Fuller v Australian Capital Territory

SUPREME COURT OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

COURT OF APPEAL

Case Title:

Fuller v Australian Capital Territory

Citation: 

[2024] ACTCA 19

Hearing Date: 

22 August 2023

Decision Date: 

5 July 2024

Before:

McCallum CJ, Baker and Taylor JJ

Decision: 

(1)    The appeal is allowed. 

(2)    Set aside the orders made on 22 December 2022.

(3)    In lieu thereof, order that judgment be entered for the appellant.

(4)    Remit the proceedings to the Supreme Court for an assessment of damages on the basis that the scope of liability includes radiculopathy.

Catchwords: 

APPEAL – NEGLIGENCE – Medical Negligence – Appeal from the Supreme Court – anaesthetist – where a spinal needle used to administer spinal anaesthetic in a planned caesarean section broke – whether the primary judge erred in relying on a witness’ evidence to make certain factual findings – whether the spinal needle should have been replaced before further attempts – whether the primary judge erroneously applied s 5O of the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) – whether the failed administration of the anaesthetic caused the appellant’s injuries – assessment of the primary judge’s factual findings – consideration of the primary judge’s use of the expert evidence – appeal allowed – matter remitted to the Supreme Court for assessment of damages

Legislation Cited: 

Civil Law (Wrongs) Act 2002 (ACT), ss 42, 43, 44

Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), s 5O

Supreme Court Act 1933 (ACT), s 37E

Cases Cited: 

Austen v Tran [2023] ACTCA 44

Australian Capital Territory v Crowley [2012] ACTCA 52; 7 ACTLR 142

Cornwall v Jenkins as Trustee for the iSpin Family Trust [2020] ACTCA 2; 15 ACTLR 233

DeVries v Australian National Railways Commission [1993] HCA 78; 177 CLR 472

Fox v Percy [2003] HCA 22; 214 CLR 118

Fuller v Australian Capital Territory [2022] ACTSC 361

Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 8; 101 CLR 298

Rogers v Whitaker [1992] HCA 58; 175 CLR 479

Rosenberg v Percival [2001] HCA 18; 205 CLR 434

Sydney Water Corporation v Turano [2009] HCA 42; 239 CLR 51

Warren v Coombes [1979] HCA 9; 142 CLR 531

Waugh v Kippen [1986] HCA 12; 160 CLR 156

Wyong Shire Council v Shirt [1980] HCA 12; 146 CLR 40

Parties: 

Bronwyn Fuller (Appellant)

Australian Capital Territory (Respondent)

Representation: 

Counsel

R McIlwaine SC with D Richards (Appellant)

M Fordham SC with S McCarthy (Respondent)

Solicitors

United Legal (Appellant)

ACT Government Solicitor (Respondent)

File Number:

ACTCA 4 of 2023

Decision Under Appeal: 

Court:  ACT Supreme Court

Before:   Robinson AJ

Date of Decision:        22 December 2022

Case Title:  Fuller v Australian Capital Territory

Citation:  [2022] ACTSC 361

Court File Number:     SC 299 of 2021

THE COURT:

Introduction

1․On 14 February 2020, the appellant, Bronwyn Fuller, was administered spinal anaesthetic for the purposes of a planned caesarean section at The Canberra Hospital.  During the procedure, the spinal needle being used to administer the anaesthetic broke into two pieces, with one piece remaining in the appellant’s…