Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer v Nominal Defendant [2013] NSWCA 301

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer v Nominal Defendant [2013] NSWCA 301 Hearing dates: 3 July 2013 Decision date: 11 September 2013 Before: McColl JA at [1], Basten JA at [129], Leeming JA at [141] Decision: Appeal dismissed with costs. [Note: The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 provide (Rule 36.11) that unless the Court otherwise orders, a judgment or order is taken to be entered when it is recorded in the Court's computerised court record system. Setting aside and variation of judgments or orders is dealt with by Rules 36.15, 36.16, 36.17 and 36.18. Parties should in particular note the time limit of fourteen days in Rule 36.16.] Catchwords: TORTS - negligence - motor accidents cases - where worker injured when car struck by another vehicle - details of other driver and vehicle lost - whether vehicle unidentified for purposes of s 34 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 - whether due inquiry and search established

WORKERS COMPENSATION - Employer's right of indemnity against third party for compensation paid - s 151Z(1)(d) Workers Compensation Act 1987 - where worker injured when car struck by another vehicle - details of other driver and vehicle lost - whether worker or employer obliged to undertake due inquiry and search for purposes of s 34 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 - whether due inquiry and search established

DAMAGES - notional assessment of economic loss - where primary judge failed to make allowance for past economic loss Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 Motor Accidents Compensation Amendment (Claims and Dispute Resolution) Act 2007 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Act 1942 Workers Compensation Act 1987 Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (Qld) Workers' Compensation Act 1926 Cases Cited: Aon Risk Services Australia Ltd v Australian National University [2009] HCA 27; (2009) 239 CLR 175 Australian Iron & Steel Ltd v Hoogland [1962] HCA 13; (1962) 108 CLR 471 Blandford v Fox (1944) 45 SR (NSW) 241 Bonnici v Government Insurance Office of New South Wales (Court of Appeal, 16 August 1995, unreported) Cavanagh v Nominal Defendant [1958] HCA 57; (1958) 100 CLR 375 Esso Australia Ltd v Victorian WorkCover Authority [2000] VSCA 74; (2000) 1 VR 246 Fox v Percy [2003] HCA 22; (2003) 214 CLR 118 Franklins Self Serve Pty Ltd v Wyber [1999] NSWCA 390; (1999) 48 NSWLR 249 Fuller v K & J Trucks Coffs Harbour Pty Ltd [2006] NSWCA 88; (2006) 67 NSWLR 516 Harrison v Nominal Defendant (1975) 50 ALJR 330 Hunter New England Area Health Service v Nominal Defendant [2008] NSWDC 13; (2008) 6 DCLR (NSW) 348 Izzard v Dunbier Marine Products (NSW) Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 132 Kurnell Passenger & Transport Service Pty Ltd v Randwick City Council [2009] NSWCA 59; (2009) 230 FLR 336 Nominal Defendant v Australian Associated Press [1982] 1 NSWLR 127 Nominal Defendant v Browne [2013] NSWCA 197 Nominal Defendant v Hi-Light Industries Pty Ltd [2004] NSWCA 423; (2004) 61 NSWLR 585 Nominal Defendant v Meakes [2012] NSWCA 66; (2012) 60 MVR 380 Nominal Defendant v Smith (1998) 28 MVR 165 Nominal Defendant v Swift; Wollondilly Shire Council v Swift [2007] NSWCA 56 Oztan v NSW Insurance Ministerial Corporation (1995) 23 MVR 259 Pedersen v Young [1964] HCA 28; (1964) 110 CLR 162 Penrith City Council v East Realisations Pty Ltd (in liquidation) [2013] NSWCA 64; (2013) 63 MVR 180 QBE Workers Compensation (NSW) Ltd v Dolan [2004] NSWCA 458; (2004) 62 NSWLR 42 Richards v Cornford (No 3) [2010] NSWCA 134 Slinn v Nominal Defendant [1964] HCA 72; (1964) 112 CLR 334 Swain v Waverley Municipal Council [2005] HCA 4; (2005) 220 CLR 517 Tickle Industries Pty Ltd v Hann [1974] HCA 5; (1974) 130 CLR 321 Tooth & Co Ltd v Tillyer [1956] HCA 49; (1956) 95 CLR 605 United Airlines Inc v Sercel Australia Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 24; (2012) 260 FLR 37 Victorian WorkCover Authority v Esso Australia Ltd [2001] HCA 53; (2001) 207 CLR 520 WorkCover Queensland v Amaca Pty Ltd [2010] HCA 34; (2010) 241 CLR 420 Texts Cited: New South Wales Government Gazette, No 92, 25 July 2008, at 7281 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer - appellant Nominal Defendant - respondent Representation: Counsel: D Kelly - appellant J Guihot - respondent Solicitors: Sparke Helmore Lawyers - appellant Moray & Agnew Lawyers - respondent File Number(s): 2012/209619 Publication restriction: No Decision under appeal Citation: Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer v Nominal Defendant Date of Decision: 2012-04-05 00:00:00 Before: Olsson DCJ File Number(s): DC 2010/100837