Black v Lipovac BHNF Maria Lipovac [1998] FCA 699

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA CATCHWORDS NEGLIGENCE - medical negligence - asthmatic child suffers brain damage after use of suppository prescribed by general practitioner - whether theophylline contained in suppository caused brain damage - whether trial judge entitled to reject strong views of paediatric pharmacologist based on reports of limited laboratory tests performed on other children - whether trial judge entitled to prefer contrary medical evidence based on clinical experience and reading of medical literature - advantage of trial judge in assessing witnesses - appeal court should acknowledge such advantage - question of fact - no error shown. NEGLIGENCE - medical negligence - conflicting evidence as to practice by general medical practitioners at relevant time - trial judge required to choose - advantage of trial judge in assessing witnesses - question of fact - no error shown. NEGLIGENCE - medical negligence - asthmatic child suffers brain damage after use of phenobarbitone prescribed by locum to combat effects of prior use of suppository – whether phenobarbitone caused damage - question of fact - no error shown. NEGLIGENCE – manufacturer's liability – drug contained in suppository – lack of warning as to possible consequences on packaging – doctor prescribing would not have read packaging anyway – causation not established – question of fact – no error shown. DAMAGES – various heads – questions of fact – interest on past component of Griffiths v Kerkemeyer award to await decision of Full Court in another pending appeal – otherwise no error shown. APPEAL – appeal on questions of fact – expert evidence – conflict between opinions of experts – advantage of trial judge – principles applicable. Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1955 (ACT), s 11(4) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), s 52, s 82(2) Adelaide Stevedoring Co Ltd v Frost (1940) 64 CLR 538 at 563 Tubemakers of Australia Ltd v Fernandez (1976) 50 ALJR 720 Griffiths v Kerkemeyer (1977) 139 CLR 161 Van Gervan v Fenton (1992) 175 CLR 327 Hodges v Frost (1984) 53 ALR 373 Arvind v Greco (1995) Aust Torts Reports 81-357 Harris v Briggs (1994) Aust Tort Reports 81-301 Calderbank v Calderbank [1975] 3 All ER 333 at 342 Gould v Vaggelas (1984) 58 ALJR 560 Lackersteen v Jones (No.2) (1988) 93 FLR 442 George Wimpey Ltd v BOAC [1955] AC 169 Oceanic Crest Shipping Co v Pilbara Harbour Services Pty Ltd (1995) 160 CLR 626 March v E & M H Stramare Pty Ltd (1991) 171 CLR 506 and 507 Warren v Coombes (1979) 142 CLR 5 3 1 Wyong Shire Council v Shirt (1980) 146 CLR 40 Abalos v Australian Postal Commission (1990) 171 CLR 167 Lowns & Another v Woods & Others (1996) Aust Torts Reports 81-376 Koziol vAnasson, a decision of the Full Court of this Court (18 August 1997, unreported) Fitzgerald v Penn (1954) 91 CLR 268 Daubert v Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc (1993) 113 S Ct 2786 Frye v United States (1923) 293F 1013 Fernandez v Tubemakers of Australia Ltd (1975) 2 NSWLR 190 at 194 Janssen (Cilag) Pty Ltd v Pfizer Pty Limited (1992) ATPR 41-186 Demagogue Pty Ltd v Ramensky (1992) 39 FCR 31 University of Wollongong v Metwally (No. 2) (1985) 59 ALJR 481 at 483 Dare v Pulham (1982) 148 CLR 658 at 664 Water Board v Moustakas (1988) 180 CLR 491 Andjelic v Marsland (1996) 186 CLR 20 Autodesk v Dyason (No 2) (1992-3) 176 CLR 300 Koeck v Persic (ACT Supreme Court, Miles CJ, Gallop and Foster JJ, 26 March 1996, unreported) Cutts v Head [1994] Ch 290 Messiter v Hutchinson (1987) 10 NSWLR 525 at 528 WCW Pty Ltd v Charthill Ltd (Olney J, 7 July 1992, unreported) John S Hayes & Associates Pty Ltd v Kimberley-Clark Australia Pty Ltd (1994) 52 FCR 201 (Hill J) Sanko Steamship Co Ltd v Sumitomo Australia Ltd (Sheppard J, 7 February 1996, unreported) MGICA v Kenny (1996) 140 ALR 707 (Lindgren J) Fasold v Roberts (Sackville J, 11 September 1997, unreported) Multicon Engineering Pty Ltd v Federal Airports Corporation (20 June 1996 unreported) Mutual Community Ltd v Lorden Holdings Pty Ltd (unreported, 28 April 1993) at 12-13 Grincelis v House (AG 59/97)