Woman sues City of Gold Coast for $400K after alleged fall at Broadwater Parklands

A southeast Queensland woman claims she has been left with lifelong injuries after slipping on the Porch Stage while seeking shelter during inclement weather. Here’s what she alleges.

The Porch Stage at Broadwater Parklands. Picture: Alex Treacy

A woman is suing the City of Gold Coast for almost $400,000, alleging she has been left with lifelong injuries after slipping on a stage at Broadwater Parklands while sheltering from the rain.

The 42-year-old Beenleigh woman, who we’ve agreed not to name following a request from her lawyer, filed a damages claim against the council in the Southport District Court on April 23.

According to her statement of claim, her alleged fall occurred at the Porch Stage on February 24, 2023.

The woman said on the day in question, she and a friend were walking through the parklands when, due to increasing rain, she left the pathway and sought shelter under the covered section of the Porch Stage.

She claimed that on reaching the polished concrete portion of the stage, which was wet due to the rainfall, she “slipped, which caused her feet to move forward from underneath her, and her body to fall backward”.

The Porch Stage at Broadwater Parklands. Picture: Alex Treacy

The woman said her head struck the concrete “with force,” leading to a head injury, cervical spine injury, and the aggravation of a pre-existing psychological condition.

She alleged she had been left with symptoms including persistent neck pain, disturbed sleep, reduced range of motion in her neck, irritability and mood changes, significant headaches, memory deficits, concentration difficulties, slowed and difficulties finding the right word, confusion, sensitivity to light, dizziness, anxiety when walking over wet surfaces, and emotional distress.

According to her claim, the council negligently breached its duty of care to her in that it ought to have provided a safe, non-slip floor surface for the stage; provided warnings to the public regarding hazards on the stage and the risk of slipping; and directed the closure of the stage due to the rain.

The Porch Stage at Broadwater Parklands. Picture: Alex Treacy

She claimed the stage had received a P3 slip rating (on a scale of 1–5), which indicated a moderate risk of slipping, whereas Australian standards required external pedestrian surfaces to achieve a P4 rating.

The woman alleged the council knew, or ought to have known, the wet stage posed a risk to the public.

According to her claim, she had been preparing to re-enter the workforce following several years off due to the Covid-19 pandemic and mental health difficulties; however, her plans had been thwarted due to the alleged injuries.

“As a consequence of the incident and her injuries, the plaintiff has been unable to continue in her endeavours to return to work, particularly due to her memory and cognitive deficits, her significant headaches, her confusion, her dizziness and her physical symptomatology,” the claim stated.

“The plaintiff has attempted to mitigate her loss by engaging in some work, however, found it unsustainable due to her ongoing difficulties.”

The total amount sought by the woman by way of damages is $397,200, plus interest and costs.

The claim includes $250,000 for lost future earning capacity.

The council is yet to file its defence. It declined to comment when contacted by this masthead.

Originally published as Woman sues City of Gold Coast for $400K after alleged fall at Broadwater Parklands