McPherson v Dowell [2018] NSWDC 348

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: McPherson v Dowell [2018] NSWDC 348 Hearing dates: 19 September 2018 – 20 September 2018; 30 October 2018 – 1 November 2018 Date of orders: 21 November 2018 Decision date: 21 November 2018 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Dicker SC DCJ Decision: (1) Judgment for the plaintiff against the defendant. (2) I reserve the question of costs for further submission or agreement. (3) The parties are to bring in agreed short minutes of order within 14 days reflecting these reasons for decision. (4) The parties have liberty to apply to the Associate to Dicker DCJ on three business days' notice. (5) Exhibits to be returned after 28 days. Catchwords: Torts – negligence – motor vehicle accident – plaintiff with very extensive prior medical history – serious injury to left knee about two weeks prior to subject accident – serious injury after motor vehicle accident - proper approach – liability not in issue – contributory negligence in issue – whether substantial discount in damages warranted Legislation Cited: Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) Cases Cited: Allen v Chadwick (2015) 256 CLR 148 Croucher v Cachia [2016] NSWCA 132 Cubillo v Commonwealth of Australia (No 2) [2000] FCA 1084; (2000) 103 FCR 1 Curtis v Harden Shire Council [2014] NSWCA 314 Dal v Chol [2018] NSWCA 219 Danckert v Tonkin [2015] NSWSC 1570 Gulic v Angelovski [2018] NSWCA 161 Hyjer v Lopes [2018] NSWDC 8 Jay v Baker [2018] NSWDC 270 Malec v JC Hutton [1990] HCA 20; (1990) 169 CLR 638 Metaxoulis v McDonalds Australia Ltd [2015] NSWCA 95 Metro North Hospital and Health Service v Pierce [2018] NSWCA 11 Purkess v Crittenden [1965] HCA 34; (1965) 114 CLR 164 Seltsam Pty Ltd v Ghaleb [2005] NSWCA 208 Serrao v Cornelius (No 2) [2016] NSWCA 231 Smith v Zhang [2012] NSWCA 142 Strong v Woolworths Ltd (2012) 246 CLR 182 Trazivuc v Motor Accidents Authority [2010] NSWCA 287 Wallace v Kam (2013) 250 CLR 375 Watts v Rake [1960] HCA 58; (1960) 108 CLR 158 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Gael McPherson (Plaintiff) Margaret Dowell (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: K Balendra (Plaintiff) J Catsanos (Defendant)