Pethybridge v D'Orsa

[2010] VSC 90

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA Not Restricted

AT BENDIGO

COMMON LAW DIVISION

No. 30 of 2009

MALCOLM CARL PETHYBRIDGE	Plaintiff
v
JAMES D’ORSA	Defendant

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JUDGE:

VICKERY J

WHERE HELD:

BENDIGO AND MELBOURNE

DATES  OF HEARING:

22–26 FEBRUARY (BENDIGO),

1–3 MARCH (MELBOURNE) 2010

DATE OF JUDGMENT:

26 MARCH 2010

CASE MAY BE CITED AS:

PETHYBRIDGE v D’ORSA

MEDIUM NEUTRAL CITATION:

[2010] VSC 90

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NEGLIGENCE – Motor vehicle accident – Driving negligently on public highway – Motor car towing horse float driven by Defendant on wrong side of highway – Collision with motor bike ridden by Plaintiff on correct side of highway – No contributory negligence – Personal injuries – Claim for loss of future earning capacity a speculative claim not giving rise to compensation on the claimed basis.

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APPEARANCES:	Counsel	Solicitors
For the Plaintiff	Mr J B Richards  SC and Mr A D B Ingram	Rogers & Every
For the Defendants	Mr M R Titshall QC and Mr A J Mc G Moulds	Solicitor to the Transport Accident Commission

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................. 1

The Litigation................................................................................................................................. 1
Mr Pethybridge............................................................................................................................. 2
Dr D’Orsa....................................................................................................................................... 3

THE COLLISION............................................................................................................................... 4

Road Conditions............................................................................................................................ 4
Events Leading to the Collision.................................................................................................. 5

Mr Pethybridge.......................................................................................................................... 5

Dr D’Orsa................................................................................................................................. 7

The Collision.................................................................................................................................. 9
Physical Indicia.............................................................................................................................. 9

Motor Cycle............................................................................................................................... 9
Horse Float............................................................................................................................... 10
Leather Vest............................................................................................................................. 11
Witnesses Attending the Scene................................................................................................ 11
Gouge Mark(s)......................................................................................................................... 12
Brake Fluid............................................................................................................................... 13
Scrape Mark............................................................................................................................. 14
Mirror...................................................................................................................................... 15
Plastic Item.............................................................................................................................. 16
Conclusions Derived from Physical Indicia............................................................................ 16
Expert Opinion........................................................................................................................ 17

Assessment of Liability.............................................................................................................. 17

DAMAGES........................................................................................................................................ 22

Pain and Suffering Damages..................................................................................................... 25

History of Treatment............................................................................................................... 25
Long Term Disabilities Caused by the Accident..................................................................... 26
Medical Evidence..................................................................................................................... 30
Dr Douglas Li.......................................................................................................................... 30
Dr  Hary Wisjaja..................................................................................................................... 31
Dr John Anstee......................................................................................................................... 33
Dr Sutcliffe – Total and Permanent Unfitness for Future Employment................................ 35
Dr Eisen - Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Infection........................ 39
Dr Marshall............................................................................................................................. 40
Dr Elder................................................................................................................................... 41
Dr Dooley................................................................................................................................. 44
Conclusion and Assessment of Pain and Suffering Damages................................................. 50

Claim for Loss of Earnings and Future Earning Capacity.................................................... 50

Defendant’s Submissions......................................................................................................... 53
Loss of Opportunity................................................................................................................. 55
Assessment of Loss of Past Earnings and Future Earning Capacity...................................... 56

Conclusion and Orders.............................................................................................................. 58

HIS HONOUR:

INTRODUCTION

The Litigation

1. In this proceeding the Plaintiff, Malcolm Carl Pethybridge (“Mr Pethybridge”), claims damages for personal injuries and loss of past earnings and future earning capacity arising from a transport accident which occurred on 14 January 2006 on the Maroondah Highway at Narbethong Victoria.  The accident (the “accident”) occurred on a stretch of roadway known as the “Black Spur” when there was a collision between a horse float being towed by the Defendant, James D’Orsa (“Dr D’Orsa”) and a motor cycle being ridden by Mr Pethybridge (“the collision”).

1. It is alleged by Mr Pethybridge that the collision was caused by the negligence of Dr D’Orsa in the driving, management and control of the motor vehicle which he was driving and the horse float which he was towing.  The essence of the Plaintiff’s case is that the Defendant drove his motor vehicle…