Cunha v Workers Compensation (Dust Diseases) Authority [2016] NSWDC 227

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Cunha v Workers Compensation (Dust Diseases) Authority [2016] NSWDC 227 Hearing dates: 2-4 August 2016 Date of orders: 04 August 2016 Decision date: 04 August 2016 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Neilson DCJ Decision: 1. Appeal allowed.

2. Order 1 made by the defendant in its award of 20 November 2015 set aside

3. In lieu of that order: "the amount of $332,850.00 be awarded to the dependant in accordance with s 8(2B)(b)(i)(c) of the Act"

4. Defendant to pay interest on the difference between $332,850 and $99,855 from 20 November 2015 to date at the rate specified in UCPR 36.7 . 5. Defendant to pay the plaintiff's costs.

6. Liberty to apply on three days' notice. Catchwords: WORKERS COMPENSATION – Dust diseases – Calculation of death benefit for widow of worker who died of asbestosis – Whether receipt of age pension under Commonwealth legislation required a finding of partial dependency when widow had been totally dependent on her husband prior to the grant of the aged pension – In the alternative to finding of total dependence, correct method of assessing extent of partial dependence Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 Workers Compensation Act 1987 Workers Compensation (Dust Diseases) Act 1942 Cases Cited: Aafjes v Kearney (1976) 180 CLR 199 Claydon v Jayton Pty Ltd t/as Stocktrans (1999) 18 NSWCCR 381 Coles Myer Ltd v Rudzinski [2006] NSWCA 161 Dionisatos (for the Estate of the Late George Dionisatos) v Acrow Formwork and Scaffolding Pty Ltd (2015) NSWCA 281 Fisher v Hebburn Ltd (1960) 105 CLR 188 Kauri Timber Co (Tas.) Pty Ltd v Reeman (1973) 128 CLR 177 McCafferty's Management Pty Ltd v Pimlott (1995) 12 NSWCCR 360 New Monckton Collieries Ltd v Keeling (1911) AC 648; (2011) 4 BWCC 332 Norris v Routley [2015] NSW SC 883 O'Brien v Workers Compensation (Dust Diseases) Board (2000) 22 NSWCCR 193 Potts v Niddrie and Benhar Coal Co Ltd (1913) AC 531 Warilla Timber and Hardware Pty Ltd v Newton (1995) 11 NSWCCR 546 Workers Compensation (Dust Diseases) Board v Veksans (1993) 32 NSWLR 221 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Maria Cunha (Appellant) Workers Compensation (Dust Diseases) Authority (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr Simic (Appellant) Mr J Sheller (Respondent)