Jurox Pty Ltd v Fullick

[2016] NSWCA 180

Court of Appeal

Supreme Court

New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation:

Jurox Pty Ltd v Fullick [2016] NSWCA 180

Hearing dates:

28 October 2015

Decision date:

29 July 2016

Before:

Leeming JA at [1]; Simpson JA at [22]; Rothman J at [120]

Decision:

(1)  Appeal dismissed;

 (2)  Appellant to pay the respondent’s costs of the appeal.

Catchwords:

TORTS – negligence – personal injury – respondent injured while working at premises occupied by appellant and at direction of appellant – respondent not employed by appellant – system of work not unsafe – failure by respondent to work in accordance with system as designed – failure of appellant to supervise implementation of system – breach of duty – whether primary judge failed to make findings of fact regarding appellant’s breach of duty – Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 75A(6) – inadequacy of supervision – no formalised system of supervision

 

TORTS – negligence – causation – Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), s 5D – risk of harm to respondent from lifting bags of dextrose was foreseeable and not insignificant – harm could have been avoided through adequate supervision

 

TORTS – negligence – contributory negligence – failure of primary judge to address plea of contributory negligence – power of Court of Appeal to determine plea of contributory negligence – Najdovski v Crnojlovic [2008] NSWCA 175; 72 NSWLR 728 – respondent not liable in contributory negligence

 

WORKERS COMPENSATION – joint tortfeasors – Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), s 151Z(2) – whether s 151Z(2) applied – respondent’s employer not a joint tortfeasor – appellant not entitled to reduction under s 151Z(2)(c) – appeal against liability dismissed

  DAMAGES – challenge to assessment of damages – cause of respondent’s ongoing symptoms – whether primary judge erred in finding that respondent’s injury constituted a serious aggravation of pre-existing degenerative condition in respondent’s lumbar spine – aggravation of pre-existing condition serious not temporary – appeal against damages dismissed

Legislation Cited:

Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 5B, 5D, 5R
Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), ss 75A(6), 75A(10)
Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 151H, 151Z

Cases Cited:

Forstaff Blacktown Pty Ltd v Brimac Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 423; Aust Torts Reports 81-814
Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 8; 101 CLR 298
Maricic v Dalma Formwork (Australia) Pty Ltd [2006] NSWCA 174
Najdovski v Crnojlovic [2008] NSWCA 175; 72 NSWLR 728
Podrebersek v Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 34; 59 ALR 529
Pollard v Baulderstone Hornibrook Engineering Pty Ltd [2008] NSWCA 99; Aust Torts Reports 81-949
Shoalhaven City Council v Humphries [2013] NSWCA 390

Category:

Principal judgment

Parties:

Jurox Pty Ltd (Appellant)
Sandra Bernadette Fullick (Respondent)

Representation:

Counsel:
J E Sexton SC/D P O’Dowd (Appellant)
C Hart/S McMahon (Respondent)

  Solicitors:
Kennedys Law (Appellant)
Bale Boshev Lawyers (Respondent)

File Number(s):

2015/126713

 Decision under appeal 

Court or tribunal:

District Court

Date of Decision:

02 April 2015

Before:

Mahony DCJ

File Number(s):

2013/281724

Judgment

1. LEEMING JA: I have had the advantage of reading…