Gonzalez v Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd [2016] NSWSC 1549

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Gonzalez v Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd [2016] NSWSC 1549 Hearing dates: 28 October 2016 Date of orders: 28 October 2016 Decision date: 28 October 2016 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Beech-Jones J Decision: 1. The tender of MFI 1, being a Medical Assessor Guidance Note No 19, is rejected.

2. Pursuant to Uniform Civil Procedure Rule 59.10.2, the time in which the plaintiff may commence these proceedings be extended up to and including 17 February, 2016.

3. The proceedings be dismissed.

4. The plaintiff pay the first defendant's costs. Catchwords: JUDICIAL REVIEW – medical assessment under Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 – psychological injury – plaintiff suffered PTSD after a car accident – following collision intimidated by other driver and associates – Medical Assessor concluded PTSD unrelated to accident – whether reasons adequate – whether error in construing DSM-5 – whether error in approach to causation – whether failed to address substantial argument – whether decision unreasonable – no error shown – proper officer declined to refer assessment to review panel – no error shown – proceedings dismissed Legislation Cited: Motor Accident Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules Cases Cited: Ali v AAI Limited [2016] NSWCA 110 Allianz Australia Insurance Limited v Gonzalez (No 2) [2015] NSWSC 693 Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Mackenzie [2014] NSWSC 67 Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Gonzalez [2013] NSWSC 362 Minister for Immigration v Eshetu [1999] HCA 21; 197 CLR 611 Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v Li [2013] HCA 18; 249 CLR 332 Nelkovska v Motor Accident Authority of New South Wales [2012] NSWSC 819 Nominal Defendant v GLG Australia Pty Ltd [2006] HCA 11; 228 CLR 529 Rodger v De Gelder [2011] NSWCA 97; 18 NSWLR 594 Wingfoot Australia Partners Ltd v Kocak [2013] HCA 43; 252 CLR 480 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Carmen Ruth Gonzalez (Plaintiff) Allianz Australia Insurance Limited (First Defendant) State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) (Second Defendant) Dr Sharon Reutens, in her capacity as a medical assessor of the SIRA (Third Defendant) Representation: Counsel: MA Robinson SC; J Gumbert (Plaintiff) KP Rewell SC (First Defendant)