Seng v P & M Quality Smallgoods Pty Ltd & Anor [2011] NSWDC 175

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Seng v P & M Quality Smallgoods Pty Ltd & Anor [2011] NSWDC 175 Hearing dates: 11, 12, 13 April, 27 July 2011, and subsequent written submissions Decision date: 18 November 2011 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Levy SC DCJ Decision: See paragraph [229] of the judgment for orders. Catchwords: TORTS - workplace injury -injured worker struck from behind by a heavily laden meat trolley pushed by another employee in a sausage factory - whether injury due to negligence of the defendants - whether apportionment of employer's contribution required pursuant to s 151Z(2) of the Workers' Compensation Act 1987; DAMAGES - assessment of claimed heads of damages Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002, s 5B, s 5D, s 5E, s 5Q Evidence Act 1995, s 60 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, Sch 7 cl 5(c) Workplace Injury Management Act 1998 Cases Cited: Browne v Dunn (1893) 6 R 67 Daw v Toyworld (NSW) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 25 Dib Group Pty Ltd v Cole [2009] NSWCA 210 Galea v Bagtrans Pty Limited [2010] NSWCA 350 Goodrich Aerospace Pty Limited v Arsic [2006] NSWCA 187 Modbury Triangle Shopping Centre Pty Ltd v Anzil [2000] HCA 61; 205 CLR 254 Purkess v Crittenden [1965] HCA 34; (1965) 114 CLR 164 Stevens v Brodribb Sawmilling Company Pty Ltd [1986] HCA 1; (1986) 160 CLR 16 Vairy v Wyong Shire Council [2005] 223 CLR 442 Watts v Rake [1960] HCA 58; (1960) 108 CLR 158 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Leap Seng (Plaintiff) P & M Quality Smallgoods Pty Limited (First defendant) The Homebush Unit Trust (Second defendant) Representation: Mr K Andrews (Plaintiff) Ms T Berberian (Defendant) NSW Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) HWL Ebsworth (Defendant) File Number(s): 2009/336435