Manhattan Homes Pty Limited v Burnett [2024] NSWCA 219

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Manhattan Homes Pty Limited v Burnett [2024] NSWCA 219 Hearing dates: 24 July 2024 Date of orders: 11 September 2024 Decision date: 11 September 2024 Before: Leeming JA at [1]; Harrison CJ at CL at [7]; Price AJA at [114] Decision: (1) Allow the appeal in part. (2) Dismiss the cross-appeal. (3) Direct the parties within seven days to file short minutes of order giving effect to these reasons, including orders for the costs of the appeal. Catchwords: ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES – where plaintiff in the court below seriously injured in a fall on a building site – whether plaintiff contributed by his own negligence to his loss and damage or was merely inadvertent when performing work duties – whether plaintiff retained residual earning capacity – whether damages awarded for future economic loss, future domestic assistance and out-of-pocket expenses were manifestly excessive TORTFEASORS – contribution between tortfeasors – whether trial judge erred in assessment of respective liability between occupier of building site and plaintiff's employer CROSS-APPEAL – damages for non-economic loss – whether trial judge erred in assessment of percentage of a most extreme case – whether plaintiff established that gratuitous attendant care services would not have been provided but for his injury Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 5R, 15, 16 Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1946 (NSW), s 5 Statutory Duties (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945 (NSW) Cases Cited: Avopiling Limited v Bosevski [2018] NSWCA 146 Burnett v Manhattan Homes Pty Ltd [2023] NSWSC 1431 Caswell v Powell Duffryn Associated Collieries Ltd [1940] A.C. 152 Commissioner for Railways (Qld) v Ruprecht (1979) 142 CLR 563; [1979] HCA Council for the City of Greater Taree v Wells [2010] NSWCA 147 Dell v Dalton (1991) 23 NSWLR 528 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 Joslyn v Berryman (2003) 214 CLR 552; [2003] HCA 34 Malec v JC Hutton Pty Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 638; [1990] HCA 20 McLean v Tedman (1984) 155 CLR 306; [1984] HCA 6 Mead v Kerney [2012] NSWCA 215; Kallouf v Middis [2008] NSWCA 61 Metaxoulis v McDonalds Australia Limited [2015] NSWCA 95 Miller v Galderisi [2009] NSWCA 353 Owners - Strata Plan 156 v Gray [2004] NSWCA 304 Rabay v Bristow [2005] NSWCA 199 Sungravure Pty Ltd v Meani (1964) 110 CLR 24; [1964] HCA 16 Waco Kwikform Ltd v Perigo [2014] NSWCA 140 White v Redding (2019) 99 NSWLR 605; [2019] NSWCA 152 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Manhattan Homes Pty Limited (ACN 097 477 417) (Appellant / First Cross-respondent) Gary Burnett (First Respondent / Cross-appellant) The Griswold's Outdoor Xmas Pty Ltd (ACN 106 927 155) (Second Respondent / Second Cross-appellant) Representation: Counsel: J Sexton SC with J Sleight (Appellant / First Cross-respondent) R Sheldon SC with E Welsh and W Lidden (First Respondent / Cross-appellant) I Todd (Second Respondent / Second Cross appellant)