Dhupar v Lee [2022] NSWCA 15

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Dhupar v Lee [2022] NSWCA 15 Hearing dates: 25, 26 May 2021 Date of orders: 18 February 2022 Decision date: 18 February 2022 Before: Brereton JA at [1]; McCallum JA at [192]; Simpson AJA at [193]. Decision: Dismiss the appeal with costs. Catchwords: TORTS – Medical negligence – Gynaecological surgery for elective sterilisation – Failed Filshie clip tubal ligation leading to unwanted pregnancy – Circumstantial case – Reconciliation of inconclusive medical imagery with other evidence – Whether onus of proof reversed by trial judge – Requirement to prove ultimate question rather than subsidiary issues – Conclusion that pregnancy post surgery was attributable to negligent operator error on part of doctor TORTS – Damages – Civil Liability Act s 71 – Difference between damages for pregnancy and birth of child and damages for economic loss for loss of earnings attributable to psychiatric injury associated with birth of child TORTS – Damages – Non-economic loss – assessment of percentage of most extreme case Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), s 71 Cases Cited: AEA Constructions Pty Ltd v Wharekawa [2019] NSWCA 176 Barkeley Challenge Pty Ltd v Howarth [2013] NSWCA 370 Bourhill v Young [1943] AC 97 Cattanach v Melchior (2003) 215 CLR 1; [2003] HCA 38 Dell v Dalton (1991) 23 NSWLR 528; [1991] NSWCA 76 Dhupar v Lee (NSWCA, 24 May 2021, unreported) MD v Sydney South West Area Health Service (2009) 8 DCLR (NSW) 232; [2009] NSWDC 22 Melchior v Cattanach [2000] QSC 285 Mount Isa Mines Ltd v Pusey (1970) 125 CLR 383; [1970] HCA 60 Rowe v McCartney [1976] 2 NSWLR 72 South Western Sydney Local Health District v Sorbello [2017] NSWCA 201 Tame v NSW (2002) 211 CLR 317; [2002] HCA 35 Waller v James (2015) 90 NSWLR 634; [2015] NSWCA 232 Wilson v Peisley (1975) 50 ALJR 207 Texts Cited: Della Bosca The Hon John, Civil Liability Amendment Bill, Second Reading, Hansard, Legislative Council, 4 December 2003. Varma R, Gupta JK, "Failed sterilisation: evidence-based review and medico-legal ramifications", BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (December 2004), Vol 111: 1322-32. Varma R, Gupta JK, "Predicting negligence in female sterilization failure using time interval to sterilization failure: analysis of 131 cases", Human Reproduction (2007) 22(9): 2437-43. Category: Principal judgment Parties: Dr Nita Dhupar (Appellant)