Gower v State of New South Wales [2018] NSWCA 132

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Gower v State of New South Wales [2018] NSWCA 132 Hearing dates: 3 April 2018 Decision date: 19 June 2018 Before: Basten JA at [1]; White JA at [27]; Simpson AJA at [191] Decision: Appeal dismissed with costs. Catchwords: WORKERS COMPENSATION – Application for leave for extension of time – Work injury damages – Whether limitation period deliberately allowed to expire - Explanation for delay - Strength of case – Prejudice - Error established – Discretion to grant leave not exercised Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 64, 79, 87 Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) Limitation of Actions Act 1936 (SA), s 48 Limitations of Actions Act 1974 (Qld) Motor Accidents Act 1988 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 14.4 Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 66, 74, 150D, 151A, 151D, 151DA, 151G, 151H, Pt 3, Div 4; Pt 5, Div 3 Workers Compensation Commission Rules 2011 (NSW), r 17.3 Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Act 2012 (NSW) Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 (NSW), ss 4, 254, 260(2), 261, 262, 280A, 280B, 281, 313, 314, 315, 318, 318A, 319, 321, 322, 322A, 323, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329; Ch 7, Pt 2, Div 2; Pt 6, Divs 2, 3 Cases Cited: Ali v AAI Ltd [2016] NSWCA 110 Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor (1996) 186 CLR 541 Commonwealth of Australia v Shaw (2006) 66 NSWLR 325; [2006] NSWCA 209 Commonwealth of Australia v Smith [2005] NSWCA 478 Dey v Victorian Railways Commissioners (1949) 78 CLR 62; [1949] HCA 1 Gallagher Bassett Services NSW Pty Ltd v Murdock [2013] NSWCA 386 Holt v Wynter (2000) 49 NSWLR 128; [2000] NSWCA 143 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499 Itek Graphix Pty Ltd v Elliott (2002) 54 NSWLR 207 Izzard v Dunbier Marine Products (NSW) Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 132 Nationwide News Pty Ltd v Naidu (2007) 71 NSWLR 471 Paper Coaters Pty Ltd v Jessop [2009] NSWCA 1 Prince Alfred College Inc v ADC (2016) 258 CLR 134; [2016] HCA 37 Ryan v Forstaff Engineering Personnel Pty Ltd [2011] NSWSC 1009 Salido v Nominal Defendant (1993) 32 NSWLR 524 Salvation Army (South Australia Property Trust) v Rundle [2008] NSWCA 347 South Western Sydney Area Health Service v Gabriel [2001] NSWCA 477 Spencer v The Commonwealth (2010) 241 CLR 118; [2010] HCA 28 Strasburger Enterprises Pty Ltd t/a Quix Food Stores v Serna [2008] NSWCA 354 Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) v Miller (2015) 91 NSWLR 752; [2015] NSWCA 320 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Shane Gower (Appellant) State of New South Wales (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: L King SC with C Hart (Appellant) D Stanton (Respondent) Solicitors: Michael Evers & Co (Appellant) SMK Lawyers (Respondent) File Number(s): 2017/206372 Decision under appeal Court or tribunal: District Court of New South Wales Jurisdiction: Civil Citation: [2017] NSWDC 60 Date of Decision: 24 March 2017 Before: Gibson DCJ File Number(s): 2016/99383