Griffiths v Alcatel Australia Limited

The appeal concerned a claim for workers' compensation brought by the applicant, Mr. Griffiths, against his employer, Alcatel Australia Limited. The dispute arose from an injury sustained by Mr. Griffiths, and the central question before the Court of Appeal was whether the injury was compensable under the *Workers Compensation Act 1987* (NSW), specifically in light of provisions relating to the voluntary consumption of alcohol.

The Court of Appeal was required to determine whether the Compensation Court Judge had erred in law in finding that the applicant's injury was not compensable. This involved considering the application of sections 10(1B) and 10(1C) of the *Workers Compensation Act 1987*, which address circumstances where an injury may not be compensable if it arises from the voluntary consumption of alcohol. The core legal issue was whether the alcohol consumed by the applicant was taken voluntarily in a manner that disentitled him to compensation.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal with costs.