Metro North Hospital and Health Service v Pierce [2018] NSWCA 11

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Metro North Hospital and Health Service v Pierce [2018] NSWCA 11 Hearing dates: 29 August 2017; 30 August 2017 Date of orders: 14 February 2018 Decision date: 14 February 2018 Before: Macfarlan JA at [1]; Payne JA at [2]; White JA at [3] Decision: 1. Appeal dismissed. 2. Cross-appeal dismissed. 3. Order that the appellant pay 60 per cent of the respondent's costs of the appeal and cross-appeal. Catchwords: TORTS – negligence – apportionment of responsibility and damages – medical negligence – whether pre-existing condition was progressively deteriorating – whether causation was established – whether assessment of damages could be challenged – challenges to findings of fact and damages dismissed Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), s 5D Civil Liability Act 2003 (Qld), ss 11, 57, 59(2) Workmen's Compensation Act 1932–1935 (SA) Cases Cited: Adelaide Stevedoring Co Ltd v Forst (1940) 64 CLR 538 Dasreef Pty Ltd v Hawchar (2011) 243 CLR 588; [2011] HCA 21 EMI (Australia) Ltd v Bes [1970] 2 NSWR 238 Fernandez v Tubemakers of Australia Ltd [1975] 2 NSWLR 190 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 Malec v J C Hutton Pty Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 638; [1990] HCA 20 Pierce v Metro North Hospital and Health Service [2016] NSWSC 1559 Purkess v Crittenden (1965) 114 CLR 164 Ridolfi v Hammond [2012] NSWCA 3 Seltsam Pty Ltd v Ghaleb [2005] NSWCA 208 Seltsam Pty Ltd v McGuiness (2000) 49 NSWLR 262; [2000] NSWCA 29 Tubemakers of Australia Ltd v Fernandez (1976) 10 ALR 303 Watts v Rake (1960) 108 CLR 158 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Metro North Hospital and Health Service (Appellant) Emily Pierce (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: J Glissan ESM SC with D Nagle (Appellant) D E Graham SC with S Maybury (Respondent)