Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd v Taylor [2004] NSWCA 347

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd v Taylor [2004] NSWCA 347 HEARING DATE(S) : 5 August 2004 JUDGMENT DATE : 29 September 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Handley JA at 1; Stein AJA at 47; Gzell J at 95 DECISION : 1. Appeal allowed in part.; 2. Judgment for the plaintiff in the District Court for $464,982.66 set aside except as to costs.; 3. In lieu thereof substitute judgment for the plaintiff for $252,584.41 with effect from 12 August 2003.; 4. The respondent is to pay one-third of the appellant's costs of the appeal but to have a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act 1951.

CATCHWORDS : NEGLIGENCE - safe system of work - recognised risks of overuse injury - worker not advised of risks - worker not told to use safer methods of work - employer in breach of duty - ND LEGISLATION CITED : Workers Compensation Act 1987 H G v The Queen (1999) 197 CLR 414 Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles (2001) 52 NSWLR 705 CASES CITED : Moran v McMahon (1985) 3 NSWLR 700 Paric v John Holland (Constructions) Pty Ltd (1985) 59 ALJR 844 The Owners - Strata Plan 156 v Gray [2004] NSWCA 304 Wyong Shire Council v Shirt (1980) 146 CLR 40 PARTIES : Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd (Appellant) Colleen Taylor (Respondent) FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40780/03 COUNSEL : J E Maconacchie QC/H Halligan/M McFadden (Appellant) J L Glissan QC/A R Reoch (Respondent) SOLICITORS : Hicksons (Appellant) John Dowling (Respondent)

LOWER COURT District Court JURISDICTION : LOWER COURT DC 8251/02 FILE NUMBER(S) : LOWER COURT Graham DCJ JUDICIAL OFFICER :