Towell v Schuetrumpe [2006] NSWDC 159

New South Wales District Court

CITATION: Towell v Schuetrumpe [2006] NSWDC 159

HEARING DATE(S): 11-12 December 2006

JUDGMENT DATE: 20 December 2006

JUDGMENT OF: Rein SC DCJ

DECISION: Plaintiff's motion dismissed.

CATCHWORDS: Whether Review Panel's approach to assessment under Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 was flawed because need for new prosthetic hip was determined by Review Panel as not having been caused by the motor vehicle accident - Whether procedural unfairness in approach of Review Panel - Observations on approach to Guidelines dealing with pre-existing conditions in the context of pre-existing prostheses - Appropriateness of early notice of motion in dealing with issues under s 61(4)

LEGISLATION CITED: Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999, ss 58, 60, 61, 62, 63, 131

Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Crazzi [2006] NSWSC 1090 Applicant VEAL of 2002 v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (2005) 222 ALR 411; [2005] HCA 72 Brown v Lewis [2006] NSWCA 87 Commissioner for Australian Capital Territory Revenue v Alphaone Pty Ltd (1994) 49 FCR 576 Darke v El Debal (2006) 153 IR 73; [2006] NSWCA 86 CASES CITED: Maffra v Egan (No 1) [2006] NSWDC 22 Mahon v Air New Zealand Ltd [1984] AC 808; (1983) 50 ALR 193 Murdoch v Davis (2005) 44 MVR 415; [2005] NSWCA 466 NRMA Insurance Ltd v Motor Accidents Authority of NSW (2004) 61 NSWLR 264; [2004] NSWSC 567 Pham v Shui (unreported, DCNSW, 7/11/05) Re Refugee Review Tribunal; Ex parte Aala (2000) 204 CLR 82; [2000] HCA 57 Richards v Webster (unreported, 2/08/05, NSWDC)