Goddard v Central Coast Health Network [2013] NSWSC 1932

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Goddard v Central Coast Health Network [2013] NSWSC 1932 Hearing dates: 25-29 November 2013; 2-5 December 2013 Decision date: 19 December 2013 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Adamson J Decision: (1) In proceedings 289707 of 2008, judgment for the defendants. (2) In proceedings 289708 of 2008, judgment for the defendants. (3) In proceedings 289709 of 2008, judgment for the defendants. (4) Unless an application for a different order is made in writing to my Associate within seven days of this order, order the plaintiffs to pay the defendants' costs of each of the proceedings. Catchwords: FAMILY LAW -effect of parenting orders where no adoption order

TORTS -negligence -whether surgery negligent -whether post-operative review and discharge was negligent -whether advice to bring patient in to Emergency Department where health deteriorated was negligent -contributory negligence -effect of subsequent bereavement on assessment of non-economic loss

DAMAGES -Compensation to Relatives Act 1897 -assessment of damages -whether subject to s 15 of Civil Liability Act -whether quasi-adoption ought be regarded as reducing or extinguishing loss in same way as remarriage Legislation Cited: Children Act 1975 (UK), s 8, sch 1 s 3, Civil Liability Act 2002, s 3B, s 5D, s 5E, 5O, s 5R, s 5S, s 5T, s 11, s 12, s 15, s 15(1), s 15(2)(b), s 15(2)(c), s 15B, s 16, s 32 Compensation to Relatives Act 1897, s 3, s 4, s 4(1) Family Law Act 1975, s 65C(ba), s 65J, s 65M, s 65N, 66C Cases Cited: Attorney-General for NSW v Perpetual Trustee Co. (Ltd) [1952] HCA 2; 85 CLR 237 Benjamin v Currie [1958] VR 259 Ellis v Wallsend District Hospital (1989) 17 NSWLR 553 Elliott v Bickerstaff [1999] NSWCA 453; 48 NSWLR 214 Fawns v Green [1972] WWR 272 Griffiths v Kerkemeyer [1977] HCA 45; 139 CLR 161 Grosso v Deaton [2012] NSWCA 101 Mehmet v Perry [1977] 2 All ER 529 Nguyen v Nguyen [1990] HCA 9; 169 CLR 245 Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales v Jelfs [1999] NSWCA 179 Stonehouse v Gamble (1982) 44 BCLR 375 Taylor v The Owners- Strata Plan No. 11564 [2013] NSWCA 55; 83 NSWLR 1 Turner v Owen (1984) Aust. Tort Rep. 80-667 Watson (Administrators of) v Willmott [1991] 1 QB 140 Willis v The Commonwealth [1946] HCA 22; 73 CLR 105 Texts Cited: Review of the Law of Negligence (2002) (The Ipp Report) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Andre Goddard (Plaintiff) Debra Rumble (Plaintiff) Central Coast Local Health District (First Defendant) William Scott Munro (Second Defendant) Representation: Counsel: L Whalan with L-C Hutchinson (Plaintiff) M Windsor SC with S Kettle (Defendants) Solicitors: Beilby Poulden Costello Lawyers (Plaintiff) Curwood Legal Services (Defendants) File Number(s): 2008/289709 2008/289708 2008/289707 Publication restriction: Nil