Benton v Historic Houses Trust of NSW [2017] NSWDC 324

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Benton v Historic Houses Trust of NSW [2017] NSWDC 324 Hearing dates: 17, 18, 19, 20, 24 & 25 July 2017 (Final submissions on 25 October 2017) Date of orders: 17 November 2017 Decision date: 17 November 2017 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Judge Levy SC Decision: 1. Verdict for the plaintiff against the defendant on the plaintiff's claim;

2. The plaintiff's damages are assessed in the amount of $1,507,674.53;

3. After applying the findings made pursuant to s 151Z of the Workers' Compensation Act 1987, the plaintiff's damages are reduced by 20 per cent to $1,206,139.60;

4. After applying the effect of s 51(2) of the District Court Act 1973, judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of $1,125,000;

5. The plaintiff's costs of the proceedings are to be paid by the defendant on the ordinary basis unless otherwise ordered;

6. The exhibits may be returned;

7. Liberty to apply on 7 days' notice if further or other orders are required. Catchwords: TORTS – occupier's liability claim – negligence – whether obvious risk – whether defendant occupier was negligent – whether plaintiff's employer was negligent – whether contributory negligence on the part of the plaintiff – application of s 151Z of Workers' Compensation Act 1987; DAMAGES – assessment of claimed heads of damage Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002, s 5B, s 5C, s 5D, s 5F, s 5G, s 5H, s 5R, s 5S, s 13, s 15, s 16, Pt 1A Div 2 District Court Act 1973, s 51(2) Evidence Act 1995, s 60 Historic Houses Act 1980, s 5, s 7, s 8 Interpretation Act 1987, s 21 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 Work Health and Safety Act 2011, s 16, s 19, s 20 Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 Workers Compensation Act 1987, s 151Z Cases Cited: Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr [2012] NSWCA 13 Astley v Austrust Ltd [1999] HCA 6; (1999) CLR 1 Australian Safeway Stores Pty Ltd v Zaluzna [1987] HCA 7; (1987) 162 CLR 479 Boral Bricks Pty Ltd v Cosmidis (No 2) [2014] NSWCA 139 Carey v Lake Macquarie City Council [2007] NSWCA 4 Czatyrko v Edith Cowan University [2005] HCA 14; (2005) 214 ALR 349 Daw v Toyworld (NSW) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 25 Fox v Wood [1981] HCA 41; (1981) 148 CLR 438 Glad Retail Cleaning Pty Ltd v Alvarenga [2013] NSWCA 482 Graham v Baker [1961] HCA 48; (1961) 106 CLR 340 HG v The Queen [1999] HCA 2; (1999) 197 CLR 414 Hamilton v Nuroof (WA) Pty Ltd [1956] HCA 42; (1956) 96 CLR 18 Hill v Forrester [2010] NSWCA 170; (2010) 79 NSWLR 470 Jackson v McDonalds Australia Ltd [2014] NSWCA 162 Larson v Commissioner of Police [2004] NSWCA 126 Majkic v Bonnano [2008] NSWCA 253 Maricic v Dalma Formwork Australia Pty Ltd [2006] NSWCA 174 Medlin v State Government Insurance Commission [1995] HCA 5; (1995) 182 CLR 1 Miller v Galderisi [2009] NSWCA 353 Modbury Triangle Shopping Centre Pty Ltd v Anzil [2000] HCA 61; 205 CLR 254 Paric v John Holland (Constructions) Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 58 Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201 Pollard v Baulderstone Hornibrook Engineering Pty Ltd [2008] NSWCA 99 Richards v Cornford [2010] NSWCA 99; (2010) 76 NSWLR 572 Roads and Traffic Authority (NSW) v Dederer [2007] HCA 42; (2007) 234 CLR 330 Shaw v Thomas [2010] NSWCA 169 Smith v Alone [2017] NSWCA 287 Smith v Broken Hill Co Pty Ltd [1957] HCA 34; (1957) 97 CLR 337 Solomons v Pallier [2015] NSWCA 266 State of NSW v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133, (2000) 54 NSWLR 536 Stevens v Brodribb Sawmilling Company Pty Ltd [1986] HCA 1; (1986) 160 CLR 16 Strong v Woolworths Ltd [2012] HCA 5, (2012) 246 CLR 182 Vairy v Wyong Shire Council [2005] HCA 62; (2005) 223 CLR 442 Vincent v Woolworths Ltd [2016] NSWCA 40 Texts Cited: 2017 Ed Furzer Crestani Assessment Handbook Category: Principal judgment Parties: Michelle Benton (Plaintiff) Historic Houses Trust of NSW (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr JS Wheelhouse SC and Mr JE Doyon (Plaintiff) Ms GF Mahony (Defendant)