Belinda Lawlor (nee Latta) v State of New South Wales [2014] NSWSC 1659

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Belinda Lawlor (nee Latta) v State of New South Wales [2014] NSWSC 1659 Hearing dates: 14 October 2013 Decision date: 21 November 2014 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Hidden J Decision: Leave to commence proceedings out of time granted Catchwords: LIMITATION - application for leave to commence proceedings for modified common law damages for work related injury after expiry of 3 year limitation period - plaintiff a police officer suffering psychological injury from duties - decision to await her medical discharge before commencing proceedings - whether reasonable explanation for the delay - whether defendant prejudiced Legislation Cited: Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) Crown Proceedings Act 1988 Limitation Act 1969 Workers Compensation Act 1987 Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 Cases Cited: Ditchburn v Seltsam Ltd (1989) 17 NSWLR 697 Feltham v Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer [2013] NSWDC 189 Itek Graphix Pty Ltd v Elliot [2002] NSWCA 104, 54 NSWLR 207 JC Equipment Hire Pty Limited v The Registrar of the Workers Compensation Commission of NSW [2008] NSWCA 43, 70 NSWLR 704 Merton v Manildra Engergy Australia Pty Ltd [2013] NSWSC 1482 Oates v Consolidated Capital Services Ltd [2009] NSWCA 183 Opoku v P & M Quality Smallgoods P/L & Ors [2012] NSWSC 478 State of New South Wales v Burton [2008] NSWCA 319 State of New South Wales v Harlum [2007] NSWCA 120 Sydney City Council v Zegarac (1998) 43 NSWLR 195 Tabet v Gett [2010] HCA 12, 240 CLR 537 Wilkinson v Perisher Blue Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 250 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Belinda Latta (nee Lawlor) (plaintiff) State of New South Wales (defendant) Representation: Counsel: D Graham SC with A Naylor (plaintiff) D Stanton (defendant) Solicitors: Kim Howard Smith, Kim Smith & Associates (plaintiff) Eamonn O'Neill, SMK Lawyers (defendant) File Number(s): 2011/353290