Alelaimat v Synergy Scaffolding Services (No 3) [2022] NSWSC 536

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Alelaimat v Synergy Scaffolding Services (No 3) [2022] NSWSC 536 Hearing dates: 19; 20; 21; 22; 23 October 2020 Date of orders: 5 May 2022 Decision date: 05 May 2022 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Campbell J Decision: (1) Judgment for the plaintiff against the first defendant in the sum of $1,356,533.39; (2) Judgment for the second defendant as against the plaintiff; (3) The first defendant to pay the plaintiff's costs of the proceedings; (4) Declare that the first defendant is bound to indemnify the second defendant in accordance with the provisions of s 151Z(1)(d) Workers' Compensation Act 1987 (NSW) for compensation paid to the plaintiff with interest under s 100 Civil Liability Act 2005 (NSW); (5) Direct the first and second defendants confer with a view to agreeing upon the amount of the judgment necessary to give effect to order (4) and to bring in short minutes of order within 14 days by lodging them electronically to the email of the associate to Campbell J. In default of agreement liberty to apply on a date to be fixed in consultation with Campbell J's associate; (6) Cross-claims otherwise dismissed; (7) The first defendant to pay the second defendant's costs of the cross-claims; (8) Liberty to the parties to apply within 14 days in relation to damages calculations in accordance with my reasons and costs. Catchwords: LIMITATION OF ACTIONS – discoverability – personal injury – when plaintiff "ought to know" facts – whether plaintiff knew that the injury was caused by the fault of the defendant NEGLIGENCE – duty of care – particular relationships – employer and employee – where employer has non-delegable duty of care – whether there was a failure to institute a safe system of work – systemic or casual negligence – question of vicarious liability WORKERS COMPENSATION – injury – personal injury – arising in the course of employment – assessment of damages – possible interplay between ss 151A, 151Z(1)(b) and 151Z(2)(b) of the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW) Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 3B, 5B, 16 Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), s 100 Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1946 (NSW), s 5 Limitation Act 1969 (NSW), ss 50C, 50D Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 60, 151A, 151H, 151Z, 154A, 159 Cases Cited: Andar Transport Pty Ltd v Brambles Ltd (2004) 217 CLR 424; [2004] HCA 28 Baker-Morrison v State of New South Wales (2009) 74 NSWLR 454; [2009] NSWCA 35 Blatch v Archer (1774) 98 ER 969 Bostik Australia Pty Ltd v Liddiard [2009] NSWCA 167 CSR Timber Products Pty Ltd v Weathertex Pty Ltd (2013) 83 NSWLR 433; [2013] NSWCA 49 Dib Group Pty Ltd v Cole [2009] NSWCA 210 Endeavour Energy v Precision Helicopters Pty Ltd (No 2) [2015] NSWCA 357 Fox v Wood (1981) 148 CLR 438; [2001] HCA 41 Gallagher Bassett Services NSW Pty Ltd v Murdock (2013) 86 NSWLR 13; [2013] NSWCA 386 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298; [1959] HCA 8 Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd v Fox (2009) 240 CLR 1; [2009] HCA 35 Mersey Docks and Harbour Board v Coggins and Griffith (Liverpool) Ltd (1947) AC 1 Najdovski v Crnojlovic (2008) 72 NSWLR 728; [2008] NSWCA 175 Oceanic Crest Shipping Co v Pilbara Harbour Services Pty Ltd (1986) 160 CLR 626; [1986] HCA 34 Public Transport Commission of New South Wales v J Murray-More (NSW) Pty Ltd (1975) 132 CLR 336; [1975] HCA 28 Prince Alfred College Incorporated v ADC (2016) 258 CLR 134; [2016] HCA 37 Pullen v Gutteridge, Haskins and Davey Pty Ltd [1993] 1 VR 27 Schellenberg v Tunnel Holdings Pty Ltd (2000) 200 CLR 121; [2000] HCA 18 Segal t/as Segal Litton & Chilton v Fleming [2002] NSWCA 262 Seltsam Pty Ltd v Ghaleb [2005] NSWCA 208; (2005) 3 DDCR 1 Shoalhaven City Council v Humphries [2013] NSWCA 390 South West Helicopters Pty Ltd v Stephenson (2017) 98 NSWLR 1; [2017] NSWCA 312 State of New South Wales v Gillett [2012] NSWCA 83 Stevens v Brodribb Sawmilling Co Pty Ltd (1986) 160 CLR 16; [1986] HCA 1 Swain v Waverley Municipal Council (2005) 220 CLR 517; [2005] HCA 4 TNT Australia Pty Ltd v Christie (2003) 65 NSWLR 1; [2003] NSWCA 47 Wynn v NSW Insurance Ministerial Corporation (1995) 184 CLR 485; [1995] HCA 53 Wyong Shire Council v Shirt (1980) 146 CLR 40; [1980] HCA 12 Texts Cited: Nil Category: Principal judgment Parties: Bilal Alelaimat (Plaintiff) Synergy Scaffolding Services Pty Ltd (First Defendant) Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer (Second Defendant) Representation: Counsel: D. Toomey SC with D. Morgan (Plaintiff) D.A. Priestley SC (First Defendant) P. Rickard (Second Defendant)