Wurth v Sampco Pty Ltd t/as The Knickerbocker Hotel [2013] NSWDC 173

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Wurth v Sampco Pty Ltd t/as The Knickerbocker Hotel [2013] NSWDC 173 Hearing dates: 27 & 28/08/2013 Decision date: 13 September 2013 Before: Levy SC DCJ Decision: 1.Verdict and judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of $456,551.70; 2.The defendant is to pay the plaintiff's costs of the proceedings on the ordinary basis unless otherwise ordered; 3.The exhibits may be returned; 4.Liberty to apply on 7 days notice if further orders are required. [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 - occupier's liability - plaintiff stepped into an exposed gap within a broken and defective metal drainage grate located within the driveway of a concreted hotel car park - bruising injury to both knees and twisting injury to right foot causing foot fractures - whether torn lateral meniscus of left knee was caused by the fall - whether obvious risk - whether inherent risk - whether breach of duty of care - whether contributory negligence; DAMAGES - assessment of claimed heads of damage Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002, s 5B, s 5D, s 5F, s 5G, s 5H, s 5I, s 13, s 15, s 16 Evidence Act 1995, s 60 Health and Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995 (Cwth) Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999, s 141B Cases Cited: Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr [2012] NSWCA 13 Brodie v Singleton Shire Council Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Limited v Haleluka [2012] NSWCA 343 Czatyrko v Edith Cowan University [2005] HCA 14; (2005) ALR 349 Daw v Toyworld (NSW) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 25 Ghantous v Hawkesbury City Council [2001] HCA 29; (2001) 206 CLR 512 Graham v Baker [1961] HCA 48; (1961) 106 CLR 340 Husher v Husher [1999] HCA 47; (1999) 197 CLR 138 Medlin v State Government Insurance Commission [1995] HCA 5; (1995) 182 CLR 1 Miller v Galderisi [2009] NSWCA 353 Morvatjou v Moradkhani [2003] NSWCA 157 Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201 Ross v Nominal Defendant [NSWDC] 110 State of NSW v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133, (2000) 54 NSWLR 536 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Helen Wurth (Plaintiff) Sampco Pty Ltd t/a The Knickerbocker Hotel (Defendant) Representation: Mr A Lidden SC with Mr P Khandhar (Plaintiff) Ms A Horvath (Defendant) Brydens (Plaintiff) Riley Gray Spencer (Defendant) File Number(s): 2011/394503 Publication restriction: None