Fattouh v Neffati [2002] NSWSC 860

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Fattouh v Neffati [2002] NSWSC 860 CURRENT JURISDICTION: Common Law FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 14856/92 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 November 2001 18 February 2002 HEARING DATE(S) : 9 April 2002 4 June 2002 6 August 2002 JUDGMENT DATE : 20 September 2002

Karen Asermely-Rivera (now Fattouh) (Plaintiff) PARTIES : Moncef Neffati (Defendant)

JUDGMENT OF : Master Harrison

12-16 November 2001 Mr K P Rewell SC with Ms A R Beardow (Plaintiff) COUNSEL : 12-16 November 2001; 18 February 2002; 9 April 2002; 4 June 2002 & 6 August 2002 Mr B J Gross QC with Mr G Bateman (Defendant) 12-16 November 2001 Mr T Barakat of Keddies (Plaintiff)

18 February 2002 & 9 April 2002 Mr T J Goudkamp of Stacks - The Law Firm (Plaintiff)

SOLICITORS : 4 June 2002 & 6 August 2002 Karen Fattouh (Plaintiff in person via telephone link to USA)

12-16 November 2001; 18 February 2002; 9 April 2002; 4 June 2002 & 6 August 2002 Mr N J Delfendahl of Stewart Cuddy & Mockler (Defendant)

CATCHWORDS : Personal injury - motor vehicle accident - assessment - Background - Pre-accident employment - The accident - Damages - Non economic loss - Subsequent motor vehicle accidents - Second motor vehicle accident - Texas accident - Third motor vehicle accident - Fourth motor accident - Medical reports - orthopaedic - psychiatric - Past and future medical expenses - Domestic care - Economic loss - Past economic loss LEGISLATION CITED : Motor accidents Act 1988 - s 45(2A); s 79 Tubemakers of Australia Ltd v Fernandez (1976) 50 ALJR 720; 10 ALR 303 Reynolds Metals Co v Ellis 202 F 3d 1246 (2000) CASES CITED : FMC Medical Plan v Owens 122 F 3d 1258, 1262 (1997) Cement Masons Health and Welfare Trust Fund for Northern California v Stone 197 F 3d 1003, 1008 (1999) Hiney Printing v Brantner 75 F Supp 2d 761 (1999) Westendorf v Stasson 330 NW 2d 699, 703 (1983) DECISION : (1) The defendant is to pay the plaintiff the sum of AUS$132,871.00 for damages; (2) Costs are reserved.