Lee v Wickham Freight Lines Pty Ltd [2016] NSWCA 209

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Lee v Wickham Freight Lines Pty Ltd [2016] NSWCA 209 Hearing dates: 3 August 2016 Decision date: 15 August 2016 Before: Basten JA at [1]; Simpson JA at [37]; Sackville AJA at [38] Decision: (1) Dismiss the appeal.

(2) Order the appellant to pay the respondent's costs in this Court. Catchwords: TORTS – duty of care – workplace injury – whether duty owed by principal to employee of subcontractor – back injury suffered while restacking pallets during unloading process – work undertaken on premises of third party – principal not controlling subcontractor's activities – principal not responsible for coordination of activities in loading dock – system of work not devised by principal Legislation Cited: Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), Pt 5 Cases Cited: Bostik Australia Pty Ltd v Liddiard [2009] NSWCA 167 Fox v Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd [2008] NSWCA 23 Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd v Fox (2009) 240 CLR 1; [2009] HCA 35 Stevens v Brodribb Sawmilling Co Pty Ltd (1986) 160 CLR 16 Sydney Water Corporation v Abramovic [2007] NSWCA 248 Thompson v Woolworths (Q'land) Pty Ltd (2005) 221 CLR 234; [2005] HCA 19 Wooby v Australian Postal Corporation [2013] NSWCA 183; 233 IR 471 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Mark Lee (Appellant) Wickham Freight Lines Pty Ltd (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr D B Dooley SC / Ms P Clingan (Appellant) Mr M T McCulloch SC / Ms T A Berberian