Zurich Australian Insurance Limited v The Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer [2013] NSWSC 915

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Zurich Australian Insurance Limited v The Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer [2013] NSWSC 915 Hearing dates: 24 June 2013 Decision date: 05 July 2013 Jurisdiction: Equity Division Before: Rein J Decision: 1. Judgment in favour of the plaintiff. 2. Orders the defendant is to pay the plaintiff $285238.94 (of which $52, 451.77 is interest) 3. Orders the defendant to pay the plaintiff's costs on the usual basis. Catchwords: INSURANCE - whether the defendant (worker's compensation insurer) was liable to contribute to the payment made by the plaintiff (motor vehicle insurer) to an injured passenger in the insured vehicle.

CONTRACT - whether the defendant insurer was contractually bound to contribute to the amount paid by the plaintiff insurer to the third party. Legislation Cited: Employees Liability Act 1991 (NSW) Motor Accidents Act 1988 (NSW) Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW) Workers Compensation Regulation 2003 (NSW) Cases Cited: Albion Insurance Co Limited v Government Insurance Office of NSW (1969) 121 CLR 342 Allianz Australia Workers Compensation (NSW) Ltd v NRMA Insurance Ltd [2007] ACTSC 2 Allianz Australia Workers Compensation (NSW) Ltd v NRMA Insurance Ltd [2008] ACTCA 10 AMP Workers Compensation Services (NSW) Limited v QBE Insurance Limited (2001) 53 NSWLR 35 Burger King Corporation v Hungry Jack's Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 187; (2001) 69 NSWLR 558 Burke v LFOT Pty Limited (2002) 209 CLR 282; (2002) 187 ALR 612; (2002) 76 ALJR 749; (2002) 23(7) Leg Rep 12; [2002] ANZ ConvR 319; (2002) ATPR 41-869; (2002) Aust Contract R 90-145; [2002] HCA 17 Byrne & Frew v Australian Airlines Limited [1995] 185 CLR 410 Cordon Investments Pty Ltd v Lesdor Properties Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 184 Friend v Brooker (2009) 239 CLR 129; (2009) 255 ALR 601; (2009) 83 ALJR 724; (2009) 72 ACSR 1; [2009] HCA 21 Mercantile Mutual Insurance (Australia) Ltd v QBE Workers' Compensation (NSW) Limited [2004] NSWCA 409; (2004) 61 NSWLR 655 QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd v Lumley General Insurance Ltd (2009) 24 VR 326; (2009) 256 ALR 574; [2009] VSCA 124 Renard Constructions (ME) Pty Ltd v Minister for Public Works (1992) 26 NSWLR 234 United Group Rail Services Ltd v Rail Corporation New South Wales (2009) 74 NSWLR 618; [2009] NSWCA 177 Workcover Queensland v Suncorp Metway Insurance Ltd (2005) 43 MVR 363; [2005] 2 Qd R 210; [2005] QCA 155 Zurich Australian Insurance v GIO General Limited [2011] NSWCA 47 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (plaintiff) The Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer (defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr G. Watson SC and Mr B. Hull (plaintiff) Mr Darke SC (defendant) Solicitors: George Mallos Lawyer (plaintiff) Moray & Agnew (defendant) File Number(s): 2012/198610