Dobler v Kenneth Halverson and Ors; Dobler v Kurt Halverson (by his tutor) [2007] NSWCA 335

Reported Decision: 70 NSWLR 151

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Dobler v Kenneth Halverson and Ors; Dobler v Kurt Halverson (by his tutor) [2007] NSWCA 335

HEARING DATE(S): 6 and 11 September 2007

JUDGMENT DATE: 26 November 2007

JUDGMENT OF: Giles JA at 1; Ipp JA at 138; Basten JA at 139

DECISION: Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS: NEGLIGENCE - medical negligence - loss of consciousness events - whether general practitioner in breach of duty in failing to refer patient for an ECG - whether if had referred the ECG would have revealed condition from which patient later suffered cardiac arrest - operation of s 50 of Civil Liability Act - appellate review of findings of fact including as to expert evidence - no error in judge's findings.

LEGISLATION CITED: Civil Liability Act 2002, s 50

Adler v Australian Securities and Investments Commission [2003] NSWCA 131; (2003) 46 ASCR 504; Ahmedi v Ahmedi (1991) 23 NSWLR 288; Bolam v Friern Hospital Management Committee (1957) 2 WLR 582; Bolitho v City of Hackney Health Authority (1998) AC 232; Branir Pty Ltd v Owston Nominees (No 2) Pty Ltd (2001) 117 FCR 424; CSR Ltd v Della Maddellena [2006] HCA 1; (2006) 80 ALJR 458; (2006) 224 ALR 1; Duralla Pty Ltd v Plant (1984) 2 FCR 342; Faferriere v Lawson (1991) 1 SCR 541; Flinders Medical Centre v Waller [2005] SASC 155; (2005) SASR 378; Forbes v Selleys Pty Ltd [2004] NSWCA 149; CASES CITED: Fox v Percy [2003] HCA 22; (2003) 214 CLR 118; Jones v Bradley [2003] NSWCA 81; Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles (2001) 52 NSWLR 705; Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs v Hamsher (1992) 35 FCR 359; NAIS v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs [2005] HCA 77; (2005) 80 ALJR 367; (2005) 223 ALR 171; Ramsay v Watson (1961) 108 CLR 642; Rogers v Whitaker (1992) 175 CLR 479; Rufo v Hosking [2004] NSWCA 391; (2004) 61 NSWLR 678; Seltsam Pty Ltd v McGuiness [2000] NSWCA 29; (2000) 49 NSWLR 262; Sidaway v Governors of Bethlem Royal Hospital (1985) AC 871; State of New South Wales v Allen [2000] NSWCA 141; Wiki v Atlantis Relocation (NSW) Pty Ltd [2004] NSWCA 174; (2004) 60 NSWLR 127.