Avril Woodstock v Hospitality Industry Insurance Limited [2024] NSWDC 438

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Avril Woodstock v Hospitality Industry Insurance Limited [2024] NSWDC 438 Hearing dates: 21 – 23 August 2024, 26 August 2024, 18 September 2024 Date of orders: 20 September 2024 Decision date: 20 September 2024 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Fitzsimmons SC DCJ Decision: (1) Verdict and judgment for the plaintiff against the defendant in the sum of $1,466,801. (2) The defendant is to pay the plaintiff's costs as agreed or assessed. (3) Any application for any alternative or additional costs orders is to be made in writing within 14 days. Catchwords: CIVIL – liability of employer – non delegable duty of care – breach of duty of care – causation - contributory negligence – failure to mitigate – assessment of past and future economic loss Legislation Cited: Civil Liability (Third Party Claims Against Insurers) Act 2017, s 5 Workers Compensation Act 1987, s 151 Cases Cited: Czatyrko v Edith Cowan University [2005] HCA 14 Graham v Baker (1961) 106 CLR 340 Jackson v McDonald's Australia Ltd [2014] NSWCA 162 Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd v Fox [2019] 240 CLR 1 March v Stramare (E & MH) Pty Ltd (1991) 171 CLR 506 McLean v Tedman [1994] 56 ALR 359 Medlin v State Government Insurance Commission (1995) 182 CLR 1; 127 ALR 180 Paric v John Holland Constructions Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 58; (1985) 62 ALR 85; 59 ALJR 844 State of New South Wales v Moss (2000) 54 NSWLR 536; [2000] NSWCA 133 Todorovic v Waller (1981) 150 CLR 402 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Avril Woodstock (Plaintiff) Hospitality Industry Insurance Limited (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr P Stockley (Plaintiff) Mr L D Robison (Defendant)