Dunbar v. Brown [2004] NSWCA 103

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Dunbar v. Brown [2004] NSWCA 103 HEARING DATE(S) : 10 March 2004 JUDGMENT DATE : 2 April 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Mason P at 1; Beazley JA at 2; Young CJ in Eq at 33 DECISION : 1. Grant leave to amend the Notice of appeal.; 2. Appeal allowed in part.; 3. Set aside the judgment for the respondent against the appellant in the sum of $162,780.04.; 4. Confirm the verdict in favour of the respondent against the appellant.; 5. Order Judgment for the respondent in the sum of $138,363.03; 6. Otherwise dismiss the appeal.; 7. Order the respondent to pay 40% of the appellant's costs of the appeal. Respondent to have a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act (NSW) 1951

CATCHWORDS : NEGLIGENCE - Duty of care of tow-truck operator - Breach of duty - Use of vehicle-owner to assist. - CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE. - DAMAGES - Serious injury - Good recovery but ongoing disability - Whether assessment of 33% of a most serious case appropriate - Future economic loss - Impact of injury upon remaining working life - Whether buffer appropriate. LEGISLATION CITED : Civil Liability Act 2002 PARTIES : Wayne Dunbar (Appellant) Julie Rosaleen Brown (Respondent) FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40378/2003 COUNSEL : S. Campbell SC/D. Cutler (Appellant) C. Hoeben SC/K. Thompson (Respondent) SOLICITORS : Curwood & Partners (Appellant) Carroll & O'Dea (Respondent)

LOWER COURT District Court JURISDICTION : LOWER COURT CLD1790/2002 FILE NUMBER(S) : LOWER COURT Walmsley DCJ JUDICIAL OFFICER :

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES COURT OF APPEAL CA40378/2003 CLD 1790/2002