Rodd v Hall [2019] NSWSC 1304

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Rodd v Hall [2019] NSWSC 1304 Hearing dates: 14 August 2019; 15 August, 2019; 16 August, 2019; 19 August, 2019 Decision date: 30 September 2019 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Hoeben CJ at CL Decision: (1) Verdict in favour of the plaintiff against the defendants in the amount of $470,690.92 and judgment accordingly. (2) The defendants are to pay the plaintiff's costs of these proceedings, as agreed or assessed. Catchwords: TORTS – negligence – personal injury – plaintiff slipped on wet tiles – content of duty of care – Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) – identification of risk of harm – breach of duty and causation established – finding of contributory negligence – verdict in favour of plaintiff – assessment of damages – identification of injuries caused by fall – whether plaintiff's symptoms caused by fall – verdict and judgment in favour of the plaintiff. Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) – s 5B, 5C, 5D, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5R, 5S Cases Cited: Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Moubarak (2009) 239 CLR 420; [2009] HCA 48 Australian Safeway Stores Pty Ltd v Zaluzna (1987) 162 CLR 479; [1987] HCA 7 Joslyn v Berryman (2003) 214 CLR 552; [2003] HCA 34 Podrebersek v Australian Iron and Steel Pty Ltd (1985) 59 ALJR 492; [1985] HCA 34 Vairy v Wyong Shire Council (2005) 223 CLR 422; [2005] HCA 62 Texts Cited: Australian Standard Handbook HB 197 – An Introductory Guide to the Slip Resistance of Pedestrian Surface Materials (Standards Australia, Sydney, New South Wales) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Kim Rodd – Plaintiff Peta Ann Hall – First Defendant Cameron Charles Hall – Second Defendant Malcolm McInnes – Third Defendant Malcolm McInnes as Executor of the Estate of Robyn Joy McInnes – Fourth Defendant Representation: Counsel: M Cranitch SC/M Inglis – Plaintiff D Kelly – Defendants