Caruana v Ski Riders Motel (Kosciuszko) Pty Ltd, trading as Ski Rider Hotel Motel [2019] NSWDC 182

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Caruana v Ski Riders Motel (Kosciuszko) Pty Ltd, trading as Ski Rider Hotel Motel [2019] NSWDC 182 Hearing dates: 19-21 February 2019 Date of orders: 17 May 2019 Decision date: 17 May 2019 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Weinstein SC DCJ Decision: (1) Verdict and judgment for the defendant;

(2) The exhibits are to be returned;

(3) The plaintiff is to pay the defendant's costs of the proceedings on the ordinary basis unless a party is able to demonstrate an entitlement for some other costs order; and

(4) Liberty to apply on seven (7) days notice if further or other orders are required, including as to costs. Catchwords: Torts – negligence – occupier's liability – fall in modular bathroom – obvious risk – medical causation – assessment of damages Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002, ss 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5R, 16 Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), Schedule 2 Evidence Act 1995, s 140 Motor Accidents Act 1988, ss 79, 79A Cases Cited: Arthur Robinson (Grafton) Pty Limited v Carter (1967-1968) 122 CLR 649 Australian Safeway Stores v Zaluzna (1987) 162 CLR Berkeley Challenge Pty Ltd v Howarth [2013] NSWCA 370 Cupac v Cannone [2015] NSWCA 114 Clifton & Ors v Lewis [2012] NSWCA 229 Dell v Dalton (1991) 23 NSWLR 528 Hall v State of New South Wales [2014] NSWCA 154 Jaber v Rockdale Council: [2008] NSWCA 98 Majkic v Bonanno [2008] NSWCA 253 Moran v Nominal Defendant [2008] NSWSC 804 Schultz v McCormack [2015] NSWCA 330 Southgate v Waterford (1990) 21 NSWLR 427 State Rail Authority of New South Wales v Earthline Constructions Pty Limited (in liq) [1999] HCA 3 Strong v Woolworths Ltd [2012] HCA 5 Zhang v Golden Eagle International Trading Pty Ltd & Ors [2006] NSWCA 25 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Karen Caruana (Plaintiff) Ski Riders Motel (Kosciuszko) Pty Ltd, trading as Ski Rider Hotel Motel (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr McManamey (Plaintiff) Mr Priestly SC (Defendant)