El-Mohamad v Celenk [2017] NSWCA 242

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: El-Mohamad v Celenk [2017] NSWCA 242 Hearing dates: 14 September 2017 Decision date: 22 September 2017 Before: McColl JA at [1]; Basten JA at [2]; N Adams J at [77] Decision: (1) Dismiss the appeal from the judgment of the District Court dated 26 April 2016.

(2) Order that the appellant pay the respondent's costs in this Court. Catchwords: EVIDENCE – assessment of damages – certificate of whole person impairment – relevance to assessment of economic loss

PERSONAL INJURY – motor vehicle accident – Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), s 83 – whether insurer had admitted causation of injury – payment of claimant's treatment expenses – admission of liability – whether given appropriate weight – later denial of liability

PERSONAL INJURY – motor vehicle accident – damages claimed for injuries sustained as a result of second of two accidents – whether claimant established further injuries in second accident –credibility of claimant's evidence – whether reasons adequate Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), Pt 3 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), ss 61, 72, 80, 81, 83, 131 Cases Cited: Brown v Lewis (2006) 65 NSWLR 587; [2006] NSWCA 87 Heuston v Yore Contractors Pty Ltd (unrep, 9 March 1992, Hunt CJ at CL). Lustre Hosiery Ltd v York (1935) 54 CLR 134; [1935] HCA 71 Motor Accidents Authority of NSW v Mills (2010) 78 NSWLR 125; [2010] NSWCA 82 Pham v Shui [2006] NSWCA 373; 47 MVR 231 Smalley v Motor Accident Authority of New South Wales (2013) 85 NSWLR 580; [2013] NSWCA 318 Tchen v Nominal Defendant [2010] NSWCA 245 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Abir El-Mohamad (Appellant) Aydan Celenk (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr D Hooke SC/Mr L D Robison (Appellant) Mr L King SC/Mr J J Ryan (Respondent)