Damirdjian, C v Nominal Defendant & Zaya [2021] NSWDC 706

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Damirdjian, C v Nominal Defendant & Zaya [2021] NSWDC 706 Hearing dates: 28, 29, 30 August; 8, 29 September; 27 October 2017; 2 February; 20 April; 25 May; 20 July; 30 August; 6 December 2018; 15, 16 July; 25 October; 5 December 2019; 8 May; 3, 17 July; 14 September; 2, 9 October; 2020; 15 – 17, 19, 22, 31 March 2021 Date of orders: 21 December 2021 Decision date: 21 December 2021 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Judge Levy SC Decision: 1. Verdict and judgment for the first defendant against the plaintiff; 2. Verdict and judgment for the plaintiff against the second defendant in the amount of $467,621.20; 3. The plaintiff's application for interest on damages is refused at this stage; 4. I will hear the parties on the appropriate order for costs; 5. The exhibits may be returned; 6. Liberty to apply on 7 days' notice if further or other orders are required. Catchwords: TORTS – Negligence – motor vehicle accident – plaintiff's father injured due to negligence of the driver of a motor vehicle owned by the second defendant – plaintiff suffered psychological injury – damages for mental harm – Pt 3 of Civil Liability Act 2002; DAMAGES – assessment of claimed heads of damage Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), s 5D, s 5E, s 13, Pt 3 s 27 – s 33, Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), s 34, s 126, s 131 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), Sch 7, cl 5(c) Cases Cited: Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Cervantes [2012] NSWCA 244 Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr [2012] NSWCA 13 Armin Damirdjian v Nominal Defendant & Zaya [2021] NSWDC 703 Dasreef Pty Ltd v Hawchar (2011) 243 CLR 588; [2011] HCA 21 Glen v Sullivan [2015] NSWCA 191 Goodrich Aerospace Pty Ltd v Arsic [2006] NSWCA 187 Graham v Baker (1961) 106 CLR 340; [1961] HCA 48 Harman v Secretary of State for the Home Department [1983] 1 AC 208 at 308 Jaensch v Coffey [1984] HCA 52; (1084) 155 CLR 549 Larson v Commissioner of Police [2004] NSWCA 126 Majkic v Bonnano [2008] NSWCA 253 Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles (2001) 52 NSWLR 705; [2001] NSWCA 305 Medlin v State Government Insurance Commission (1995) 182 CLR 1; [1995] HCA 5 Optus Administration Pty Ltd v Wright [2017] NSWCA 21 Paff v Speed (1961) 105 CLR 549 Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201 Pollard v RRR Corporation Pty Ltd [2009] NSWCA 110 Purkess v Crittenden (1965) 114 CLR 164; [1965] HCA 34 State of NSW v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133, (2000) 54 NSWLR 536 Strong v Woolworths Ltd (2012) 246 CLR 182; [2012] HCA 5 Watts v Rake (1960) 108 CLR 158; [1960] HCA 58 Texts Cited: Furzer Crestani, Assessment Handbook, 2021 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Christina Araks Damirdjian (Plaintiff) The Nominal Defendant (First defendant) Sam Zaya (Second defendant from 14 September 2020) Representation: Counsel: Mr P Menzies QC with Ms B Nolan – 28 August 2017 to 16 July 2019; Mr A Parker – from 5 December 2019 (Plaintiff) Mr J Turnbull SC (First defendant) Mr W Fitzsimmons SC with Mr B Jones (Second defendant from 15 March 2021) Solicitors: Gajic Lawyers (Plaintiff) Moray & Agnew (First defendant) Sparke Helmore (Second defendant from 14 September 2020) File Number(s): 2014/269323 Publication restriction: None