Vo v Tran [2016] NSWSC 1043

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Vo v Tran [2016] NSWSC 1043 Hearing dates: 1-3 February 2016 Date of orders: 29 July 2016 Decision date: 29 July 2016 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Hall J Decision: Verdict in favour of the plaintiff. Judgment to be entered following further submissions on damages. Catchwords: CIVIL LAW – Torts – Occupier's liability – Negligence – Personal injury – Plaintiff visiting work premises occupied by defendants as a shop premises – Plaintiff not in the capacity of employee of the defendants – Crushing injury to plaintiff's hand – No guarding or other safeguards in respect of operation of a juicing machine – Workers' compensation paid by insurer of defendants – Issue as to possible double compensation on an award of common law damages – Plaintiff's understanding to repay workers' compensation insurer in circumstances where no statutory obligation arises under the Workers' Compensation Act – Contributory negligence not established – Obvious risk not established – Damages for physical injuries including ring finger amputation and psychiatric injury Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 Workers' Compensation Act 1987 Workers' Compensation Act 1926 Workers Compensation (Compensation Court Amendment) Act 1989 Workmen's Compensation Act 1910 Workplace Injury Management and Workers' Compensation Act 1999 Cases Cited: Australian Safeway Stores Pty Ltd v Zaluzna [1987] HCA 7; 162 CLR 479; 61 ALJR 180 Badawi v Nexon Asia Pacific Pty Ltd [2009] NSWCA 324; 75 NSWLR 503 Consolidated Broken Hill Ltd v Edwards [2005] NSWCA 380; Aust Torts Reports 81-815 Dell v Dalton (1991) 23 NSWLR 528 Dover Navigation Co v Craig [1940] AC 190 Franklins Self‑Serve Pty Ltd v Wyber [1999] NSWCA 390; 48 NSWLR 249 Graham v Baker [1961] HCA 48; 106 CLR 340 Hatzimanolis v ANI Corporation Ltd [1992] HCA 21; 173 CLR 473 Laoulach v Ibrahim [2011] NSWCA 402 Leichhardt Municipal Council v Montgomery [2005] NSWCA 432 Malec v JC Hutton Pty Ltd [1990] HCA 20; 169 CLR 38 Paff v Speed [1961] HCA 14; 105 CLR 549 Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201 State of New South Wales v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133; 54 NSWLR 536 Vairy v Wyong Shire Council [2005] HCA 62; 223 CLR 422; 80 ALJR 1 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Thi Ngoc Hien Vo (Plaintiff) Hung Vien Tran (First Defendant) Thuy My Le (Second Defendant) Representation: Counsel: DE Baran (Plaintiff) N Polin SC (Defendants)