Franco v Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer [2020] NSWSC 915

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Franco v Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer [2020] NSWSC 915 Hearing dates: 10 June 2020 Date of orders: 17 July 2020 Decision date: 17 July 2020 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Rothman J Decision: (1) Pursuant to s 151D(2) of the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), leave is granted to the plaintiff to commence her claim for work injury damages; (2) A declaration that Subdiv 2, Div 3, Pt 17 of the Workers Compensation Regulation 2016 (NSW) does not apply to the costs of the motion pursuant to the effect of cl 98 of the Regulation; (3) The defendant is to pay the plaintiff's costs of and incidental to the motion; (4) The substantive hearing remains listed for hearing on 3 August 2020 with an estimate of three days. Catchwords: LIMITATION OF ACTIONS – Personal Injury – workplace injury – s 151D of Workers' Compensation Act 1987 – whether significant forensic disadvantage – plaintiff is exception to general rule and should be granted leave. Legislation Cited: Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 151, 151A, 151C, 151D, 151DA, 151E, 151H, Pt 5 Div 2 & 3 Workers Compensation Regulation 2016 (NSW), Pt 17 Div 3 Subdiv 2 Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 (NSW), ss 313, 319, Pt 7 Cases Cited: Ballantyne v Workcover Authority of NSW (2007) 5 DDCR 97; [2007] NSWCA 239 Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor (1996) 186 CLR 541; [1996] HCA 25 Christakos Transport Pty Ltd (in Liq) v Croft [2005] NSWCA 472 Delta Pty Ltd v Whitefield [2004] NSWCA 220 Holt v Wynter (2000) 49 NSWLR 128; [2000] NSWCA 143 Itek Graphix Pty Limited v Elliott (2001) 54 NSWLR 207; [2001] NSWCA 442 Jones v Bellgrove Properties Ltd (1949) 2 KB 700 McLean v Sydney Water Corporation [2001] NSWCA 122 Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd (1986) 162 CLR 24; [1986] HCA 40 Murphyores Incorporated Pty Ltd v The Commonwealth (1976) 136 CLR 1; [1976] HCA 20 R v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal; ex parte 2HD Pty Ltd (1979) 144 CLR 45; [1979] HCA 62 RB Policies at Lloyd's v Butler (1950) 1 KB 76 Re Coldham; ex parte Brideson (1989) 166 CLR 338; [1989] HCA 2 Rutter v New South Wales [2005] NSWCA 231 Salido v Nominal Defendant (1993) 32 NSWLR 524 Sydney City Council v Zegarac (1998) 43 NSWLR 195 Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission (NSW) v Browning (1947) 74 CLR 492; [1947] HCA 21 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Marina Franco (Plaintiff) Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: R De Meyrick & J Mrsic (Plaintiff) S Kettle (Defendant)