Olson v CSR Ltd and Anor [1994] NSWDDT 1

Dust Diseases Tribunal New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Olson v CSR Ltd and Anor [1994] NSWDDT 1 Hearing dates: 5-10, 12-16, 21-24/12/1994 Decision date: 24 December 1994 Before: O'Meally P Decision: Verdict and judgment for the plaintiff Catchwords: DUST DISEASES TRIBUNAL - Mesothelioma - Environmental and domestic exposure to asbestos dust and fibre - Plaintiff as a child inhaled asbestos tailings dust in streets, back yard, own household and from father's work clothes - Relationship between defendants - Duty of care of both defendants towards workforce - Whether duty of care extends to workers' families and other residents - Whether duty of care owed to plaintiff - Foreseeability of risk - Knowledge of dangers of exposing residents to blue asbestos - Diseases of like class and character - Breach of duty - Failure to warn child's mother of danger of exposure to asbestos Cases Cited: Bonnington Castings ltd v Wardlaw [1956] AC 613 Burnicle v Cutelli [1982] 2 NSWLR 26 Burnie Port Authority v General Jones Pty Ltd (1994) 179 CLR 520 Doughty v Turner manufacturing Co Ltd [1964] 1 QB 518 Ellis v Wallsend District Hospital (1989) 17 NSWLR 553 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Minister Administering v San Sebastian Pty Ltd [1983] 2 NSWLR 268 Griffiths v Kerkemeyer (1977) 139 CLR 161 Heys and Barrow v CSR Ltd and Midalco Pty Ltd (unreported, Supreme Court of Western Australia, Rowland J, 4 August 1988) Mt Isa Mines v Pusey (1970) 125 CLR 383 Nader v Urban Transit Authority (NSW) (1985) 2 NSWLR 501 Polemis and Furness, Withy & Co Ltd, Re [1921] 3 KB 560 Rowe v McCartney [1976] 2 NSWLR 72 Sutherland Shire Council v Heyman (1985) 157 CLR 424 Van Girvan v Fenton (1992) 175 CLR 327 Wyong Shire Council v Shirt (1980) 146 CLR 40 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Vivien Margaret Olson (Plaintiff) CSR Ltd (First Defendant) Midalco Pty Ltd (Second Defendant) Representation: J T Rush, QC with A J Bartley and A J Katzmann appeared for the Plaintiff J Poulos, QC with J J E Fernon and R Sergi appeared for the First and Second defendants Turner Freeman for the Plaintiff Ebsworth & Ebsworth for the First and Second Defendants File Number(s): 72/1994