Burden v Fingleson [2020] NSWDC 366

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Burden v Fingleson [2020] NSWDC 366 Hearing dates: 2 – 3, 24 June 2020 (Hearing) Date of orders: 16 July 2020 Decision date: 16 July 2020 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Weber SC DJC Decision: (1) Judgment and verdict for the plaintiff in the sum of $172,430.33. (2) The defendant pay the plaintiff's costs on an ordinary basis up until 3 May 2020 and thereafter on an indemnity basis. Catchwords: TORTS — Negligence – Liability – Motor vehicle accident – cyclist travelling on shared path struck by motor vehicle exiting driveway – issues of liability – speed of cyclist – obstructed vision – point of collision – perception response time TORTS — Negligence – Legal principles – relevant duty of care TORTS — Contributory negligence — Apportionment of liability – factors relevant to the assessment on contributory negligence TORTS — Damages – assessment of damages – plaintiff not entitled to damages for non-economic loss – damages awarded for past and future economic loss and past treatment expenses Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) Motor Vehicle Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) Road Rules 2014 (NSW) Cases Cited: Manley v Alexander (2005) 223 ALR 228, 231 Marien v Gardiner (2013) NSWCA 396 Pennington v Norris (1956) 96 CLR 10 Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201 Sharpe v Gordon; QBE Workers Compensation Australia Limited v Gordon [2006] NSWCA 347 Stapley v Gypsum Mines Limited (1953) AC 663 Talbot-Butt v Holloway (1990) 12 MVR 70 T and X Company Pty Ltd v Chivas [2014] NSWCA 235 Warth v Lafsky [2014] NSWCA 94 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Mr Troy Burden (Plaintiff) Mr Frank Fingleson (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr R. Lynch (Plaintiff) Ms C. Allen (Defendant)