before choosing one. It also suggests you prepare by writing down the facts, a timeline and your concerns.
The questions to ask a personal injury lawyer below fall into topics. Each group notes the rights Queensland law gives you, so you can tell whether an answer is complete. For the full selection process, read our guide on how to choose a personal injury lawyer. For fee rules in depth, see our fees guide.
One tip before you start: a lawyer can charge you for the first consultation, the LSC says. So ask about that cost when you book.
Also, take the same list of questions to ask each personal injury lawyer you meet. Asking everyone the same things makes the answers easy to compare.
Questions to ask a personal injury lawyer about experience
Injury claims in Queensland run under different Acts, and each has its own steps. So it makes sense to ask how often the lawyer handles your type of claim. Then ask who will do the day-to-day work. These are often the first questions to ask a personal injury lawyer.
QLS accredits individual solicitors, not firms, as Accredited Specialists. You can check any name on the QLS Register of Solicitors. Our guide What is a QLS Accredited Specialist? explains what the title means.
Questions to ask a personal injury lawyer about fees
Costs cause more confusion than anything else. Fortunately, the law gives you clear rights here. Under LPA s 308, detailed disclosure must cover how the practice calculates costs and an estimate of total costs. It must also cover billing intervals, any interest on overdue costs and who you can contact about costs.
For no win, no fee terms, s 323 requires a written, signed agreement that defines a “successful outcome”. It must also include a cooling-off period of at least 5 clear business days. In addition, s 324 caps uplift fees at 25% of legal costs in litigious matters. Also, s 325 bans fees based on a percentage of your payout.
Questions to ask a personal injury lawyer about deadlines
Each scheme has its own time limits, and some start when you see a lawyer. For example, a CTP notice is due by the earlier of 9 months after the accident and 1 month after you first consult a lawyer, under MAIA s 37. So deadlines are among the most urgent questions to ask a personal injury lawyer at the first meeting.
The LSC also suggests asking “What is the process?” and “How long will it take?”. Be cautious of exact timeframes, though. MAIC says CTP claims vary in how long they take to settle.
Questions to ask a personal injury lawyer about communication and progress
Poor contact is a common reason people later switch lawyers. So agree on how updates will work from the start, and add it to your questions to ask a personal injury lawyer. Under LPA s 317, you can ask for a written report on progress and on costs to date. The costs report is free, while the progress report may carry a reasonable charge.
Under s 315, the practice must also tell you in writing about any substantial change to the costs it disclosed. That applies as soon as reasonably practicable after it becomes aware of the change.
Questions for a personal injury lawyer about offers, settlement and refunds
Most claims end with a settlement rather than a trial. So it helps to ask early how the lawyer will deal with offers. In particular, ask your personal injury lawyer these questions before any offer arrives.
Refunds matter here. Under the 50/50 rule in LPA s 347, refunds such as Centrelink and Medicare come off the settlement before anyone works out the cap on legal costs. Disbursements come off too. As a result, the amount you take home can differ a lot from the headline figure.
Questions for a personal injury lawyer about ending the agreement
It is worth asking how you can leave, even before you sign. Under LPA s 323, a no win, no fee agreement must include a cooling-off period of at least 5 clear business days. During that time, you can end the agreement by written notice.
After the cooling-off period, the agreement itself sets out what happens if you leave. So ask the lawyer to point to that clause and explain it. Our guide on how to change personal injury lawyer mid-claim explains file transfers and unpaid costs.
Questions to ask yourself afterwards
After the meeting, take a moment to reflect. The LSC suggests asking yourself whether you felt comfortable with the lawyer and their advice. Also ask whether you understand what they will do and what it will cost. Finally, check whether they explained who you can complain to if things go wrong.
If an answer was vague, that is useful too. You can go back with follow-up questions, or ask another personal injury lawyer the same thing.
Next, notice any warning signs. A lawyer who guarantees a payout figure, pushes you to sign that day or contacted you first deserves caution. Cold approaches about injury claims are generally illegal in Queensland. Our guide to claim farming explains why. To check reviews and registers, see how to check a lawyer’s reviews and credentials.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
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About the author
Marshall Fenech, Editor
Marshall Fenech is the editor of Compare Personal Injury Lawyer QLD. He researches Queensland personal injury law firms and claim rules, checks every fact against public sources such as the Queensland Law Society, MAIC, WorkCover Queensland and Queensland legislation, and dates each check. He does not give legal advice.
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