Best and Anor v West Morton Regional Health Auth

The case of Best and Anor v West Morton Regional Health Authority involved the plaintiff, Mrs Frances Caroline Mary Best, who was employed as a receptionist at a hospital conducted by the defendant, West Morton Regional Health Authority. The plaintiff claimed damages for injuries sustained during an armed robbery at the hospital in June 1993. The court was required to decide the extent of the plaintiff's present symptoms, prognosis, and the appropriate compensation for her injuries, including pain, suffering, loss of amenity, economic loss, and domestic assistance.

The court found that the plaintiff suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the incident and awarded damages accordingly. The court considered the plaintiff's age, the severity of her injuries, and the likelihood of her recovery with appropriate treatment. The court awarded $37,500 for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity, with $20,000 apportioned to past loss. The court also awarded $85,000 for past economic loss and $111,000 for future economic loss. Additionally, the court awarded $7,000 for past domestic assistance and $3,000 for future domestic assistance.

The court further addressed the issue of interest on the award. The court considered the payments made under the Workers' Compensation Act 1990 and decided that they should be applied against the award for economic loss to avoid double indemnity against inflation. The court awarded interest on the remaining amounts at appropriate rates, resulting in a total award of $286,603.03. After deducting the amount directly paid by the defendant by election, the court entered judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $225,040.02.