WALLER v JAMES [2013] NSWSC 497

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: WALLER v JAMES [2013] NSWSC 497 Hearing dates: 31 January, 1 February, 3-15 February, 17 February, 21-24 February 2012 Decision date: 06 May 2013 Before: Hislop J Decision: 1. Judgment for the defendant 2.The plaintiffs to pay the defendant's costs. Catchwords: Common law - medical negligence - child born with antithrombin deficiency - father known to suffer from that condition - failure of gynaecologist to inform parents or cause parents to be informed prior to conception of the hereditary aspects of the condition - condition alleged to have caused or materially contributed to a stroke suffered by the child some days after birth - claim by parents for the cost of having, raising and caring for the disabled child and for damages for resultant physical and psychological harm to themselves. Legislation Cited: Health Care Liability Act 2001 (NSW) Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1965 (NSW) Social Security Act 1991 (Cth) Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 (Cth) Cases Cited: Waller v James [2006] HCA 16; (2006) 226 CLR 136 Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 8; (1959) 101 CLR 298 Rogers v Whittaker [1992] HCA 58; (1992) 175 CLR 479 Breen v Williams [1996] HCA 57; (1996) 186 CLR 71 Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW v Dederer [2007] HCA 42; (2007) 234 CLR 330 Rosenberg v Percival [2001] HCA 18; (2001) 205 CLR 434 F v R (1983) 33 SASR 189 Tai v Ivy Hatzistavrou [1999] NSWCA 306 Caltex Refineries (Qld) Pty Ltd v Stavar [2009] NSWCA 258 PD v Dr Nicholas Harvey [2003] NSWSC 487 Fox v Percy [2003] HCA 22; 214 CLR 118 Malco Engineering Pty Ltd v Ferreira (1994) 10 NSWCCR 117 Wyong Shire Council v Shirt (1980) 146 CLR 40 Gover v South Australia & Perram (1985) 39 SASR 543 Varipatis v Almario [2013] NSWCA 76 Chappel v Hart [1998] HCA 55, (1998) 195 CLR 232 Luton v Lessels (2002) 210 CLR 333 March v E & MH Stramare Pty Limited (1991) 171 CLR 506 Duyvelshaff v Cathcart & Ritchie Limited (1973) 47 ALJR 410 Tabet v Gett [2010] HCA 12; (2010) 240 CLR 537 Roads and Traffic Authority v Royal (2008) 245 ALR 653 Cattanach v Melchior [2003] HCA 38, (2003) 215 CLR 1 Adelaide Stevedoring Co Ltd v Forst (1940) 64 CLR 538 Banque Bruxelles Lambert SA v Eagle Star Insurance Co Ltd [1997] AC 191 McDonald v Sydney South West Area Health Service [2005] NSWSC 924 G & M v Armellin [2008] ACTSC 68 Rand v East Dorset Health Authority [2000] Lloyds Rep Med 181 Hardman v Amin [2001] PNLR 11 Gaynor N v Warrington Health Authority [2003] Lloyds Rep Med 365 Todorovic v Waller [1981] HCA 72; (1981) 150 CLR 402 Manser v Spry (1994) 181 CLR 428 Harris v Commercial Minerals Ltd (1996) 186 CLR 1 Ervan Warnink BV v J Townsend & Sons (Hull) Ltd (Advocaat case) [1979] AC 731 Esso Australia Resources Limited v Commissioner of Taxation of the Commonwealth of Australia (1999) 201 CLR 49 Moorgate Tobacco Company Limited v Phillip Morris Limited (No 2) (1984) 156 CLR 414 Peters (WA) Limited v Petersville Limited (2001) 205 CLR 126 Griffiths v Kerkemeyer (1977) 139 CLR 161 Sullivan v Gordon [1999] NSWCA 338; (1999) 47 NSWLR 319 CSR Limited v Eddy [2005] HCA 64; (2005) 226 CLR 1 Van Gervan v Fenton (1992) 175 CLR 327 Grincelis v House [2000] HCA 42; (2000) 201 CLR 321 Livingstone v Rawyards Coal Co (1880) 5 App Cas 25 Harriton v Stevens [2006] HCA 15; (2006) 226 CLR 52 Blundell v Musgrave (1956) 96 CLR 73 Tame v New South Wales [2002] HCA 35; (2002) 201 CLR 317 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Deborah Waller (1st Plaintiff) Lawrence Waller (2nd Plaintiff) Christopher James (Defendant) Representation: D. Higgs SC/R. Royle/J. Donnelly (Plaintiffs) J. Kirk SC/V. Thomas (Defendant) Slater & Gordon (Plaintiffs) Blake Dawson (Defendant) File Number(s): 2001/67486