Chapman v Dickinson (No 2) [2020] NSWDC 847

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Chapman v Dickinson (No 2) [2020] NSWDC 847 Hearing dates: 23, 24, 25, 26 November; 15 December (submission via email) 2020 Date of orders: 18 December 2020 Decision date: 18 December 2020 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: P Taylor SC DCJ Decision: (1) Judgment for the plaintiff against the defendants in the sum of $121,844.61. (2) Costs reserved. Catchwords: TORTS – negligence – accident at worksite – plaintiff often visited the site and did tasks of his own choosing – usually received money - whether plaintiff a worker – whether plaintiff a deemed worker – whether a contract between plaintiff and defendant – whether agreement uncertain – whether intention to create legal relations – contributory negligence - damages Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002, s 3B, s 5B, s 5G, s 5H, s 5I, s 5R, s 16 Workers Compensation Act 1987, s 2A, s 151E Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998, s 4, Sch 1 Cases Cited: Australian Woollen Mills Pty Ltd v The Commonwealth (1954) 92 CLR 424 Branir Pty Ltd v Owston Nominees (No 2) Pty Ltd (2001) 117 FCR 424; [2001] FCA 1833 Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd v Bridge [2018] NSWCA 183 Container Terminals Australia Ltd v Huseyin [2008] NSWCA 320 Ermogenous v Greek Orthodox Community of SA Inc (2002) 209 CLR 95; [2002] HCA 8 GC NSW Pty Ltd v Galati [2020] NSWCA 326 Grills v Leighton Contractors Pty Limited [2015] NSWCA 72 Hollis v Vabu Pty Ltd [2001] HCA 44 Humberstone v Northern Timber Mills (1949) 79 CLR 389; [1950] VLR 44 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298; [1959] HCA 8 Mann v Paterson Constructions Pty Ltd [2019] HCA 32 March v E & M H Stramare Pty Ltd (1991) 171 CLR 506; [1991] HCA 12 Mason v Demasi [2009] NSWCA 227 Nominal Defendant v Rooskov [2012] NSWCA 43 Pavey & Matthews Pty Ltd v Paul (1987) 162 CLR 221 Podrebersek v Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 34 Roude v Helwani [2020] NSWCA 310 South Australia v The Commonwealth (1962) 108 CLR 130 Taylor v Johnson (1983) 151 CLR 422; [1983] HCA 5 Verryt v Schoupp [2015] NSWCA 128 Wallace v Kam [2013] HCA 19 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Christopher Chapman (plaintiff) Justin Dickinson (first defendant) Annette Patrick trading as White Heavy Haulage (second defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr R Goodridge (plaintiff) Mr A J Parker (defendants)