Cairns v Woolworths Limited

Elizabeth Cairns commenced proceedings against Woolworths Limited, Lend Lease Property Management Australia Pty Limited, Perpetual Trustee Company Limited and Deli Planet Pty Limited seeking damages for personal injuries she sustained in a slip and fall incident. The trial commenced on 19 April 2004 and concluded on 12 November 2004. Cairns was awarded damages against Woolworths Limited and Lend Lease Property Management Australia Pty Limited. In addition, Lend Lease Property Management Australia Pty Limited was awarded indemnity from SSL Support Services Pty Limited, the cleaning contractor, in the sum of $170,667. Deli Planet Pty Limited was found not liable. Cairns suffered injuries in two separate incidents. The first incident was a slip and fall in the Woden Plaza shopping centre. The second incident occurred at work, when Cairns was required to carry cash register drawers and trolleys and clean the cash register area. Cairns was awarded damages in respect of the shopping centre incident in the sum of $512,000. Cairns was also awarded damages in respect of the incident at work in the sum of $36,000.