R.E. Batger Pty. Ltd. v. Khayat [2004] NSWCA 276

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : R.E. Batger Pty. Ltd. v. Khayat [2004] NSWCA 276 HEARING DATE(S) : 29 June 2004 JUDGMENT DATE : 16 August 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Giles JA at 1; Hodgson JA at 2; Pearlman AJA at 43 DECISION : 1. Appeal allowed. 2. Verdict and judgment below set aside, and in lieu thereof verdict and judgment for the appellant, the respondent to pay the appellant's costs of the proceedings. 3. Respondent to pay appellant's costs of appeal, and to have a certificate under the Suitors Fund Act if otherwise entitled.

CATCHWORDS : WORKERS' COMPENSATION - Common law damages - Appeal - Whether adequate reasons given for accepting plaintiff's evidence over contrary evidence on behalf of defendant - Whether adequate reasons for finding unsafe system of work - Whether thresholds for damages passed. PARTIES : R.E. Batger Pty. Ltd. - appellant Amer Khayat - respondent FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40999/03 COUNSEL : Mr. G. Watson SC with Mr. D. Wilkins for appellant Mr. M. Cranitch SC with Mr. R.F. Wilkins for respondent SOLICITORS : Hunt & Hunt, Sydney for appellant Max Emanual, Wentworth Falls for respondent

LOWER COURT District Court JURISDICTION : LOWER COURT DC 145/01 FILE NUMBER(S) : LOWER COURT Graham DCJ JUDICIAL OFFICER :

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES COURT OF APPEAL CA 40999/03 DC 145/01

GILES JA HODGSON JA PEARLMAN AJA

Monday 16 August 2004 R.E. BATGER PTY. LTD. V. KHAYAT Judgment 1 GILES JA: I agree with Hodgson JA. 2 HODGSON JA: On 27 July 2003, Graham DCJ gave judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of $235,342.52 in proceedings in which the respondent had sued the appellant his employer in respect of a work place injury. The appellant appeals to this Court from that judgment.