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Moussa v Confoy

Moussa v Confoy

Case [2015] NSWDC 103 30 June 2015

Negligence

Contributory Negligence

Causation

Compensatory Damages

Tort Law

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District Court

New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Moussa v Confoy [2015] NSWDC 103
Hearing dates: 4, 5, 6, 19, 25 May 2015
Date of orders: 30 June 2015
Decision date: 30 June 2015
Jurisdiction: Civil
Before: Levy SC DCJ
Decision:
1.   Verdict and judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of $731,095 ;

2.   The defendant is to pay the plaintiff’s costs on the ordinary basis unless otherwise ordered;

3.   The exhibits may be returned;
4.   Liberty to apply on 7 days notice if further or other orders are required.
Catchwords: TORTS – negligence – motor vehicle accident – admission of negligence – whether contributory negligence; DAMAGES – assessment of claimed heads of damage in context of other non-compensable injuries – whether aggravation injuries occurred – whether all of plaintiff’s claimed disabilities were caused by the subject accident – s 5D of the Civil Liability Act 2002
Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002, s 5D
Civil Procedure Act 2005, s 58
Evidence Act 1995, s 60
Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999, s 83, s 126, s 134, s 141B
Cases Cited:
Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr [2012] NSWCA 13
Aon Risk Services Australia Limited v Australian National University [2009] HCA 27
Arian v Nguyen [2001] NSWCA 15
Boral Bricks Pty Ltd v Cosmidis; Boral Bricks Pty Ltd v DM & BP Wiskich Pty Ltd [2013] NSWCA 443
Brown v Petranker [1991] 22 NSWLR 717
Cupac v Cannone [2015] NSWCA 114
Daw v Toyworld (NSW) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 25
Girlock (Sales) Pty Ltd v Hurrell [1982] HCA 15; (1982) 149 CLR 155
Holloway v McFeeters [1956] HCA 25; (1956) 94 CLR 470
Hunt v Knight Frank (NSW) Pty Ltd & Ors [2005] NSWCA 139
Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 8; (1959) 101 CLR 298
Kentwell v The Queen [2014] HCA 37
Larson v Commissioner of Police [2004] NSWCA 126
Luxton v Vines [1952] HCA 19
Majkic v Bonnano [2008] NSWCA 253
Manley v Alexander [2005] HCA 79; (2005) 223 ALR 228
Manly Municipal Council v Skene [2002] NSWCA 385
Mt Isa Mines Ltd v Pusey [1970] HCA 60; (1970) 125 CLR 383
Paul v Cooke [2013] NSWCA 311
Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201
Purkess v Crittenden [1965] HCA 34; (1965) 114 CLR 164
Sampco Pty Ltd v Wurth [2015] NSWCA 117
Shoalhaven City Council v Humphries [2013] NSWCA 390
Smith v NSWBA [1992] HCA 35; (1992) 176 CLR 256
State of NSW v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133, (2000) 54 NSWLR 536
Strinic v Singh [2009] NSWCA 15
Strong v Woolworths Ltd [2012] HCA 5
Urban Transport Authority v Nweiser [1992] 28 NSWLR 47
Watson v Foxman (1995) 49 NSWLR 315
Watts v Rake [1953] HCA 18; (1953) 89 CLR 200
Category: Principal judgment
Parties: Salaah Moussa (Plaintiff)
Raymond Confoy (Defendant)
Representation:
Counsel:
Mr T Boyd (Plaintiff)
Mr D Williams (Plaintiff on 25 May 2015)
Mr J Turnbull (Defendant)
Mr W Reynolds (Defendant on 25 May 2015)

Grounds of appeal

[14] The appellant contends that the primary judge erred in finding that the respondent had discharged the onus of establishing the matters required under the relevant provision.

[15] It was submitted that his Honour failed to give adequate weight to the evidence of the second witness, and that the findings of fact were not reasonably open on the material before the Court.

[16] The respondent, for its part, submits that no error is disclosed, and that the conclusions reached were well within the range of outcomes available to the primary judge.

Consideration

[17] It is convenient to deal first with the question of construction, as the resolution of that issue informs the remaining grounds advanced by the appellant.

[18] For the reasons that follow, we are of the view that the appeal should be allowed in part and the matter remitted for further determination.

Continue reading Moussa v Confoy

Details

AGLC: Moussa v Confoy [2015] NSWDC 103
Case: [2015] NSWDC 103
Decision Date: 30 June 2015

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the matter of Moussa v Confoy, the plaintiff sought damages following a motor vehicle accident in which the defendant was found to have been negligent. The defendant admitted liability, but contested the amount of damages and whether the plaintiff had suffered certain injuries claimed. The case was heard in the District Court of New South Wales. The key issues before the court were whether the plaintiff had suffered from contributory negligence, the extent of the injuries claimed, and the assessment of damages in light of the statutory provisions governing negligence claims in New South Wales.

The court considered whether the plaintiff's pre-existing conditions or other factors had contributed to or exacerbated the injuries claimed. The defendant argued that not all of the plaintiff's claimed disabilities were caused by the accident or were significantly aggravated by it. The court needed to determine if the plaintiff's injuries were a direct result of the accident and if the plaintiff had suffered from any pre-existing conditions that could have contributed to the claimed disabilities. The court also needed to assess the damages claimed by the plaintiff in accordance with section 5D of the Civil Liability Act 2002.

After reviewing the evidence, the court found that the plaintiff had suffered from significant disabilities as a result of the accident and that these disabilities were not merely an exacerbation of pre-existing conditions. The court was satisfied that the plaintiff's claimed disabilities were caused by the accident, and that the defendant's negligence was the primary cause of these disabilities. The court awarded the plaintiff $731,095 in damages, taking into account the statutory provisions for assessing damages in negligence cases. The court also ordered that the defendant pay the plaintiff's costs on the ordinary basis unless otherwise ordered, and that the exhibits could be returned.

Orders

Orders of the court

1. Verdict and judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of $731,095 ;

2. The defendant is to pay the plaintiff’s costs on the ordinary basis unless otherwise ordered;

3. The exhibits may be returned;

4. Liberty to apply on 7 days notice if further or other orders are required.

Background

Background to the litigation

Full text does not contain this section.

Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

Full text does not contain this section.

Decision

Reasons for decision

Full text does not contain this section.

Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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Citations

AGLC Citation

Moussa v Confoy [2015] NSWDC 103

Most Recent Citation

Australian Capital Territory v Crawford [2017] ACTSC 94

Cases citing this decision · 4 of 4 shown

MacMahon Holdings Ltd v McKenzie
[2018] WADC 28

…Watts v Rake [1960] HCA 58; (1960) 108 CLR 158, 160 per Dixon CJ; see also Purkess v Crittenden [1965] HCA 34; (1995) 114 CLR 164 and Moussa v Confoy [2015] NSWDC 103 [471] per Levy SC DCJ). If this becomes necessary and the respondent employer is successful, the applicant worker will not be entitled to any weekly…
Smith v Pangallo
[2017] ACTCA 61 Para 1

…In Moussa v Confoy [2015] NSWDC 103, the plaintiff sustained injuries in a motor vehicle accident in 2009. At the time of trial in 2015 he was 32 years old. The plaintiff had been involved in a number of prior accidents involving injuries to neck, left shoulder, back and right knee, but there was no evidence that h…
Australian Capital Territory v Crawford
[2017] ACTSC 94 Para 1

…[2009] NSWCA 15; 74 NSWLR 419, where the trial judge applied his own personal medical knowledge to the facts of the case (see also Moussa v Confoy [2015] NSWDC 103).…
Murugesu v Australia Post and Anor (No.2)
[2016] FCCA 2355 Para 7

…was deeply distressed by the treatment he received, a matter entirely contrary to the facts in Keenan & Quigley . The same goes for Moussa v Confoy [2015] NSWDC 103 to which counsel also referred. Counsel also referred to the decision of Lucev J in Kanapathy v In De Braekt (No.4) [2013] FCCA 1368 at [48]-[53] but t…

View all 4 citing cases →

Cases cited in this decision · 30 of 30 shown

SampCo Pty Ltd v Wurth
[2015] NSWCA 117 Para 597

…injury-based need for domestic assistance. Recent authority indicates the need for specific evidence to justify such a claim: Sampco Pty Ltd v Wurth [2015] NSWCA 117, at sub-paragraph (b) of [92]; and paragraphs[104] – [105]; Boral Bricks Pty Ltd v Cosmidis; Boral Bricks Pty Ltd v DM & BP Wiskich Pty Ltd [2013] NS…
Cupac v Cannone
[2015] NSWCA 114 Para 11

…idate the key medical issues that were embedded in the evidence given in the proceedings: Majkic v Bonnano [2008] NSWCA 253, at [26]; Cupac v Cannone [2015] NSWCA 114, at [17] – [18].…
Kentwell v The Queen
[2014] HCA 37 Para 32

…lines for the exercise of a discretion where the relevant criteria involves a consideration of the justice of the circumstances: Kentwell v The Queen [2014] HCA 37, at [30].…
Boral Bricks Pty Ltd v Cosmidis
[2013] NSWCA 443 Para 597

…WCA 117, at sub-paragraph (b) of [92]; and paragraphs[104] – [105]; Boral Bricks Pty Ltd v Cosmidis; Boral Bricks Pty Ltd v DM & BP Wiskich Pty Ltd [2013] NSWCA 443, at [97] – [100].…
Shoalhaven City Council v Humphries
[2013] NSWCA 390 Para 13

…ndition: Watts v Rake [1953] HCA 18; (1953) 89 CLR 200; Purkess v Crittenden [1965] HCA 34; (1965) 114 CLR 164; Shoalhaven City Council v Humphries [2013] NSWCA 390, at [87] – [88].…
Paul v Cooke
[2013] NSWCA 311 Para 12

…claimed, and that those injuries are the relevant cause of his claimed ongoing disabilities and his claimed losses: s 5D of the CL Act : Paul v Cooke [2013] NSWCA 311, at [80].…
Strong v Woolworths Ltd
[2012] HCA 5

…92) 176 CLR 256 State of NSW v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133, (2000) 54 NSWLR 536 Strinic v Singh [2009] NSWCA 15 Strong v Woolworths Ltd [2012] HCA 5 Urban Transport Authority v Nweiser [1992] 28 NSWLR 47 Watson v Foxman (1995) 49 NSWLR 315 Watts v Rake [1953] HCA 18; (1953) 89 CLR 200 Category: Principal judgment Par…
Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr
[2012] NSWCA 13 Para 599

…000] NSWCA 133, (2000) 54 NSWLR 536, at [71] and [87]; Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201, at [58]; Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr [2012] NSWCA 13, at [7].…
Aon Risk Services Australia Ltd v Australian National University
[2009] HCA 27 Para 27

…ng full argument on the evidence tendered, that advanced stage has been reached: Aon Risk Services Australia Limited v Australian National University [2009] HCA 27, at [111] – [114].…
Strinic v Singh
[2009] NSWCA 15 Para 14

…trained from drawing conclusions on medical matters without the guidance of expert evidence: Arian v Nguyen [2001] NSWCA 15, at [22], Strinic v Singh [2009] NSWCA 15, at [60].…
Majkic v Bonnano
[2008] NSWCA 253 Para 11

…any medical practitioner to explain or elucidate the key medical issues that were embedded in the evidence given in the proceedings: Majkic v Bonnano [2008] NSWCA 253, at [26]; Cupac v Cannone [2015] NSWCA 114, at [17] – [18].…
Manley v Alexander
[2005] HCA 79

…arson v Commissioner of Police [2004] NSWCA 126 Luxton v Vines [1952] HCA 19 Majkic v Bonnano [2008] NSWCA 253 Manley v Alexander [2005] HCA 79; (2005) 223 ALR 228 Manly Municipal Council v Skene [2002] NSWCA 385 Mt Isa Mines Ltd v Pusey [1970] HCA 60; (1970) 125 CLR 383 Paul v Cooke [2013] NSWCA 311 Penrith Cit…
Hunt v Knight Frank (NSW) Pty Ltd
[2005] NSWCA 139

…l [1982] HCA 15; (1982) 149 CLR 155 Holloway v McFeeters [1956] HCA 25; (1956) 94 CLR 470 Hunt v Knight Frank (NSW) Pty Ltd & Ors [2005] NSWCA 139 Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 8; (1959) 101 CLR 298 Kentwell v The Queen [2014] HCA 37 Larson v Commissioner of Police [2004] NSWCA 126 Luxton v Vines [1952] HCA 19 Majkic v…
Larson v Commissioner of Police
[2004] NSWCA 126

…005] NSWCA 139 Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 8; (1959) 101 CLR 298 Kentwell v The Queen [2014] HCA 37 Larson v Commissioner of Police [2004] NSWCA 126 Luxton v Vines [1952] HCA 19 Majkic v Bonnano [2008] NSWCA 253 Manley v Alexander [2005] HCA 79; (2005) 223 ALR 228 Manly Municipal Council v Skene [2002] NSWCA 385 Mt I…
Penrith City Council v Parks
[2004] NSWCA 201 Para 599

…nce the plaintiff may need such assistance: State of NSW v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133, (2000) 54 NSWLR 536, at [71] and [87]; Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201, at [58]; Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr [2012] NSWCA 13, at [7].…
Manly Municipal Council v Skene
[2002] NSWCA 385 Para 10

…ndue inconvenience to the practitioners and their patients, or would involve disproportionate expense to the parties: Manly Municipal Council v Skene [2002] NSWCA 385, at [22]. This case is not within that category.…
Daw v Toyworld (NSW) Pty Ltd
[2001] NSWCA 25

…kich Pty Ltd [2013] NSWCA 443 Brown v Petranker [1991] 22 NSWLR 717 Cupac v Cannone [2015] NSWCA 114 Daw v Toyworld (NSW) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 25 Girlock (Sales) Pty Ltd v Hurrell [1982] HCA 15; (1982) 149 CLR 155 Holloway v McFeeters [1956] HCA 25; (1956) 94 CLR 470 Hunt v Knight Frank (NSW) Pty Ltd & Ors [2005]…
Skinner v Jeogla Pty Ltd
[2001] NSWCA 15 Para 14

…to resolve such disputes, a court is constrained from drawing conclusions on medical matters without the guidance of expert evidence: Arian v Nguyen [2001] NSWCA 15, at [22], Strinic v Singh [2009] NSWCA 15, at [60].…
State of New South Wales v Moss
[2000] NSWCA 133 Para 599

…damage is by way of a modest buffer amount of $20,000 to reflect the value of the chance the plaintiff may need such assistance: State of NSW v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133, (2000) 54 NSWLR 536, at [71] and [87]; Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201, at [58]; Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr [2012] NSWCA 1…
Watson v Foxman
[1995] NSWCA 497 Para 55

…in dispute to the best of his understanding and ability, subject to the usual considerations that concern the fallibility of memory: Watson v Foxman (1995) 49 NSWLR 315. The reliability of the plaintiff’s evidence on matters of injury, disability and claimed losses, therefore stands to be evaluated against the eviden…
Smith v New South Wales Bar Association
[1992] HCA 36 Para 34

…s not yet been delivered compared to a case where the application had been made after final judgment had been delivered: Smith v NSWBA [1992] HCA 35; (1992) 176 CLR 256, at pages 266 – 267; Urban Transport Authority v Nweiser [1992] 28 NSWLR 47, at pages 478G – 479A.…
Pollitt v The Queen
[1992] HCA 35 Para 34

…nal judgment has not yet been delivered compared to a case where the application had been made after final judgment had been delivered: Smith v NSWBA [1992] HCA 35; (1992) 176 CLR 256, at pages 266 – 267; Urban Transport Authority v Nweiser [1992] 28 NSWLR 47, at pages 478G – 479A.…
Girlock (Sales) Pty Ltd v Hurrell
[1982] HCA 15

…991] 22 NSWLR 717 Cupac v Cannone [2015] NSWCA 114 Daw v Toyworld (NSW) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 25 Girlock (Sales) Pty Ltd v Hurrell [1982] HCA 15; (1982) 149 CLR 155 Holloway v McFeeters [1956] HCA 25; (1956) 94 CLR 470 Hunt v Knight Frank (NSW) Pty Ltd & Ors [2005] NSWCA 139 Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 8; (1959) 10…
Mount Isa Mines Ltd v Pusey
[1970] HCA 60

…53 Manley v Alexander [2005] HCA 79; (2005) 223 ALR 228 Manly Municipal Council v Skene [2002] NSWCA 385 Mt Isa Mines Ltd v Pusey [1970] HCA 60; (1970) 125 CLR 383 Paul v Cooke [2013] NSWCA 311 Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201 Purkess v Crittenden [1965] HCA 34; (1965) 114 CLR 164 Sampco Pty Ltd v W…
Purkess v Crittenden
[1965] HCA 34 Para 13

…tiff’s ongoing knee problems were caused by a pre-existing injury or condition: Watts v Rake [1953] HCA 18; (1953) 89 CLR 200; Purkess v Crittenden [1965] HCA 34; (1965) 114 CLR 164; Shoalhaven City Council v Humphries [2013] NSWCA 390, at [87] – [88].…
Watts v Rake
[1960] HCA 58 Para 610

…ible. Both parties carry an onus of proof in respect of the contentions and counter-contentions in that regard: s 5D of the CL Act : Watts v Rake [1960] HCA 58; (1960) 108 CLR 158, Purkess v Crittenden [1965] HCA 34; (1965) 114 CLR 164.…
Jones v Dunkel
[1959] HCA 8

…155 Holloway v McFeeters [1956] HCA 25; (1956) 94 CLR 470 Hunt v Knight Frank (NSW) Pty Ltd & Ors [2005] NSWCA 139 Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 8; (1959) 101 CLR 298 Kentwell v The Queen [2014] HCA 37 Larson v Commissioner of Police [2004] NSWCA 126 Luxton v Vines [1952] HCA 19 Majkic v Bonnano [2008] NSWCA 253 Ma…
Holloway v McFeeters
[1956] HCA 25

…v Toyworld (NSW) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 25 Girlock (Sales) Pty Ltd v Hurrell [1982] HCA 15; (1982) 149 CLR 155 Holloway v McFeeters [1956] HCA 25; (1956) 94 CLR 470 Hunt v Knight Frank (NSW) Pty Ltd & Ors [2005] NSWCA 139 Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 8; (1959) 101 CLR 298 Kentwell v The Queen [2014] HCA 37 Larson v C…
Watts v Rake
[1953] HCA 18 Para 13

…ions made by the defendant to the effect that the plaintiff’s ongoing knee problems were caused by a pre-existing injury or condition: Watts v Rake [1953] HCA 18; (1953) 89 CLR 200; Purkess v Crittenden [1965] HCA 34; (1965) 114 CLR 164; Shoalhaven City Council v Humphries [2013] NSWCA 390, at [87] – [88].…
Luxton v Vines
[1952] HCA 19

…959] HCA 8; (1959) 101 CLR 298 Kentwell v The Queen [2014] HCA 37 Larson v Commissioner of Police [2004] NSWCA 126 Luxton v Vines [1952] HCA 19 Majkic v Bonnano [2008] NSWCA 253 Manley v Alexander [2005] HCA 79; (2005) 223 ALR 228 Manly Municipal Council v Skene [2002] NSWCA 385 Mt Isa Mines Ltd v Pusey [1970] H…

Legislation cited in this decision · 4

Civil Liability Act 2002 (TAS)
5D 2 mentions (from Para 5)
Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW)
58 2 mentions (from Para 32)
Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW)
83 2 mentions (from Para 5)
Evidence Act 1995 (Cth)
60 1 mention

Medium Neutral Citation:	Moussa v Confoy [2015] NSWDC 103
Hearing dates:	4, 5, 6, 19, 25 May 2015
Date of orders:	30 June 2015
Decision date:	30 June 2015
Jurisdiction:	Civil
Before:	Levy SC DCJ
Decision:	1. Verdict and judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of $731,095 ; 2. The defendant is to pay the plaintiff’s costs on the ordinary basis unless otherwise ordered; 3. The exhibits may be returned; 4. Liberty to apply on 7 days notice if further or other orders are required.
Catchwords:	TORTS – negligence – motor vehicle accident – admission of negligence – whether contributory negligence; DAMAGES – assessment of claimed heads of damage in context of other non-compensable injuries – whether aggravation injuries occurred – whether all of plaintiff’s claimed disabilities were caused by the subject accident – s 5D of the Civil Liability Act 2002
Legislation Cited:	Civil Liability Act 2002, s 5D Civil Procedure Act 2005, s 58 Evidence Act 1995, s 60 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999, s 83, s 126, s 134, s 141B
Cases Cited:	Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr [2012] NSWCA 13 Aon Risk Services Australia Limited v Australian National University [2009] HCA 27 Arian v Nguyen [2001] NSWCA 15 Boral Bricks Pty Ltd v Cosmidis; Boral Bricks Pty Ltd v DM & BP Wiskich Pty Ltd [2013] NSWCA 443 Brown v Petranker [1991] 22 NSWLR 717 Cupac v Cannone [2015] NSWCA 114 Daw v Toyworld (NSW) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 25 Girlock (Sales) Pty Ltd v Hurrell [1982] HCA 15; (1982) 149 CLR 155 Holloway v McFeeters [1956] HCA 25; (1956) 94 CLR 470 Hunt v Knight Frank (NSW) Pty Ltd & Ors [2005] NSWCA 139 Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 8; (1959) 101 CLR 298 Kentwell v The Queen [2014] HCA 37 Larson v Commissioner of Police [2004] NSWCA 126 Luxton v Vines [1952] HCA 19 Majkic v Bonnano [2008] NSWCA 253 Manley v Alexander [2005] HCA 79; (2005) 223 ALR 228 Manly Municipal Council v Skene [2002] NSWCA 385 Mt Isa Mines Ltd v Pusey [1970] HCA 60; (1970) 125 CLR 383 Paul v Cooke [2013] NSWCA 311 Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201 Purkess v Crittenden [1965] HCA 34; (1965) 114 CLR 164 Sampco Pty Ltd v Wurth [2015] NSWCA 117 Shoalhaven City Council v Humphries [2013] NSWCA 390 Smith v NSWBA [1992] HCA 35; (1992) 176 CLR 256 State of NSW v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133, (2000) 54 NSWLR 536 Strinic v Singh [2009] NSWCA 15 Strong v Woolworths Ltd [2012] HCA 5 Urban Transport Authority v Nweiser [1992] 28 NSWLR 47 Watson v Foxman (1995) 49 NSWLR 315 Watts v Rake [1953] HCA 18; (1953) 89 CLR 200
Category:	Principal judgment
Parties:	Salaah Moussa (Plaintiff) Raymond Confoy (Defendant)
Representation:	Counsel: Mr T Boyd (Plaintiff) Mr D Williams (Plaintiff on 25 May 2015) Mr J Turnbull (Defendant) Mr W Reynolds (Defendant on 25 May 2015)