Third-Party Liability Claim
Customer slipped in your shop? Visitor injured at your event? Product caused damage? The single most important rule: do not admit liability.
First-hour rules
- Provide first aid and call 999 if injury is serious
- Take photos of the scene, the hazard and the injury
- Collect witness names and contact numbers
- Notify LSC and your insurer the same day
- Do not admit fault or liability verbally or in writing
- Do not offer payment, refunds or apologies that imply guilt
- Do not sign any document the claimant presents on the spot
- Do not negotiate directly — let the insurer's lawyers respond
Claim flow chart
From incident to discharge — six clear stages.
Help the injured person, secure the area, and do NOT admit liability — anything you say can be used against the insurer.
Photograph the scene, retain CCTV footage, log witness details, and keep faulty equipment for later inspection.
Submit the incident report to LSC without delay. Notifications made more than 14 days after the incident must include a written reason — unexplained late notification can prejudice the insurer's investigation and lead to a denied claim. Forward any letter of demand, writ or solicitor's letter unopened — never respond directly.
Insurer appoints loss adjuster / solicitor to investigate liability and quantum. You provide statements and documents only through us.
Most claims settle out of court. If sued, the insurer's appointed lawyers defend you — defence costs are covered under the policy.
Insurer pays the agreed damages (or court award) plus legal costs. You sign a discharge to close the file.
Document checklist
Common questions
What if the claimant sues me directly?+
Forward the writ to us as soon as possible — unopened is fine. The court only gives 14 days to file the Acknowledgement of Service, so any delay leaves the insurer's defence lawyers very little time to respond.
Does my Public Liability cover legal defence costs?+
Yes — defence costs are paid by the insurer in addition to the policy limit on most HK PL/Product Liability policies. We confirm the exact wording in your schedule.
Should I apologise to the injured person?+
You can express sympathy ('I'm sorry this happened') but never admit fault ('I'm sorry it was our fault'). When in doubt, say nothing about liability and call us.