Schneider v Smith

[2016] QSC 47

SUPREME COURT OF QUEENSLAND

CITATION:

Schneider v Smith & Anor [2016] QSC 47

PARTIES:

JEFFREY IAN SCHNEIDER
(Plaintiff)

v

REBECCA ANN SMITH
(First Defendant)

And

RACQ INSURANCE LIMITED ABN 50 009 704 152
(Second Defendant)

FILE NO/S:

S233/2015

DIVISION:

Trial Division

PROCEEDING:

Trial

ORIGINATING COURT:

Supreme Court of Queensland

DELIVERED ON:

11 March 2016

DELIVERED AT:

Rockhampton

HEARING DATE:

15, 16, 17 February 2016.

JUDGE:

McMeekin J

ORDER:

1. Judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of $447,969.94

CATCHWORDS:

DAMAGES – MEASURE AND REMOTENESS OF DAMAGES IN ACTIONS FOR TORT – MEASURE OF DAMAGES – PERSONAL INJURIES – GENERAL PRINCIPLES – where liability admitted – where plaintiff was injured in a motorcycle accident – where plaintiff suffered multiple injuries – where plaintiff alleges ongoing pain due to his injuries – where plaintiff alleges ongoing psychiatric condition – where plaintiff admits consuming cannabis before and after accident –  whether the plaintiff is a witness of credit – whether the accident caused the psychiatric condition – whether the plaintiff resigned employment due to accident – whether the plaintiff has suffered loss of earning capacity – whether the plaintiff satisfies pre-conditions for award for provision of gratuitous care

Civil Liability Act 2003 (Qld)

Civil Liability Regulation 2014 (Qld)

Evidence Act 1977 (Qld)

Allwood v Wilson& Anor [2011] QSC 180, followed
Bailey v Nominal Defendant [2004] QCA 344, cited
Beard v Richmond (1987) Aust Torts Rep 80-129, cited
Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd v Fardous [2015] NSWCA 82, cited
Grey v Simpson (Unreported – NSW Court of Appeal – 3 April 1978 – CA 327 of 1977), cited
Havenaar v Havenaar (1982) 1 NSWLR 626, cited
Hopkins v WorkCover Queensland [2004] QCA 155, cited
Hunter Area Health Service v Presland (2005) 63 NSWLR 22, cited
Lisle v Brice [2002] 2 Qd R 168, cited
Malec v JC Hutton Pty Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 638, cited
March v E & MH Stramare Pty Ltd (1991) 171 CLR 506, cited
Phillips v MCG Group Pty Ltd [2013] QCA 83, cited
Purkess v Crittenden (1965) 114 CLR 164, cited
Seltsam Pty Ltd v Ghaleb [2005] NSWCA 208, cited
Smith v Topp [2003] QCA 397, cited
State Rail Authority of New South Wales v Wiegold (1991) 25 NSWLR 500, cited
Watts v Rake (1960) 108 CLR 158, cited
Wylie v The ANI Corporation Ltd [2002] 1 Qd R 320, cited

COUNSEL:

TA Arnold for the plaintiff

GF Crow QC for the defendants

SOLICITORS:

Rees R & Sydney Jones for the plaintiff

Cooper Grace Ward for the defendants

1. McMeekin J: The plaintiff is Jeffrey Ian Schneider. This case involve the assessment of damages for personal injuries that he suffered on 9 March 2010 in a motorcycle accident. Liability is admitted.

The Injuries & Issues

1. Mr Schneider suffered extensive injuries. They are listed in his statement as follows:

a)   Multiple Le Fort fractures of the face;

b)   dental injuries;

c)   facial scarring;

d)   left wrist…