Cox v DAC Finance (NSW/QLD) Pty Limited & Anor [2024] NSWDC 22

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Cox v DAC Finance (NSW/QLD) Pty Limited & Anor [2024] NSWDC 22 Hearing dates: 23, 24, 26 October 2023 Written submissions concluded on 21 November 2023 Date of orders: 16 February 2024 Decision date: 16 February 2024 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Acting Judge Levy SC Decision: See paragraph [241] for orders Catchwords: TORTS – negligence – occupiers' liability – plaintiff suffered jolting axial injury to her lumbar spine whilst standing in a descending elevator which stopped suddenly without warning following implementation of a planned power interruption to test the functionality of an alternative power supply; EXPERT EVIDENCE – resolution of conflicting opinions by medical experts where not all experts gave oral evidence; DAMAGES – assessment of claimed heads of damage Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), s 5B, s5D, s 13, s 16 District Court Act 1973 (NSW), s 51(2)(b) and s 51(4) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 60 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 31.27, Sch 7, cl 3(e) and 5(1)(c), r 42.1 Workers' Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), s 151Z Cases Cited: Australian Safeway Stores Pty Ltd v Zaluzna [1987] HCA 7; (1987) 162 CLR 479 Cupac v Cannone [2015] NSWCA 114 Dasreef Pty Ltd v Hawchar (2011) 243 CLR 588; [2011] HCA 21 Daw v Toyworld (NSW) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 25 Hamilton v Nuroof (WA) Pty Ltd (1956) 96 CLR 18; [1956] HCA 42 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 Nadjovski v Crnojlovic [2008] NSWCA 75 Podbrebersek v Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 34; (1985) 59 ALJR 529 Strong v Woolworths Ltd (2012) 246 CLR 182; [2012] HCA 5 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Patricia Cox (Plaintiff) DAC Finance (NSW/QLD) Pty Limited (First Defendant) DAC Finance Pty Limited (Second Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr M Hammond (Plaintiff) Mr D Priestley SC (Defendants)