Wyong Council v Knowles

Wyong Council appealed to the New South Wales Court of Appeal against a judgment awarding damages to the respondent, Mr Knowles, for personal injuries sustained. The appeal concerned the quantum of damages awarded, specifically in relation to future economic loss.

The primary legal issue before the Court of Appeal was whether the evidence presented at trial sufficiently supported the award made for future economic loss, or if the amount awarded fell outside a permissible range.

The Court of Appeal, comprising Sheller and Fitzgerald JJA, considered the evidence relating to Mr Knowles's future economic capacity. They found that the amount awarded for future economic loss was within the permissible range, notwithstanding the absence of specific evidence that might have precisely quantified such loss. The Court was satisfied that the award was not demonstrably excessive or unsupported by the material before the trial judge.

Leave to appeal was refused.