BROWN v LEWIS [2006] NSWCA 87

Reported Decision : (2006) 65 NSWLR 587

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: BROWN v LEWIS [2006] NSWCA 87

HEARING DATE(S): 9 February 2006

JUDGMENT DATE: 21 April 2006

JUDGMENT OF: Mason P at 1; Santow JA at 86; McColl JA at 87

DECISION: Appeal allowed in part.

CATCHWORDS: NEGLIGENCE – Motor vehicle accidents – Damages – Economic and non-economic loss – Medical assessor's certificates under motor accidents compensation legislation – Conclusivity and evidentiary effect of – Conclusivity extends only to matters certified – Non-certified matters have evidentiary value of a non-conclusive nature – No guide to assessment of quantum of damages – Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999, ss 57-65, 131-135. (D)

LEGISLATION CITED: Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999

MAA Medical Guidelines American Medical Association's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Fourth Edition Hodgson v Crane (2002) 55 NSWLR 199 CASES CITED: Hume v Walton [2005] NSWCA 148 Husher v Husher (1999) 197 CLR 138 Murdoch v Davis [2005] NSWCA 466 State of New South Wales v Moss (2000) 54 NSWLR 536 Watts v Rake (1960) 108 CLR 158

PARTIES: Stephan Mark BROWN v Jake William LEWIS

FILE NUMBER(S): CA 41080/2004

COUNSEL: Appellant: K P Rewell SC/ G Smith Respondent: R Goodridge

SOLICITORS: Appellant: Sparke Helmore Respondent: Firths The Compensation Lawyers

LOWER COURT JURISDICTION: District Court

LOWER COURT FILE NUMBER(S): 98/2003

LOWER COURT JUDICIAL OFFICER: Sidis DCJ

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES COURT OF APPEAL CA 41080/2004 DC 98/2003