Ellis v Amari Metals Australia Pty Ltd t/as Atlas Steels Pty Ltd [2020] NSWDC 627

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Ellis v Amari Metals Australia Pty Ltd t/as Atlas Steels Pty Ltd [2020] NSWDC 627 Hearing dates: 22, 23, 24, 25 June 2020 Decision date: 31 August 2020 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Hatzistergos DCJ Decision: (1) There will be a verdict and judgment in favour of the Plaintiff in an amount to be calculated. (2) I defer entry of final orders to enable the parties to confer, check my calculations and advise of any outstanding figures, with a view to presenting proposed consent orders that accord with this judgment and any agreement as to costs within 14 days. (3) Parties have liberty to lodge with my Associate in Chambers any agreed Consent Order. (4) In the event of any disagreement, the parties are to approach my Associate with a view to relist the matter for further argument as to proposed final orders within 14 days. Catchwords: MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT – Where Plaintiff hit by forklift driven by an employee of the Defendant whilst undertaking work duties – Plaintiff has right leg below the knee amputation – Where Defendant vicariously liable for actions of employee – Whether injury caused by the negligence of employee of Defendant – Whether Plaintiff contributed to injury or whether he was merely inadvertent DAMAGES – Non-economic loss – Loss of earning capacity – Past and future domestic care – Past and future out of pocket expenses Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 3B, 5B, 5D, 5R, 16, Motor Accidents Compensation (Determination of Loss) Order 2009 (NSW) Motor Accidents Compensations Act 1999 (NSW), ss 3B, 126, 134, 138 Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 151E, 151N Cases Cited: Boral Bricks Pty Ltd v Cosmidis (No 2) [2014] NSWCA 139 Bresatz v Przibilla 108 CLR 541 Brown v Lewis [2006] NSWCA 87; 65 NSWLR 587 Darke v El Debal; El Debal v Network Welding Pty Ltd (In Liq); el Debal v Kari and Ghossayn Pty Ltd [2006] NSWCA 86 Ghunaim v Bart [2004] NSWCA 28 Gordon v Troung [2014] NSWCA 97 Hodgson v Crane [2002] NSWCA 276; (2002) 55 NSWLR 199 McLean v Tedman (1984) 155 CLR 306 Nominal Defendant v Livaja [2011] NSWCA 121 Nominal Defendant v Ross [2014] NSWCA 212 Pollard v Bauderstone Hornibrook Engineering Pty Ltd [2008] NSWCA 99 Sharman v Evans (1977) 138 CLR 563 Steen v Senton (2015) 73 MVR 336; [2015] ACTCA 57 T & X Company Pty Ltd v Chivas (2014) 67 MVR 297 ; [2014] NSWCA 235 Williams v Metcash Trading Ltd [2019] NSWCA 94 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Mark Ellis (Plaintiff) Amari Metals Australia Ltd trading as Atlas Steels Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr D Campbell SC with Mr J Ryan (Plaintiff) Mr A Combe (Defendant)