Grima v RFI (Aust) Pty Ltd [2013] NSWSC 1199

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Grima v RFI (Aust) Pty Ltd [2013] NSWSC 1199 Hearing dates: 22-24 July & 20-22 August 2013 Decision date: 02 September 2013 Before: Harrison J Decision: 1. Verdict for the plaintiff. 2. Declare that the amount of the respective contributions recoverable as between RFI and Allied on the cross-claims joined between them as just and equitable having regard to the extent of their responsibility for the plaintiff's damage is 50 percent each. 3. Direct the parties to bring in short minutes of order giving effect to my conclusions within seven days. Catchwords: TORTS - industrial accident - where plaintiff injured unloading truck - whether manner of loading by trucking company negligent - whether employer failed to instruct plaintiff in proper method of unloading - TORTFEASORS - cross-claims for contribution or indemnity - causal potency of two distinct sets of circumstances involving breaches of distinct duties of care - CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE - whether plaintiff contributed to his own loss and damage Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 Workers Compensation Act 1987 Cases Cited: Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Moubarak [2009] HCA 48; (2009) 239 CLR 420 Andar Transport Pty Ltd v Brambles Ltd [2004] HCA 28; (2004) 217 CLR 424 Commissioner of Railways v Ruprecht [1979] HCA 37; (1979) 142 CLR 563. Coregas Pty Ltd v Penford Australia Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 350 Czatyrko v Edith Cowan University [2005] HCA 14; (2005) 79 ALJR 839 Hamilton v Nuroof (WA) Pty Ltd [1956] HCA 42; (1956) 96 CLR 18 Kondis v State Transport Authority [1984] HCA 61; (1984) 154 CLR 672 Manly Council v Byrne [2004] NSWCA 123 McLean v Tedman & Brambles Holdings Ltd [1984] HCA 60; (1984) 155 CLR 306 Podrebersek v Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 34; (1985) 59 ALJR 492 Stephens v Giovenco [2011] NSWCA 53 Strong v Woolworths Ltd [2012] HCA 5; (2012) 246 CLR 182. Category: Principal judgment Parties: Carmel Grima (Plaintiff) RFI (Aust) Pty Ltd (Defendant) Allied Overnight Express Pty Ltd (Cross-defendant) Representation: P Hennessy SC wtih S Maybury (Plaintiff) M McCulloch SC with J Chapman (Defendant) J Guihot (Cross-defendant) Edwards Michael (Plaintiff) Walker Hedges & Co (Defendant) DLA Piper (Cross-defendant) File Number(s): 2011/20153