Lazarevic v United Super Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 96

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Lazarevic v United Super Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 96 Hearing dates: 2 - 3 December 2013 Decision date: 20 February 2014 Jurisdiction: Equity Division Before: Hallen J Decision: Direct the parties to prepare, within 10 days, short minutes to reflect and give effect to these reasons. Failing agreement on any aspect thereof (as to interest and costs), the Court will hear further argument at a convenient time to be arranged. Catchwords: Superannuation - Insurance - Claim for benefits - Superannuation trustee holding insurance policy covering total and permanent disablement of scheme members including Plaintiff - Whether Plaintiff totally and permanently disabled within the meaning of the relevant superannuation trust deed and insurance policy - Duty on a trustee of a superannuation fund in determining a claim for a benefit - Duty on an insurer in determining a claim for a benefit - Whether Plaintiff reasonably fitted by education, training or experience to carry out work - Whether insured able to engage in "regular remunerative work" - Review of decisions made by each of Trustee and Insurer Cases Cited: Alcoa of Australia Retirement Plan Pty Ltd v Frost [2012] VSCA 238; (2012) 7 ASTLR 117 Baker v Local Government Superannuation Scheme Pty Ltd [2007] NSWSC 1173 Chammas v Harwood Nominees Pty Ltd (1993) ANZ Ins Cas 61-175 Chapman v United Super Pty Ltd [2013] NSWSC 592 Cigna Life Insurance New Zealand Ltd v Rowles (High Court (New Zealand), Ellis J, 2 May 1997, unrep) Dargan v United Super Pty Ltd [2011] NSWSC 1316 Edwards v Hunter Valley Co-op Dairy Co Ltd (1992) 7 ANZ Ins Cas 61-113 Erzurumlu v Kellogg Superannuation Pty Ltd [2013] NSWSC 1115 Fernance v Wreckair Pty Ltd (No 2) (1992) 43 IR 300 Finch v Telstra Super Pty Ltd [2010] HCA 36; (2010) 242 CLR 254 Halloran v Harwood Nominees Pty Ltd [2007] NSWSC 913 Hannover Life Re of Australasia Ltd v Dargan [2013] NSWCA 57; (2013) 83 NSWLR 246 Hannover Life Re of Australasia Ltd v Sayseng [2005] NSWCA 214; (2005) 13 ANZ Ins Cas 90-123 Ivkovic v Australian Casualty & Life Ltd (1994) 10 SR (WA) 325 McArthur v Mercantile Mutual Life Insurance Co Ltd [2001] QCA 317; [2002] 2 Qd R 197 McCann v Switzerland Insurance Australia Ltd [2000] HCA 65; (2000) 203 CLR 579 Nile v Club Plus Superannuation Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 55 Oberlechner v Watson Wyatt Superannuation Pty Ltd [2007] NSWSC 906; (2008) 15 ANZ Ins Cas 90-134 Sayseng v Kellogg Superannuation Pty Ltd [2003] NSWSC 945 Sayseng v Kellogg Superannuation Pty Ltd [2007] NSWSC 583 Vidovic v Email Superannuation Pty Ltd (Supreme Court (NSW), Bryson J, 3 March 1995, unrep) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Zoran Lazarevic (Plaintiff) United Super Pty Ltd (first Defendant) Hannover Life Re of Australasia Ltd (second Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr D Weinberger; Ms T Gordon (Plaintiff) Mr W McManus (Defendants) Solicitors: NSW Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) TurksLegal (Defendants) File Number(s): 2012/286537