No, the Road Accident Fund (RAF) only compensates for injuries to drivers, passengers, or pedestrians caused by someone else’s negligence. It does not cover vehicle damage or personal belongings, such as clothes or watches, damaged in the accident.
If your vehicle or property was damaged, you must
* Claim directly from the negligent driver responsible for the accident, or
* Claim from the driver’s private insurance (if they are insured).
If you have your own insurance—like comprehensive or third-party cover—you can claim for your losses from your insurance company. If you cause the accident, your insurer can also pay out for damages caused to others.
Since not all vehicles on the road are insured, it’s important to consider purchasing insurance to protect yourself in such situations.

You may have a claim against the police if their actions have caused you harm, such as unlawful arrest, assault, or other misconduct. Instead of filing a complaint, many people are choosing to sue the police for damages in court for the following reasons
* If successful, you receive financial compensation.
* It can discourage similar misconduct from happening again.
* Complaints against the police often result in little to no action.
In 2012, it was revealed in Parliament that the SAPS contingent liability had quadrupled to R20 billion, largely due to civil claims. Many believe the police are defending cases they cannot win and unnecessarily contesting matters that could be settled out of court.
If you believe you have a valid claim against the police, seeking legal advice is essential to protect your rights and pursue fair compensation.

To successfully claim from the Road Accident Fund, it’s crucial to gather all the necessary supporting documents and complete the official RAF forms correctly.

Documents Required
*Police report and case number
*Personal details and those of other parties involved
*Medical reports proving injuries sustained
*Expert reports (legal/medical) and witness statements
*Photos and reports of vehicle damage or other accident-related evidence

Key RAF Forms

1. RAF 1 – Prescribed Claim Form
   Provides details of the claimant, accident, vehicles involved, and the compensation amounts being claimed. It must be accompanied by
   • A medical report from the treating doctor
   • Affidavits detailing the accident, witness statements, police reports, and medical records
2. RAF 3 – Accident Report Form
   All drivers involved must complete this form, providing details of the accident and witness information as required by the RAF.
3. RAF 4 – Serious Injury Assessment Report
   For claims involving general damages, the RAF 4 form must prove that the injury is serious enough to warrant compensation for pain and suffering.
    

Submitting Your Claim
Once you have all the required documents and completed the forms, submit hard copies to the RAF. Faxed submissions must also be followed by hard copies, as emailed documents are not accepted.

The RAF will review your claim to determine its validity, assess the merits, and calculate damages. Ensure all forms are correctly completed and keep copies of all submissions for your records. Contact our offices and we will assist you with this claim from beginning to end

If you are injured due to negligence in a shopping centre, liability doesn’t fall only on the store or shopping centre owners. The legal duty of care can extend to store tenants, business owners, property managers, mall operators, cleaning companies, merchandisers, and centre management. Each party is responsible for ensuring a safe environment for customers.

To succeed in a delictual claim, your lawyer must prove the following
* The action of the other person was wrongful because it caused harm to you or your property.
* The person acted negligently or intentionally (was at fault).
* You suffered a loss that can be given a monetary value (referred to as damages).
* The monetary loss was directly caused by the actions of the negligent person.
If these elements are proven, your case will have a strong foundation for success. For assistance with your claim, contact us for expert legal advice

You may have a medical malpractice claim if  

1. The doctor did not obtain consent from a parent or guardian, making their actions unlawful. This applies regardless of the treatment outcome unless it was an emergency under the doctrine of necessity.  
2. The doctor provided treatment with consent but failed to exercise reasonable care, causing you harm. To succeed, you must prove that the doctor’s lack of care directly led to your injury.  

Not every mistake is considered negligence. The law acknowledges that even a careful doctor may make an error in judgment, administer incorrect treatment, or perform an operation that results in harm. In such cases, no claim can be made.  

You can also claim damages if a doctor, nurse, or hospital staff member causes injury through **negligence**. Hospitals can be held liable for employees' wrongful actions, provided they were acting within the scope of their employment at the time. Many doctors carry malpractice insurance to cover such claims.  

If you believe you have a case for medical malpractice, seek professional legal advice to understand your rights and options.