Schoupp v Verryt [2014] NSWDC 28

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Schoupp v Verryt [2014] NSWDC 28 Hearing dates: 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 21, 26 & 28/03/2014 (Last submissions 04/04/2014) Decision date: 14 April 2014 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Levy SC DCJ Decision: 1.Finding that there was contributory negligence on the part of the plaintiff; 2.The respective contributions of the negligence of the parties is apportioned to be 100 per cent on the part of the defendant and 0 per cent on the part of the plaintiff; 3.There should be a verdict and judgment for the plaintiff without discount for contributory negligence; 4.The plaintiff's interim damages arising from his injuries on 30 January 2007 are assessed in the sum of $1,954,150.47 before the addition of the appropriate amount to be added as damages for funds management charges; 5.The parties are to prepare short minutes concerning the issue of funds management and the steps required to finalise the proceedings; 6.Liberty to apply on 7 days notice if further orders are required. Catchwords: TORTS - motor vehicle accident - plaintiff sustained a head injury following a fall onto the roadway after being towed on a skateboard by maintaining a handhold behind defendant's vehicle - breach of duty of care admitted by defendant - finding of contributory negligence on part of plaintiff - on apportionment, plaintiff's contribution assessed at 0 per cent - defendant's contribution assessed at 100 per cent; DAMAGES - assessment of claimed heads of damage - whether there should be an award for funds management charges Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995, s 80 Civil Liability Act 2002, s 5D, s 5E, s 5R,s 5S Civil Procedure Act 2005, s 56 - s 58 Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1965, as amended by the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2000, s 9 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999, s 126, s 131, s 136, s 138, s 141B Protected Estates Act 1983 Cases Cited: Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr [2012] NSWCA 13 Arnott v Choy [2010] NSWCA 259 Axiak v Ingram [2011] NSWSC 1447 Bradshaw v McEwans Pty Ltd (1951) 217 ALR 1 Dasreef Pty Ltd v Hawchar [2011] HCA 21 Graham v Baker [1961] HCA 48; (1961) 106 CLR 340 Husher v Husher [1999] HCA 47; (1999) 197 CLR 138 Kallouf v Middis [2008] NSWCA 61 Luxton v Vines [1952] HCA 19; (1952) 85 CLR 352 McHale v Watson [1966] HCA 13; (1966) 115 CLR 199 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 Mead v Kerney [2012] NSWCA 215 Medlin v State Government Insurance Commission [1995] HCA 5; (1995) 182 CLR 1 Mobbs v Kain [2009] NSWCA 301 Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201 Podrebersek v Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 34; (1985) 59 ALJR 492; (1985) 59 ALR 529 Rosniak v GIO [1997] 41 NSWLR 608 State of NSW v Gee (aka Michaels) [2002] NSWCA 326 State of NSW v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133; (2000) 54 NSWLR 536 Vairy v Wyong Shire Council [2005] HCA 62; (2005) 223 CLR 442 Wynn v NSW Ministerial Corporation [1995] HCA 53; (1995) 184 CLR 485 Texts Cited: Furzer Crestani Assessment Handbook, 2013 Ed Category: Principal judgment Parties: Liam Luke Schoupp (Plaintiff) Alphonse Verryt (Defendant) Representation: Mr D Campbell SC with Mr S Longhurst (Plaintiff) Mr D Ronzani (Defendant) RMB Lawyers (Plaintiff) Curwoods (Defendant) File Number(s): 2009/339964 Wollongong Publication restriction: None