Metri v Nestlé Australia Ltd [2021] NSWSC 343

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Metri v Nestlé Australia Ltd [2021] NSWSC 343 Hearing dates: 15-19, 22-24 March 2021 Decision date: 07 April 2021 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Adamson J Decision: (1) Judgment for the plaintiff against the first defendant. (2) Judgment for the second defendant on the plaintiff's claim. (3) Judgment for the cross-defendant (second defendant) on the cross-claim. (4) Reserve costs. (5) Direct the parties to calculate the judgment sum in accordance with the reasons set out above and forward such calculation to my Associate within 7 days. (6) Grant liberty to apply to restore the matter for further argument on the judgment sum, or the appropriate costs orders. Catchwords: NEGLIGENCE — alleged failure to repair forklift when fault identified four days previously — whether fault could be replicated — circumstances in which negligence can be proved although precise mechanism unknown — superior knowledge of employer not passed on to repairer of forklift NEGLIGENCE / TORTS — Defences — Contributory negligence — plaintiff's conduct in applying brake to forklift reasonable and motivated by concern for other workers in vicinity NEGLIGENCE — Damages — Economic loss — Earning capacity — no residual earning capacity — no viable alternative occupation proposed or available TORTS — General principles — Damages LIMITATION OF ACTIONS — Discoverability — Personal injury — Knowledge of fault of defendant — evaluative judgment requiring legal advice — relationship between ss 50C and 50D of Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) and s 347 of Legal Profession Act 2004 (NSW) — provisions enacted by the same Parliament to be read harmoniously Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 3B, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5R Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1946 (NSW), s 5 Legal Profession Act 2004 (NSW), ss 347, 348 Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014 (NSW), Sch 2 cl 4, cl 5 Limitation Act 1969 (NSW), ss 50C, 50D Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), ss 126, 127, 131, 134, 138, 141B Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), s 151Z Cases Cited: Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Moubarak (2009) 239 CLR 240; [2009] HCA 48 Adelaide Stevedoring Co Ltd v Forst (1940) 64 CLR 538; [1940] HCA 45 Astley v Austrust Ltd (1999) 197 CLR 1; [1999] HCA 6 Australian Woollen Mills Limited v F S Walton and Company Limited (1937) 58 CLR 641; [1937] HCA 51 Baggs v University of Sydney Union [2013] NSWCA 451 Baker-Morrison v State of New South Wales (2009) 74 NSWLR 454; [2009] NSWCA 35 Bendix Mintex Pty Ltd v Barnes (1997) 42 NSWLR 307 Brambles Constructions Pty Limited v Helmers (1966) 114 CLR 213; [1966] HCA 3 Chung v Anderson [2004] NSWCA 321 Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of NSW (1982) 149 CLR 337; [1982] HCA 24 Commercial Union Assurance Company of Australia Ltd v Ferrcom Pty Ltd (1991) 22 NSWLR 389 Connor v Blacktown District Hospital [1971] 1 NSWLR 713 Ferdinands v Commissioner for Public Employment (2006) 225 CLR 130; [2006] HCA 5 Fox v Wood (1981) 148 CLR 439; [1981] HCA 41 Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW v Dederer (2007) 234 CLR 330; [2007] HCA 42 Schellenberg v Tunnel Holdings Pty Ltd (2000) 200 CLR 121; [2000] HCA 18 TNT Australia Pty Limited v Christie (2003) 65 NSWLR 1; [2003] NSWCA 47 Tubemakers of Australia Ltd v Fernandez (1976) 50 ALJR 720 Wallace v Kam (2013) 250 CLR 375; [2013] HCA 19 Wynn v NSW Insurance Ministerial Corporation (1995) 184 CLR 485; [1995] HCA 53 Texts Cited: Australian Standard, AS 2359 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Toufic Metri (Plaintiff) Nestlé Australia Ltd (First Defendant / Cross-claimant) Linde Material Handling Pty Limited (Second Defendant / Cross-defendant) Representation: Counsel: M Cranitch SC / T Hickey (Plaintiff) G Parker SC / D O'Dowd (First Defendant / Cross-claimant) M McCulloch SC / T Berberian (Second Defendant / Cross-defendant)