PETTIGREW v WENTWORTH SHIRE COUNCIL [2012] NSWSC 624

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: PETTIGREW v WENTWORTH SHIRE COUNCIL [2012] NSWSC 624 Hearing dates: 21 - 24 May 2012 Decision date: 12 June 2012 Before: HOEBEN JA Decision: (1) Judgment in favour of the plaintiff against the defendant in the amount of $770,565.00. (2) I order the defendant to pay the plaintiff's costs as agreed or assessed. (3) I grant leave to the parties to approach the Court within 7 days of the date hereof should any special costs order be sought. Catchwords: TORTS - negligence - plaintiff lost control of motor vehicle - presence of loose gravel on road at difficult corner - claim against the local authority responsible for maintenance of road - whether local authority responsible for gravel being on road - content of duty of care - foreseeability of risk of harm - breach of duty by depositing gravel on road and/or failing to erect appropriate sign - causation - contributory negligence - failure of driver to keep a proper lookout - DAMAGES - nature and extent of injuries - whether residual earning capacity - need for past and future domestic assistance - whether Civil Liability Act threshold for gratuitous domestic assistance satisfied - whether requirements for future medical treatment and equipment reasonable. Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 Cases Cited: Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Moubarak [2009] HCA 48, 239 CLR 420 Brodie v Singleton Shire Council [2001] HCA 29, 206 CLR 512 Husher v Husher [1999] HCA 47, 197 CLR 138 Joslyn v Berryman [2003] HCA 34, 214 CLR 552 Podrebersek v Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 34, 59 ALJR 492 Strong v Woolworths Ltd [2012] HCA 5, 86 ALJR 267 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Scott John Pettigrew - Plaintiff Wentworth Shire Council - Defendant Representation: Counsel: Mr B Dooley SC/ Ms K Balendra - Plaintiff Mr R Sheldon SC - Defendant Solicitors: Maloney Anderson Legal - Plaintiff DLA Piper Australia - Defendant File Number(s): 2010/78091