O'LEARY v OOLONG ABORIGINAL CORPORATION INC [2004] NSWCA 7

Reported Decision : (2004) Aust Torts Reports 81-747

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : O'LEARY v OOLONG ABORIGINAL CORPORATION INC [2004] NSWCA 7 HEARING DATE(S) : 29 September 2003 JUDGMENT DATE : 14 May 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Spigelman CJ at 1; Sheller JA at 25; McColl JA at 68 DECISION : Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS : EMPLOYEE - psychiatric illness - conduct of employer resulting in workplace stress - distinction between stress and a recognised psychiatric illness - where employees existing mental disorder known to employer - foreseeability of psychiatric illness - whether far-fetched and fanciful LEGISLATION CITED : N/A Gifford v Strang Patrick Stevedoring Pty Ltd (2003) 77 ALJR 1205 Mannall v State of New South Wales [2001] NSWCA 327 McLoughlin v O'Brian [1983] 1 AC 410 Mount Isa Mines Ltd v Pusey (1970) 125 CLR 383 CASES CITED : New South Wales v Paige (2002) Aust Torts Rep 81-676 State of New South Wales v Seedsman [2000] NSWCA 119 Sullivan v Moody (2001) 207 CLR 562 Tame v New South Wales; Annetts v Australian Stations Pty Ltd (2002) 211 CLR 317 Van Soest v Residual Health Management Unit [2000] 1 NZLR 179 Wyong Shire Council v Shirt (1980) 146 CLR 40 PARTIES : Barry James O'Leary - Appellant Oolong Aboriginal Corporation Inc - Respondent FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 41090/02 COUNSEL : K P Rewell SC/A R Beardow - Appellant P J O'Connor - Respondent SOLICITORS : Nagle & McGuire - Appellant A O Ellison & Co - Respondent