Stefanyszyn v Brown; Brown v Newcastle Private Hospital Pty Limited t/as Newcastle Private Hospital [2016] NSWSC 826

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Stefanyszyn v Brown; Brown v Newcastle Private Hospital Pty Limited t/as Newcastle Private Hospital [2016] NSWSC 826 Hearing dates: 2 May 2016, 5 May 2016, 6 May 2016 and 9 May 2016 Date of orders: 21 June 2016 Decision date: 21 June 2016 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Schmidt J Decision: Judgment for cross-claimant. Catchwords: TORTS – negligence – medical negligence – cross-claim – roles of surgeon and hospital staff – nature of duties owed to patient – Hospital's breach of duty of care admitted – Jones v Dunkel inferences – hospital systems not adhered to – nature of hospital's breaches– whether breaches contributed to patient's death – apportionment of contribution as between Hospital and surgeon – orders – costs Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) Compensation to Relatives Act 1897 (NSW) Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1946 (NSW) Cases Cited: Elayoubi v Zipser [2008] NSWCA 335 Ellis v Wallsend District Hospital (1989) 17 NSWLR 553 Elliott v Bickerstaff [1999] NSWCA 453; (1999) 48 NSWLR 214 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Kondis v State Transport Authority [1984] HCA 61; (1984) 154 CLR 672 Sanchez-Sidiropoulos v Canavan [2015] NSWSC 1139 Seltsam Pty Ltd v McGuiness [2000] NSWCA 29; (2000) 49 NSWLR 262 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Walter Stefanyszyn (First Plaintiff) Megan Stefanyszyn (Second Plaintiff) Leigh Stefanyszyn (Third Plaintiff) Dr Oliver Brown (Defendant/Cross-Claimant) Newcastle Private Hospital Pty Limited t/as Newcastle Private Hospital (Cross-Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr J Morris SC with Mr B Kelleher (Cross-Claimant) Mr D A Lloyd with Mr M Kalyk (Cross-Defendant)