O'Hagan v Sakker

[2011] NSWDC 60

District Court

New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation:

O'Hagan v Sakker [2011] NSWDC 60

Hearing dates:

24 February, 15 April, 13 & 27 May 2011

Decision date:

11 July 2011

Jurisdiction:

Civil

Before:

Levy SC DCJ

Decision:

1.Pursuant to s 60G of the Limitation Act 1969, the time for filing of the plaintiff's proceedings against the defendant is extended to 29 September 2010;

2.Defendant's motion filed on 7 February 2011 seeking to strike out and dismiss the plaintiff's proceedings is dismissed;

3.The defendant is to pay the plaintiff's costs of the motion seeking an extension of time in which to file proceedings;

4.The defendant is to pay the costs of the plaintiff in resisting the defendant's motion filed on 7 February 2011;

5.The exhibits may be returned;

6.Liberty to apply on 7 days notice if further orders are required.

Catchwords:

LIMITATION OF ACTIONS - alleged negligence in the course of abdominal surgery performed by defendant - retained surgical pack detected in plaintiff's abdominal cavity 15 years later - relevant facts and connection to surgery by defendant ascertained by plaintiff after expiry of limitation period - whether plaintiff is entitled to a grant of leave to proceed against the defendant notwithstanding expiry of limitation period - whether plaintiff's proceedings should be dismissed

Legislation Cited:

Civil Liability Act 2002, s 5O
Limitation Act 1969, s 60G, s 60I, s 60L
Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, r 13.4, r 14.28

Cases Cited:

Adelaide Stevedoring Co Ltd v Forst [1940] HCA 45; (1940) 64 CLR 538
Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor [1996] HCA 25; (1996) 186 CLR 541
CRA v Martignago (1996) 39 NSWLR 13
Commonwealth of Australia v McLean (1997) 41 NSWLR 389
Commonwealth of Australia v Nelson [2001] NSWCA 443
Commonwealth of Australia v Smith [2005] NSWCA 478 per Giles JA at [102]
Dobler v Halverson and Ors [2007] NSWCA 335; (2007) 70 NSWLR 151
Drayton Coal Pty Ltd v Drain [1995] NSWCA 131
Elliott v Bickerstaff [1999] NSWCA 453
General Steel Industries Inc v Commissioner for Railways (NSW) [1964] HCA 69; (1964) 112 CLR 125
Gretton v The Commonwealth [2005] NSWSC 437
Holt v Wynter [2000] NSWCA 143; (2000) 49 NSWLR 128
Ingram v Fitzgerald (1936) NZLR 905
Mason v Demasi [2009] NSWCA 227
Strinic v Singh [2009] NSWCA 15
Van Wyk v Lewis (1924) App D (S Af) 438

Category:

Interlocutory applications

Parties:

Helen Caroline Anne O'Hagan (Plaintiff)
Samuel Sakker (Defendant)

Representation:

Mr P Mansfield (Plaintiff)
Mr EC Muston (Defendant)
Shaw McDonald (Plaintiff)
Avant Law Pty Ltd (Defendant)

File Number(s):

2010/321304

Judgment

Table of Contents

Notices of motion	[1] – [4]
The underlying case	[5]
Issues	[6]
Procedural history	[7] – [11]
Evidence	[12] – [13]
Credibility of testimony	[14] – [18]
Facts	[19] – [62]
Legislation	[63] – [65]
Consideration of Issue 1 – Whether claim is arguable	[66] – [89]
Consideration of Issue 2 – Plaintiff’s knowledge of the events	[90] – [113]
Consideration of Issue 3 – The just and…