Ansett Australia v Dale [2001] NSWCA 314

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Ansett Australia v Dale [2001] NSWCA 314 FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40331/00 HEARING DATE(S) : 30 May 2001 JUDGMENT DATE : 14 September 2001

Ansett Australia Limited (Appellant) PARTIES : v Margaret Anne Dale (as Executrix of the Estate of the late Phillip Mewburn Dale) (Respondent) JUDGMENT OF : Powell JA at 1; Davies AJA at 19; Ipp AJA at 48

LOWER COURT JURISDICTION : Compensation Court LOWER COURT 42302/98 FILE NUMBER(S) : LOWER COURT Davidson CCJ JUDICIAL OFFICER :

COUNSEL : A: Mr J D Hislop QC, Mr N Chen R: Mr L King SC, Mr R F Wilkins SOLICITORS : A: Gillis Delaney Brown R: Jones Staff & Co CATCHWORDS : Workers Compensation - worker died shortly after receiving head injury - whether worker suffered brain damage - whether injury was permanent - whether worker could recover 100% as a most extreme case - whether employee's and dependant's rights amounted to double compensation - whether employee's claim for 100% compensation was inconsistent with the Human Tissue Act 1983 - whether error of law in award of 100% compensation. Workers Compensation Act 1987, ss 25, 66, 67, Table LEGISLATION CITED : Compensation Court Act 1984, s 32 Human Tissue Act 1983, s33 United Collieries Limited v Simpson [1909] AC 383 Schlenert v H G Watson Contracting Co. Pty Ltd (1979) 1 NSWLR 140 TNT Australia Pty Ltd v Estate of Horne (1995) 36 NSWLR 630 Bresmac Pty Ltd v Starr (1992) 29 NSWLR 318 State of NSW t/as NSW Department of Agriculture v Allen (2000) 20 NSWCCR 314 CASES CITED: Hillier v Gosford City Council (NSWCC, 22/6/98, unrep) Bourke v State Rail Authority (NSW) (1999) 18 NSWCCR 429 Rolfe v Metropolitan Meat Industry Board [1958] 32 WCR (NSW) 135 Australian Gas Light Company v The Valuer-General (1940) 40 SR(NSW) 126 Hope v Bathurst City Council (1980) 144 CLR 1 Collector of Customs v Pozzolanic Enterprises Pty Ltd (1993) 43 FCR 280 Langdon v State of NSW (1996) 13 NSWCCR 552 DECISION : Appeal dismissed with costs.