AAMI Limited v Cirevska [2013] NSWSC 1438

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: AAMI Limited v Cirevska [2013] NSWSC 1438 Hearing dates: 26 July 2013 Decision date: 27 September 2013 Before: R A Hulme J Decision: The plaintiff's summons is dismissed Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - judicial review - claim under Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 - medical assessment of claimant determined degree of permanent impairment of more than 10 per cent on basis that asthmatic condition exacerbated by accident - patient history incorrect in material respect - general assessment proceeded - claims assessor independently considered causation of asthma -application by insurer for judicial review by the Supreme Court - asserted error on the face of the record and jurisdictional error - whether assessor erred in finding medical assessment certificate conclusive for all purposes - whether error in granting award of gratuitous care - whether denial of procedural fairness or failure to exercise statutory duty -conclusion of conclusiveness incorrect but immaterial to independent finding that asthma was exacerbated by the accident - sufficient evidence to make finding - no denial of procedural fairness - no duty on general assessor to refer certificate for further assessment - not open to insurer to complain about award for gratuitous care when conceded before claims assessor - principle of finality - error not established in any event Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) Cases Cited: Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Girgis [2011] NSWSC 1424; (2011) 59 MVR 548 Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr [2012] NSWCA 13; (2012) 60 MVR 194 Australian Broadcasting Tribunal v Bond (1990) 170 CLR 321 D'Orta-Ekenaike v Victoria Legal Aid [2005] HCA 12; (2005) 223 clr 1 Clegg v Williams [2012] NSWSC 709 Craig v South Australia (1985) 184 CLR 163 Darley Australia v Walfertan Processors [2012] NSWCA 48 Habib v Director-General of Security [2009] FCAFC 48; (2009) 175 FCR 411 Hill v Forrester [2010] NSWCA 170; (2010) 79 NSWLR 470 Leichhardt Municipal Council v Seatainer Terminals (1981) 48 LGRA 409 March v E & MH Stramare Pty Ltd (1991) 171 CLR 506 Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v SZMDS [2010] HCA 16; (2010) 240 CLR 611 Minister for Immigration & Ethnic Affairs v Wu Shan Liang (1996) 185 CLR 291 Motor Accidents Authority v Mills [2010] NSWCA 82; (2010) 78 NSWLR 125 Pham v Shui [2006] NSWCA 373; (2006) 47 MVR 231 Rodriguez v Telstra Corporation Ltd [2002] FCA 30; (2002) 66 ALD 579 Roger v De Gelder [2012] NSWCA 167 Samad v District Court of New South Wales [2002] HCA 24; (2002) 209 CLR 140 Trazivuk v Motor Accidents Authority [2010] NSWCA 287; (2020) 57 MVR 9 Texts Cited: MAA Claims Assessment Guidelines (1 October 2008) Category: Principal judgment Parties: AAMI Limited (Plaintiff) Jordanka Cirevska (First Defendant) Thomas Goudkamp in his capacity as a Claims Assessor of the Motor Accidents Authority of New South Wales (Second Defendant) Motor Accidents Authority of New South Wales (Third Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr W Fitzsimmons (Plaintiff) Mr S A Beckett with Mr G J Gemmell (First Defendant) Solicitors: Moray & Agnew (Plaintiff) C & M Lawyers (First Defendant) Crown Solicitor (Second & Third Defendants) File Number(s): 2012/383739