Bova v Locke

The appeal in *Bova v Locke* concerned an assessment of damages for personal injury. The appellant, Bova, had been awarded damages in the District Court following a finding of negligence against the respondent, Locke. Bova appealed this assessment, specifically challenging the quantum of general damages and future economic loss awarded.

The primary legal issues before the Court of Appeal were whether the District Court judge erred in their assessment of general damages and future economic loss. This involved a review of the evidence presented at trial and the application of established principles for calculating these heads of damage in personal injury claims.

The Court of Appeal considered the evidence relating to Bova's injuries and their impact on his capacity to earn an income. The judges applied the principles governing the assessment of general damages, which require consideration of pain, suffering, and loss of amenity, and the principles for assessing future economic loss, which involve estimating lost earning capacity. After reviewing the evidence and the District Court's findings, the Court of Appeal found no error in the assessment made by the primary judge.

Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, and Bova was ordered to pay Locke's costs.