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Roberts v Shimmin

Roberts v Shimmin

Case [2024] NSWDC 171 29 April 2024

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District Court

New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Roberts v Shimmin [2024] NSWDC 171
Hearing dates: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 March and 9 June 2023
Date of orders: 29 April 2024
Decision date: 29 April 2024
Jurisdiction: Civil
Before: Andronos SC DCJ
Decision:
(1)   Direct the parties to provide agreed short minutes, giving effect to these reasons, to my Associate by 13 May 2024.
(2)   In the event that the parties cannot agree on the form of orders, grant leave to approach my Associate by 13 May 2024 for a timetable and hearing date for the determination of any issues arising therefrom.
(3)   Costs are reserved.

Catchwords:
NEGLIGENCE — Breach — Standard of care — Professional negligence – primary total knee arthroplasty/total knee replacement
NEGLIGENCE — Causation — Materially contributing factor
NEGLIGENCE — Damages — Non-economic loss
NEGLIGENCE — Damages — Economic loss — Earning capacity

Legislation Cited:
Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), s 5O
District Court Act 1973, s 44
Wrongs Act1958 (Vic), s 28B, s 28G, s 28LE, s 28LN, s 48, s 51, s 58, s 59

Cases Cited:
Adelaide Stevedoring Co Ltd v Forst (1940) 64 CLR 538
Arthur Robinson (Grafton) Pty Ltd v Carter (1968) 122 CLR 649 at 662
Boxell v Peninsula Health [2019] VSC 830
Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336
Bruce v Kaye [2004] NSWSC 277
Container Terminals Australia Ltd v Huseyin [2008] NSWCA 320
Csalar v Cirosta (2002) 55 NSWLR 212
Dean v Pope [2022] NSWCA 260
Dhupar v Lee (2022) 107 NSWLR 492
Elayoubi v Zipser [2008] NSWCA 335
Elbourne v Gibbs [2006] NSWCA 127
Forder v Hutchinson [2005] VSCA 281
Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118
Helton v Allen (1940) 63 CLR 691
Husher v Husher [1999] HCA 47; (1999) 197 CLR 138
Mason v Demasi [2009] NSWCA 227
Medlin v State GIO (1995) 182 CLR 1; [1995] HCA 5
Onassis and Calogeropoulos v Vergottis [1968] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 403
Rogers v Whitaker [1992] HCA 58; (1992) 175 CLR 479
Schneider v Hoechst Schering Agrevo Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 102; (2001) 50 IPR 555
South Western Sydney Local Health District v Gould [2018] NSWCA 69; (2018) 97 NSWLR 513
State Rail Authority (NSW) v Earthline Constructions Pty Ltd (In Liq) [1999] HCA 3
Strong v Woolworths Ltd t/as Big W (2012) 246 CLR 182; [2012] HCA 5
Tabet v Gett (2010) 240 CLR 537
The Nominal Defendant v Cordin [2017] NSWCA 6
Transport Industries Insurance Co v Longmuir [1997] 1 VR 125
Tubemakers of Australia Limited v Fernandez (1976) 50 ALJR 720

Texts Cited:
A M Suchowersky, D Dickison and LA Ashton, “Current variability in the assessment of component position for the unhappy knee replacement”, (2019) ANZ J Surg 1
E J De Valk, J C A Noorduyn and E L A R Mutsaerts, “How to assess femoral and tibial component rotation after total knee arthroplasty with computed tomography: a systematic review” (2016) 24 Knee Surg Sports Traumatol…

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 Roberts v Shimmin

Details

AGLC: Roberts v Shimmin [2024] NSWDC 171
Case: [2024] NSWDC 171
Decision Date: 29 April 2024

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Roberts brought an action against Shimmin, his orthopaedic surgeon, alleging professional negligence in relation to a total knee replacement surgery. Shimmin admitted liability for the negligence but disputed the extent of damages claimed by Roberts. The case was heard in the Supreme Court of Victoria. The key legal issues were the standard of care Shimmin owed to Roberts, the extent to which Shimmin's negligence contributed to Roberts' injuries, and the appropriate quantum of damages for both economic and non-economic loss.

The Court considered whether Shimmin breached the standard of care owed to Roberts by performing the surgery in a manner that was not in accordance with accepted medical practice. Shimmin accepted that his actions fell short of the required standard. The Court then examined whether Shimmin's negligence was a materially contributing factor to Roberts' injuries. Shimmin argued that other factors also contributed, but the Court found that Shimmin's negligence was a significant cause. Regarding damages, the Court assessed Roberts' non-economic loss, including pain and suffering, and his economic loss, specifically his reduced earning capacity. The Court determined the appropriate amount of damages, considering both past and future losses.

The Court directed the parties to provide agreed short minutes reflecting these reasons to the Associate by 13 May 2024. If the parties could not agree, they were granted leave to approach the Associate for a timetable and hearing date for any unresolved issues. Costs were reserved pending further agreement or determination by the Court.

Orders

Orders of the court

(1) Direct the parties to provide agreed short minutes, giving effect to these reasons, to my Associate by 13 May 2024.

(2) In the event that the parties cannot agree on the form of orders, grant leave to approach my Associate by 13 May 2024 for a timetable and hearing date for the determination of any issues arising therefrom.

(3) Costs are reserved.

Background

Background to the litigation

Full text does not contain this section.

Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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Citations

AGLC Citation

Roberts v Shimmin [2024] NSWDC 171

Cases citing this decision · 0 of 0 shown

No citing cases yet.

Cases cited in this decision · 27 of 27 shown

Dean v Pope
[2022] NSWCA 260

…[2004] NSWSC 277 Container Terminals Australia Ltd v Huseyin [2008] NSWCA 320 Csalar v Cirosta (2002) 55 NSWLR 212 Dean v Pope [2022] NSWCA 260 Dhupar v Lee (2022) 107 NSWLR 492 Elayoubi v Zipser [2008] NSWCA 335 Elbourne v Gibbs [2006] NSWCA 127 Forder v Hutchinson [2005] VSCA 281 Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118 H…
Commissioner of Taxation v Carter
[2022] HCA 10 Para 298

…s neither what was “ideal” treatment nor “necessary” treatment but what is reasonable treatment: in this regard see Arthur Robinson (Grafton) Pty Ltd v Carter (1968) 122 CLR 649 at 662.…
Dhupar v Lee
[2022] NSWCA 15 Para 26

…of an actual recollection. It is not, however, conclusive, and must be weighed with other evidence from which inferences are available: Dhupar v Lee (2022) 107 NSWLR 492 at [106], [151] per Brereton JA.…
Boxell v Peninsula Health
[2019] VSC 830

…Co Ltd v Forst (1940) 64 CLR 538 Arthur Robinson (Grafton) Pty Ltd v Carter (1968) 122 CLR 649 at 662 Boxell v Peninsula Health [2019] VSC 830 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336 Bruce v Kaye [2004] NSWSC 277 Container Terminals Australia Ltd v Huseyin [2008] NSWCA 320 Csalar v Cirosta (2002) 55 NSWLR 212 D…
South Western Sydney Local Health District v Gould
[2018] NSWCA 69

…neider v Hoechst Schering Agrevo Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 102; (2001) 50 IPR 555 South Western Sydney Local Health District v Gould [2018] NSWCA 69; (2018) 97 NSWLR 513 State Rail Authority (NSW) v Earthline Constructions Pty Ltd (In Liq) [1999] HCA 3 Strong v Woolworths Ltd t/as Big W (2012) 246 CLR 182; [2012] HCA 5 T…
The Nominal Defendant v Cordin
[2017] NSWCA 6 Para 20

…the revision TKR, performed by Associate Professor Stalley. Senior Counsel referred me to the well-known passage in The Nominal Defendant v Cordin [2017] NSWCA 6 at [100] ff, in which Davies J surveyed approaches in the case law to assessing the evidence of honest witnesses whose evidence may, nevertheless, not…
Strong v Woolworths Ltd
[2012] HCA 5 Para 250

…able course of events if the negligent act or omission had not been committed is considered: Strong v Woolworths Ltd t/as Big W (2012) 246 CLR 182; [2012] HCA 5. It may be established by a process of inferential reasoning from circumstantial evidence. The evidence must justify an inference of probable, rather t…
Tabet v Gett
[2010] HCA 12 Para 251

…In Tabet v Gett (2010) 240 CLR 537 at [111], Kiefel J stated:…
Mason v Demasi
[2009] NSWCA 227

…ox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118 Helton v Allen (1940) 63 CLR 691 Husher v Husher [1999] HCA 47; (1999) 197 CLR 138 Mason v Demasi [2009] NSWCA 227 Medlin v State GIO (1995) 182 CLR 1; [1995] HCA 5 Onassis and Calogeropoulos v Vergottis [1968] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 403 Rogers v Whitaker [1992] HCA 58; (1992) 175 CLR 479 Schne…
Container Terminals Australia Ltd v Huseyin
[2008] NSWCA 320 Para 30

…e reports of Drs David Broe and John Best, I am mindful of the approach taken by the Court of Appeal in Container Terminals Australia Ltd v Huseyin [2008] NSWCA 320. In that case, Basten JA (at [8]) explained the difficulty in discounting a plaintiff’s oral testimony on the basis of accounts given to various health…
Elayoubi v Zipser
[2008] NSWCA 335 Para 27

…ent case is one where the procedure was not routine and, accordingly, evidence of usual practice does not assist. He referred me to Elayoubi v Zipser [2008] NSWCA 335, where Basten JA stated at [86]:…
Elbourne v Gibbs
[2006] NSWCA 127 Para 252

…Counsel for both parties also referred to the comments of Basten JA in Elbourne v Gibbs [2006] NSWCA 127 at [75]:…
Forder v Hutchinson
[2005] VSCA 281 Para 250

…also Adelaide Stevedoring Co Ltd v Forst (1940) 64 CLR 538, Tubemakers of Australia Limited v Fernandez (1976) 50 ALJR 720 and Forder v Hutchinson [2005] VSCA 281 at [47].…
Bruce v Kaye
[2004] NSWSC 277 Para 31

…s a verbatim transcript of consultations or a movement by movement record of the manner in which particular procedures were carried out: Bruce v Kaye [2004] NSWSC 277.…
Fox v Percy
[2003] HCA 22 Para 32

…should be informed as far as possible on the basis of contemporary materials, objectively established, and the apparent logic of events: Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118 at [30]-[31]. Where proof of a fact is required:…
Csalar v Circosta
[2002] NSWSC 482 Para 319

…Counsel for Ms Roberts referred me to Csalar v Cirosta (2002) 55 NSWLR 212 at [27], where O’Keefe J took the approach that the relevant time at which regard is to be had to the amount in the statute is the time of hearing rather than the date of institution of the action. Senior Counsel for Dr Shimmin submitted that C…
Schneider v Hoechst Schering Agrevo Pty Limited and Anor S55/2001
[2001] HCATrans 600 Para 250

…bable, rather than possible, connection: Transport Industries Insurance Co v Longmuir ; Schneider v Hoechst Schering Agrevo Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 102; (2001) 50 IPR 555. See also Adelaide Stevedoring Co Ltd v Forst (1940) 64 CLR 538, Tubemakers of Australia Limited v Fernandez (1976) 50 ALJR 720 and Forder v Hutchinson…
Schneider v Hoechst Schering Agrevo Pty Ltd
[2001] FCA 102 Para 250

…inference of probable, rather than possible, connection: Transport Industries Insurance Co v Longmuir ; Schneider v Hoechst Schering Agrevo Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 102; (2001) 50 IPR 555. See also Adelaide Stevedoring Co Ltd v Forst (1940) 64 CLR 538, Tubemakers of Australia Limited v Fernandez (1976) 50 ALJR 720 and…
Husher v Husher
[1999] HCA 47 Para 275

…Ms Roberts must demonstrate a diminution of earning capacity likely to cause financial loss: Husher v Husher [1999] HCA 47; (1999) 197 CLR 138 at [7] and Medlin v State GIO [1995] HCA 5; (1995) 182 CLR 1 at [2].…
State Rail Authority of New South Wales v Earthline Constructions Pty Ltd (In Liq)
[1999] HCA 3 Para 33

…ences, having regard to the whole of the evidence and the conduct of the trial: State Rail Authority (NSW) v Earthline Constructions Pty Ltd (In Liq) [1999] HCA 3 at [63], [94], [149] and [155].…
Rogers v Whitaker
[1992] HCA 58

…v State GIO (1995) 182 CLR 1; [1995] HCA 5 Onassis and Calogeropoulos v Vergottis [1968] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 403 Rogers v Whitaker [1992] HCA 58; (1992) 175 CLR 479 Schneider v Hoechst Schering Agrevo Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 102; (2001) 50 IPR 555 South Western Sydney Local Health District v Gould [2018] NSWCA 69; (2018)…
Arthur Robinson (Grafton) Pty Ltd v Carter
[1968] HCA 9 Para 298

…s “ideal” treatment nor “necessary” treatment but what is reasonable treatment: in this regard see Arthur Robinson (Grafton) Pty Ltd v Carter (1968) 122 CLR 649 at 662.…
Adelaide Stevedoring Co Ltd v Forst
[1940] HCA 45 Para 250

…surance Co v Longmuir ; Schneider v Hoechst Schering Agrevo Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 102; (2001) 50 IPR 555. See also Adelaide Stevedoring Co Ltd v Forst (1940) 64 CLR 538, Tubemakers of Australia Limited v Fernandez (1976) 50 ALJR 720 and Forder v Hutchinson [2005] VSCA 281 at [47].…
Helton v Allen
[1940] HCA 20

…] NSWCA 335 Elbourne v Gibbs [2006] NSWCA 127 Forder v Hutchinson [2005] VSCA 281 Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118 Helton v Allen (1940) 63 CLR 691 Husher v Husher [1999] HCA 47; (1999) 197 CLR 138 Mason v Demasi [2009] NSWCA 227 Medlin v State GIO (1995) 182 CLR 1; [1995] HCA 5 Onassis and Calogeropoulos v Vergottis…
Briginshaw v Briginshaw
[1938] HCA 36

…(1940) 64 CLR 538 Arthur Robinson (Grafton) Pty Ltd v Carter (1968) 122 CLR 649 at 662 Boxell v Peninsula Health [2019] VSC 830 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336 Bruce v Kaye [2004] NSWSC 277 Container Terminals Australia Ltd v Huseyin [2008] NSWCA 320 Csalar v Cirosta (2002) 55 NSWLR 212 Dean v Pope [2022] NSWCA 260 Dhu…
Briginshaw v Briginshaw
[1938] HCA 34

…Robinson (Grafton) Pty Ltd v Carter (1968) 122 CLR 649 at 662 Boxell v Peninsula Health [2019] VSC 830 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336 Bruce v Kaye [2004] NSWSC 277 Container Terminals Australia Ltd v Huseyin [2008] NSWCA 320 Csalar v Cirosta (2002) 55 NSWLR 212 Dean v Pope [2022] NSWCA 260 Dhupar v Lee (…
Medlin v State Government Insurance Commission
[1995] HCA 5 Para 275

…rate a diminution of earning capacity likely to cause financial loss: Husher v Husher [1999] HCA 47; (1999) 197 CLR 138 at [7] and Medlin v State GIO [1995] HCA 5; (1995) 182 CLR 1 at [2].…

Legislation cited in this decision · 4

District Court Act 1973 (NSW)
44 2 mentions (from Para 315)
Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic)
28B 2 mentions (from Para 7)
Civil Liability Act 2002 (TAS)
5O 1 mention
District Court (Procedure) Amendment Act 1984 (NSW)
1 mention

Medium Neutral Citation:	Roberts v Shimmin [2024] NSWDC 171
Hearing dates:	6, 7, 8, 9, 10 March and 9 June 2023
Date of orders:	29 April 2024
Decision date:	29 April 2024
Jurisdiction:	Civil
Before:	Andronos SC DCJ
Decision:	(1) Direct the parties to provide agreed short minutes, giving effect to these reasons, to my Associate by 13 May 2024. (2) In the event that the parties cannot agree on the form of orders, grant leave to approach my Associate by 13 May 2024 for a timetable and hearing date for the determination of any issues arising therefrom. (3) Costs are reserved.
Catchwords:	NEGLIGENCE — Breach — Standard of care — Professional negligence – primary total knee arthroplasty/total knee replacement NEGLIGENCE — Causation — Materially contributing factor NEGLIGENCE — Damages — Non-economic loss NEGLIGENCE — Damages — Economic loss — Earning capacity
Legislation Cited:	Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), s 5O District Court Act 1973, s 44 Wrongs Act1958 (Vic), s 28B, s 28G, s 28LE, s 28LN, s 48, s 51, s 58, s 59
Cases Cited:	Adelaide Stevedoring Co Ltd v Forst (1940) 64 CLR 538 Arthur Robinson (Grafton) Pty Ltd v Carter (1968) 122 CLR 649 at 662 Boxell v Peninsula Health [2019] VSC 830 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336 Bruce v Kaye [2004] NSWSC 277 Container Terminals Australia Ltd v Huseyin [2008] NSWCA 320 Csalar v Cirosta (2002) 55 NSWLR 212 Dean v Pope [2022] NSWCA 260 Dhupar v Lee (2022) 107 NSWLR 492 Elayoubi v Zipser [2008] NSWCA 335 Elbourne v Gibbs [2006] NSWCA 127 Forder v Hutchinson [2005] VSCA 281 Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118 Helton v Allen (1940) 63 CLR 691 Husher v Husher [1999] HCA 47; (1999) 197 CLR 138 Mason v Demasi [2009] NSWCA 227 Medlin v State GIO (1995) 182 CLR 1; [1995] HCA 5 Onassis and Calogeropoulos v Vergottis [1968] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 403 Rogers v Whitaker [1992] HCA 58; (1992) 175 CLR 479 Schneider v Hoechst Schering Agrevo Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 102; (2001) 50 IPR 555 South Western Sydney Local Health District v Gould [2018] NSWCA 69; (2018) 97 NSWLR 513 State Rail Authority (NSW) v Earthline Constructions Pty Ltd (In Liq) [1999] HCA 3 Strong v Woolworths Ltd t/as Big W (2012) 246 CLR 182; [2012] HCA 5 Tabet v Gett (2010) 240 CLR 537 The Nominal Defendant v Cordin [2017] NSWCA 6 Transport Industries Insurance Co v Longmuir [1997] 1 VR 125 Tubemakers of Australia Limited v Fernandez (1976) 50 ALJR 720
Texts Cited:	A M Suchowersky, D Dickison and LA Ashton, “Current variability in the assessment of component position for the unhappy knee replacement”, (2019) ANZ J Surg 1 E J De Valk, J C A Noorduyn and E L A R Mutsaerts, “How to assess femoral and tibial component rotation after total knee arthroplasty with computed tomography: a systematic review” (2016) 24 Knee Surg Sports Traumatol…