Gaffney v Ward [2014] NSWDC 20

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Gaffney v Ward [2014] NSWDC 20 Hearing dates: 10 & 20/03/2014 Decision date: 28 March 2014 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Levy SC DCJ Decision: 1.Verdict and judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of $670,494.90; 2.The defendant is to pay the plaintiff's costs on the ordinary basis unless either party can s how an entitlement to some other order for costs; 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 - motor vehicle accident - nervous shock claim - plaintiff's children injured and placed in peril - breach of duty of care admitted; DAMAGES - assessment of damages for nervous shock - plaintiff unable to pursue her career as an opera singer Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002, s 31 Evidence Act 1995, s 60 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999, s 126, s 131 Cases Cited: Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr [2012] NSWCA 13 Bradshaw v McEwans Pty Ltd (1951) 217 ALR 1 Callaghan v Wm C Lynch Pty Ltd [1962] NSWR 871 Dasreef Pty Ltd v Hawchar [2011] HCA 21 Daw v Toyworld (NSW) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 25 Foster v Tyne and Wear County Council [1986] 1 All ER 567 Graham v Baker [1961] HCA 48; (1961) 106 CLR 340 Husher v Husher [1999] HCA 47; (1999) 197 CLR 138 Luxton v Vines [1952] HCA 19; (1952) 85 CLR 352 Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles [2001] NSWCA 305; (2001) 52 NSWLR 705; Malec v JC Hutton Pty Ltd [1990] HCA 20; (1990) 169 CLR 638 Medlin v State Government Insurance Commission [1995] HCA 5; (1995) 182 CLR 1 Mt Isa Mines Ltd v Pusey [1970] HCA 60; (1970) 125 CLR 383 Paff v Speed [1961] HCA 14; (1961) 105 CLR 549 Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201 Purkess v Crittenden [1965] HCA 34; (1965) 114 CLR 164 State of NSW v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133, (2000) 54 NSWLR 536 Watts v Rake [1960] HCA 58; (1960) 108 CLR 158 Wynn v NSW Ministerial Corporation [1995] HCA 53; (1995) 184 CLR 485 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Meagan Gaffney (Plaintiff) David Ward (Defendant) Representation: On 10 March 2014 Mr G Hickey (Plaintiff) Mr S Torrington (Defendant) On 20 March 2014 Ms M Griffiths (Solicitor for the plaintiff) Ms T Smart (Solicitor for the defendant) Slater & Gordon (Plaintiff) Sparke Helmore (Defendant) File Number(s): 2012/336431 Publication restriction: None