Powell v JFIT Holdings Pty Ltd t/as New Dimensions Health and Fitness Centre [2020] NSWDC 264

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Powell v JFIT Holdings Pty Ltd t/as New Dimensions Health and Fitness Centre [2020] NSWDC 264 Hearing dates: 3, 4, 5, 6 February and 6 March 2020 Date of orders: 04 June 2020 Decision date: 04 June 2020 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Judge Levy SC Decision: 1. Verdict and judgment for the plaintiff against the defendant in the amount of $551,097.62;

2. The defendant is to pay the plaintiff's costs on the ordinary basis unless otherwise ordered;

3. The exhibits may be returned;

4. Liberty to apply on 7 days' notice if further or other orders are required. Catchwords: TORTS – negligence – occupier's liability – plaintiff incurred L4/5 disc lesion whilst clearing an exercise space in a gymnasium where heavy weights had been left on the floor – finding of negligence – rejection of defences of waiver and contributory negligence; DAMAGES – assessment of claimed heads of damage Legislation Cited: Australian Consumer Law (Cwth), s 60, s 64 Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), s 5B, s 5C, s 5D, s 5E, s 5N, s 5R, s 5S, s 13, s 16 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 60 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, Sch 7, cl (3)(e), r 31.27(1)(c) Work Health and Safety Act 2011(NSW) Work Health and Safety Regulations (2017) (NSW) Cases Cited: Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr [2012] NSWCA 13 Belna Pty Ltd v Irwin [2009] NSWCA 46 Browne v Dunn (1893) 6 R 67 Caltex Refineries (Qld) Pty Limited v Stavar (2009) 75 NSWLR 649; [2009] NSWCA 258 Causer v Browne [1952] VLR 1 Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Limited v Haleluka [2012] NSWCA 343 Daw v Toyworld (NSW) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 25 Fallas v Mourlas (2006) 65 NWSLR 418; [2006] NSWCA 32 Goode v Angland [2017] NSWCA 311 Mahony v J Kruschich (Demolitions) Pty Ltd (1985) 156 CLR 522; [1985] HCA 37 Patrick Stevedores Operations (No 2) Pty Ltd v Hennessy; FBIS International Protective Services (Aust) Pty Ltd v Hennessy [2015] NSWCA 253 Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201 Perisher Blue Pty Ltd v Nair-Smith (2015) NSWLR 1; [2015] NSWCA 90 Roads and Traffic Authority (NSW) v Dederer (2007) 234 CLR 330; [2007] HCA 42 South Western Sydney Local Health District v Gould [2018] NSWCA 69 State of NSW v Moss (2000) 54 NSWLR 536; [2000] NSWCA 133 Strong v Woolworths Ltd (2012) 246 CLR 182; [2012] HCA 5 Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) v Miller [2015] NSWCA 320 Wynn v NSW Insurance Ministerial Corporation (1995) 184 CLR 485; [1995] HCA 53 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Jacqueline Powell (Plaintiff) JFIT Holdings Pty Ltd t/as New Dimensions Health & Fitness Centre (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr J Ryan (Plaintiff) Mr N Polin SC (Defendant)