O'Hagan v Sakker [2011] NSWDC 60

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: O'Hagan v Sakker [2011] NSWDC 60 Hearing dates: 24 February, 15 April, 13 & 27 May 2011 Decision date: 11 July 2011 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Levy SC DCJ Decision: 1.Pursuant to s 60G of the Limitation Act 1969, the time for filing of the plaintiff's proceedings against the defendant is extended to 29 September 2010; 2.Defendant's motion filed on 7 February 2011 seeking to strike out and dismiss the plaintiff's proceedings is dismissed; 3.The defendant is to pay the plaintiff's costs of the motion seeking an extension of time in which to file proceedings; 4.The defendant is to pay the costs of the plaintiff in resisting the defendant's motion filed on 7 February 2011; 5.The exhibits may be returned; 6.Liberty to apply on 7 days notice if further orders are required. Catchwords: LIMITATION OF ACTIONS - alleged negligence in the course of abdominal surgery performed by defendant - retained surgical pack detected in plaintiff's abdominal cavity 15 years later - relevant facts and connection to surgery by defendant ascertained by plaintiff after expiry of limitation period - whether plaintiff is entitled to a grant of leave to proceed against the defendant notwithstanding expiry of limitation period - whether plaintiff's proceedings should be dismissed Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002, s 5O Limitation Act 1969, s 60G, s 60I, s 60L Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, r 13.4, r 14.28 Cases Cited: Adelaide Stevedoring Co Ltd v Forst [1940] HCA 45; (1940) 64 CLR 538 Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor [1996] HCA 25; (1996) 186 CLR 541 CRA v Martignago (1996) 39 NSWLR 13 Commonwealth of Australia v McLean (1997) 41 NSWLR 389 Commonwealth of Australia v Nelson [2001] NSWCA 443 Commonwealth of Australia v Smith [2005] NSWCA 478 per Giles JA at [102] Dobler v Halverson and Ors [2007] NSWCA 335; (2007) 70 NSWLR 151 Drayton Coal Pty Ltd v Drain [1995] NSWCA 131 Elliott v Bickerstaff [1999] NSWCA 453 General Steel Industries Inc v Commissioner for Railways (NSW) [1964] HCA 69; (1964) 112 CLR 125 Gretton v The Commonwealth [2005] NSWSC 437 Holt v Wynter [2000] NSWCA 143; (2000) 49 NSWLR 128 Ingram v Fitzgerald (1936) NZLR 905 Mason v Demasi [2009] NSWCA 227 Strinic v Singh [2009] NSWCA 15 Van Wyk v Lewis (1924) App D (S Af) 438 Category: Interlocutory applications Parties: Helen Caroline Anne O'Hagan (Plaintiff) Samuel Sakker (Defendant) Representation: Mr P Mansfield (Plaintiff) Mr EC Muston (Defendant) Shaw McDonald (Plaintiff) Avant Law Pty Ltd (Defendant) File Number(s): 2010/321304