McLawrence v Ashton Coal Operations Pty Limited [2016] NSWDC 355

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: McLawrence v Ashton Coal Operations Pty Limited [2016] NSWDC 355 Hearing dates: 8 December 2016 Date of orders: 15 December 2016 Decision date: 15 December 2016 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Gibson DCJ Decision: (1) Pursuant to s 151D(2) Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW) grant leave to the plaintiff to commence proceedings for damages in respect to the injuries he suffered on 24 July 2011, such proceedings to be by way of statement of claim filed in these proceedings on or before 12 January 2017. (2) Costs to be costs in the cause. (3) Proceedings listed for directions before the Registrar on Thursday 19 January 2017. Catchwords: WORKERS COMPENSATION – s 151D Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW) – leave to commence proceedings more than three years after injury – adequacy of explanation for delay – extension of time granted Legislation Cited: Limitation Act 1999 (NSW), s 60E Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 80, 151A, 151D, 151DA, 151G, 151H, 151I, 151K, 151KA and Schedule 6, Part 18 Workers Compensation Legislation Further Amendment Act 2001 (NSW) Cases Cited: Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor (1996) 186 CLR 541 Coal & Allied Operations Pty Ltd t/as Hunter Valley Operations (Howick Mine) v Stringer [2003] NSWCA 271 Hornby v The Nominal Defendant [2007] NSWCA 222 Howley v Principal Healthcare Finance Pty Ltd [2014] NSWCA 447 Itek Graphix Pty Ltd v Elliott (2002) 54 NSWLR 207 Nominal Defendant v Harris (2011) 57 MVR 492 Smith v Grant [2006] NSWCA 244 Strasburger Enterprises Pty Ltd (t/as Quix Food Stores) v Serna [2008] NSWCA 354 Yu v Spiers [2001] NSWCA 373 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Plaintiff: Neil Andrew McLawrence Defendant: Ashton Coal Operations Pty Limited Representation: Counsel: Plaintiff: Mr P M O'Rourke Defendant: Mr T Rowles