Hubbard v CPB Contractors Pty Limited (No 2) [2020] NSWSC 1922

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Hubbard v CPB Contractors Pty Limited (No 2) [2020] NSWSC 1922 Hearing dates: 7, 8, 9 and 11 December 2020 Date of orders: 31 December 2020 Decision date: 31 December 2020 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Cavanagh J Decision: (1) Judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of $1,212,281. (2) The defendant to pay the plaintiff's costs. Catchwords: NEGLIGENCE — Workplace accident — Plaintiff employed as security guard performing duties at premises of occupier defendant — Alleged to have fallen in ditch and sustained injury — Whether accident occurred as maintained — Whether reasonable precautions taken — Causation — Whether contributory negligence s— Whether any reduction for employer's liability pursuant to Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW) s 151Z — Damages Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 5B, 5D, 5F, 13, 15 Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), s 151Z Cases Cited: Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Limited v Haleluka [2012] NSWCA 343 DIB Group Pty Ltd Trading as Hill & Co v Cole [2009] NSWCA 210 Fox v Wood (1981) 148 CLR 438; [1981] HCA 41 Mason v Demasi [2009] NSWCA 227 Pollard v Baulderstone Hornibrook Engineering Pty Ltd [2008] NSWCA 99 Port Macquarie Hastings Council v Mooney [2014] NSWCA 156; (2014) 201 LGERA 314 Rabay & Anor v Bristow [2005] NSWCA 199 Schultz v McCormack [2015] NSWCA 330 Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) v Miller; Miller v Lithgow City Council (2015) 91 NSWLR 752; [2015] NSWCA 320 Van Gervan v Fenton (1992) 175 CLR 327; [1992] HCA 54 Wallaby Grip Ltd v QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd; Stewart v QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd (2010) 240 CLR 444; [2010] HCA 9 White v Johnston (2015) 87 NSWLR 779; [2015] NSWCA 18 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Stephen John Hubbard (Plaintiff) CPB Contractors Pty Limited (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: E G Romaniuk SC with P Menary (Plaintiff) M Hutchings (Defendant)