Hodson v Hurex Pty Ltd and Lederer Pty Ltd [2024] NSWDC 143

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Hodson v Hurex Pty Ltd and Lederer Pty Ltd [2024] NSWDC 143 Hearing dates: 26 February– 1 March, 5 March – 6 March, 16 April 2024 Date of orders: 26 April 2024 Decision date: 26 April 2024 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Fitzsimmons SC DCJ Decision: (1) Verdict and judgment for the plaintiff against the first and second defendant to be the subject of agreed calculations based on my findings in this judgment. (2) Verdict and judgment for the cross-claimant against the cross-defendant on the cross claim. (3) The parties are to agree on short minutes of order reflecting my findings within 14 days. (4) The first and second defendant are to pay the plaintiffs costs of the proceedings. (5) Any application for an alternative or additional costs order is to be made in writing within 14 days. Catchwords: CIVIL – claim for pure mental harm – normal fortitude test – recognised psychiatric injury – liability of host employer – liability of employer – non delegable duty of care – whether psychiatric injury caused by exposure to traumatic scene – assessment of non-economic loss – economic loss Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 3B, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5R, 13, 32 Workers Compensation Act 1987, s 151G Cases Cited: Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Moubarak [2009] HCA 48; 239 CLR 420 Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr (2012) 83 NSWLR 302; [2012] NSWCA 13 Avopiling Pty Ltd v Bosevski; Avopiling Pty Ltd v The Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer [2018] NSWCA 146; [2018] NSWCA 146 Blacktown City Council v Hocking [2008] NSWCA 144 Capar v SPG Investments Pty Ltd t/as Lidcombe Power Centre [2020] NSWCA 354 Chen by her tutor Huang v Kmart Australia Ltd [2023] NSWCA 96 Container Terminals Australia Ltd v Huseyin [2008] NSWCA 320 Council of the City of Greater Taree v Wells [2010] NSWCA 147 Dib Group Pty Ltd Trading as Hill & Co v Cole (2009) Aus Torts Reports 82-022; [2009] NSWCA 210 FBIS International Protective Services (Aust) Pty Ltd v Hennessy [2015] NSWCA 253 Fox v Wood (1981) 148 CLR 438 Graham v Baker (1961) 106 CLR 340 Hadid v State of New South Wales [2024] NSWCA 73 Karpik v Carnival PLC (The Ruby Princess) (IT) [2023] FCA 1280 Kondis v State Transport Authority (1984) 154 CLR 672 Lapore v State of New South Wales (2001) 52 NSWLR 420 Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd v Fox (2009) 240 CLR 1; [2009] HCA 35 March v Stramare (E & MH) Pty Ltd (1991) 171 CLR 506 Mason v Demasi [2009] NSWCA 227 Mead v Kerney [2012] NSWCA 215 Mount Owen Pty Ltd v Parks [2023] NSWCA 77 Optus Administration Pty Ltd v Glen Wright by his tutor James Stuart Wright [2017] NSWCA 21 Patrick Stevedores Operations (No 2) Pty Ltd v Hennessy Podrebersek v Australian Iron and Steel Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 34; 59 ALJR 492 Sdrolias v Power Distribution Services Pty Limited [2021] NSWSC 321 State of New South Wales v Moss (2000) 54 NSWLR 536; [2000] NSWCA 133 Strong v Woolworths Ltd [2012] HCA 5; (2012) CLR 183 Tame v New South Wales and Annetts v Australian Stations Pty Limited (2002) 211 CLR 317; [2002] HCA 35 TNT Australia Pty Ltd v Christie (2003) 65 NSWLR 1; [2003] NSWCA 47 Top Hut Banoon Pastoral Co Pty Ltd t/as Trustee for the Wakefield Family Trust v Walker [2021] NSWCA 296 Wallace v Kam [2012] NSWCA 82 White v Redding [2019] NSWCA 152 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Andrew Hodson (Plaintiff) Hurex Pty Ltd (First Defendant) Lederer Pty Ltd (Second Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr D Campbell SC with Ms J L Magee (Plaintiff) Mr J J Ryan (First Defendant) Mr S E McCarthy (Second Defendant)