BI (CONTRACTING) PTY LTD v Eileen Sylvia STRIKWERDA & ANOR [2005] NSWCA 288

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: BI (CONTRACTING) PTY LTD v Eileen Sylvia STRIKWERDA & ANOR [2005] NSWCA 288

HEARING DATE(S): 10 June 2005

JUDGMENT DATE: 9 September 2005

JUDGMENT OF: Mason P at 1; Santow JA at 44; Bell J at 45

DECISION: Appeal upheld.

CATCHWORDS: NEGLIGENCE - damages - death as a result of a dust-related condition - survival of cause of action - s3(2) Survival of Causes of Action Act 1940 (SA) - dependant's action per Civil Liability Act 1936 (SA) - damages offset because of pecuniary benefits passing to the plaintiff as beneficiary under an intestacy - estate swollen with the proceeds of the deceased's action - uncertainty as to the size of the distributable estate - onus of establishing the estate's capacity to pay the plaintiff - evidentiary stand-off at trial - location of evidentiary onus - computation of damages issue - whether mitigation of damages issue - persuasive burden and evidentiary burden - proof of financial loss required proof of share as a beneficiary of the deceased's estate. (ND)

Dust Diseases Tribunal Act 1989, s32 Survival of Causes of Action Act 1940 (SA) Wrongs Act 1936 (SA) LEGISLATION CITED: Civil Liability Act 1936 (SA) Administration and Probate Act 1919 (SA) Luntz, Assessment of Damages for Personal Injury and Death 4th ed, [9.5.31] McCormick on Evidence 5th ed §338

BI (Contracting) Pty Ltd v PHR Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 304 Blatch v Archer (1774) 1 Cowp 63 at 65; 98 ER 969 at 970 Cattanach v Melchior (2003) 215 CLR 1 Davies v Powell Duffryn Associated Colleries Ltd [1942] AC 601 De Sales v Ingrilli (2002) 212 CLR 338 DP v Commonwealth Central Authority (2001) 206 CLR 401 CASES CITED: Nunan v Gerblich (1974) 10 SASR 39 at 53 Purkess v Crittenden (1965) 114 CLR 164 Public Trustee v Zoanetti (1945) 70 CLR 266 Russo v Aiello (2003) 215 CLR 643 at 647[11]. Strikwerda v B I (Contracting) Pty Ltd & Ors [2004] NSWDDT 50 Watts v Rake (1960) 108 CLR 158