Chapman v Caska [2005] NSWCA 113

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Chapman v Caska [2005] NSWCA 113

HEARING DATE(S): 6 April 2005

JUDGMENT DATE: 12 April 2005

JUDGMENT OF: Beazley JA; Giles JA; Tobias JA

DECISION: (1) Appeal allowed in part; (2) Confirm the verdict in favour of the respondent; (3) Set aside the orders of the trial judge made on 16 March 2004; (4) The appellant to pay the respondent's costs of trial assessed on a party/party basis; (5) The respondent to pay the appellant's costs of the costs application determined on 16 March 2004; (6) The appellant to pay 90% of the respondent's costs of the appeal.

CATCHWORDS: NEGLIGENCE - prescription of drugs by medical practitioner - development of rare condition (avascular necrosis) - duty of care - causation. COSTS - pre-trial offer of compromise - Calderbank letter - whether trial judge erred in ordering indemnity costs - reasonableness of rejecting the offer of compromise. ND

Chappel v Hart (1998) 195 CLR 232; Hobartville Stud v Union Insurance Co (1991) 25 NSWLR 358; House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; CASES CITED: Jones v Bradley (No 2) [2003] NSWCA 258; Leichhardt Municipal Council v Green [2004] NSWCA 341; Seltsam Pty Ltd v McGuinness (2002) 49 NSWLR 262; SMEC Testing Services Pty Ltd v Campbelltown City Council [2000] NSWCA 323;

Norelle Chapman - Appellant PARTIES: John Caska - Defendant

FILE NUMBER(S): CA 41154/03

D Higgs SC & J Clarke - Appellant COUNSEL: MJ M Sandford - Respondent

Charlton Sherman Read - Appellant SOLICITORS: Tresscox Lawyers - Respondent

LOWER COURT JURISDICTION: District Court