Robbie v Strasburger Enterprises Pty Ltd t/as Quix Food Stores & Ors [2017] NSWSC 363

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Robbie v Strasburger Enterprises Pty Ltd t/as Quix Food Stores & Ors [2017] NSWSC 363 Hearing dates: 7 February 2017 Decision date: 07 April 2017 Before: N Adams J Decision: (1) Dismiss the plaintiff's summons. (2) The plaintiff is to pay the first defendant's costs. Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – judicial review – decision of a delegate of the Registrar of the Workers Compensation Commission – construction of the Workers Compensation Guidelines – proper use of the Combined Values Chart in AMA5 when combining whole person impairment value for spinal injury involving persisting radiculopathy with two modifiers for spinal surgeries Legislation Cited: Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW), s 8 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 69 Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 66, 151H Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 (NSW), ss 321, 322, 323, 327, 376 Cases Cited: ADCO Constructions Pty Limited v Goudappel (2014) 254 CLR 1; [2014] HCA 18 Alcan (NT) Alumina Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Territory Revenue (2009) 239 CLR 27; [2009] HCA 41 Bird v Commonwealth ("The Maralinga Case") (1988) 165 CLR 1; [1988] HCA 23 Campbelltown City Council v Vegan (2006) 67 NSWLR 372; [2006] NSWCA 284 Commissioner of Taxation v Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd (2012) 250 CLR 503; [2012] HCA 51 Insurance Australia Limited t/as NRMA Insurance v Helou [2008] NSWCA 240 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355; [1998] HCA 28 Texts Cited: American Medical Association, Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Fifth Edition NSW workers compensation guidelines for the evaluation of permanent impairment, Fourth Edition – 1 April 2016 State Insurance Regulatory Authority, Permanent Impairment Guidelines Table 4.2 Interpretation and Application Category: Principal judgment Parties: Melissa Robbie (Plaintiff) Strasburger Enterprises Pty Ltd t/as Quix Food Stores (First Defendant) Registrar of the Workers Compensation Commission of NSW (Second Defendant) Delegate of the Registrar of the Workers Compensation Commission of NSW (Third Defendant) Deputy Registrar of the Workers Compensation Commission of NSW (Fourth Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr C Tanner (Plaintiff) Mr T Boyle (First Defendant)