Bosch v McCain Foods (Australia) Pty Ltd [2019] NSWSC 1390

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Bosch v McCain Foods (Australia) Pty Ltd [2019] NSWSC 1390 Hearing dates: 20 June 2019 Decision date: 15 October 2019 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Simpson AJ Decision: (1) Declare that the Medical Assessment Certificate issued on 26 July 2018 is vitiated by jurisdictional error; (2) Declare that the decision of the Appeal Panel of 23 November 2018 is vitiated by jurisdictional error and error of law on the face of the record; (3) Quash the determination of the Appeal Panel of 23 November 2018; (4) Order that the plaintiff's appeal from the determination of the approved medical assessor of 26 July 2018 be remitted to the Workers Compensation Commission for determination according to law; (5) Order the first defendant to pay the plaintiff's costs of these proceedings. Catchwords: WORKERS' COMPENSATION – plaintiff injured at work – claim for compensation for permanent impairment – whether permanent impairment necessarily from work injury – medical assessment certificate issued by approved medical specialist – appeal to Appeal Panel – determination of causation

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – review under s 69 of the Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW) – failure to address plaintiff's argument – whether jurisdictional error – whether error of law on the face of the record – whether constructive failure to exercise jurisdiction by Appeal Panel Legislation Cited: State Insurance and Care Governance Act 2015 (NSW) Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 69 Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 2A, 4, 9, 60, 65, 66, 151H Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 (NSW), ss 60, 321, 325, 327, 328 Cases Cited: AAI Ltd trading as GIO as agent for the Nominal Defendant v McGiffen [2016] NSWCA 229; (2016) 77 MVR 348 Bindah v Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts Australia Pty Ltd [2014] NSWCA 264; (2014) 13 DDCR 156 Craig v The State of South Australia (1995) 184 CLR 163; [1995] HCA 58 D'Ament v Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd [2019] NSWCA 201 Dranichnikov v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs [2003] HCA 26; (2003) 77 ALJR 1088 Ex parte Hebburn Ltd; Re Kearsley Shire Council (1947) 47 SR (NSW) 416 Garner v Burns Philp & Co Ltd (1949) 49 SR (NSW) 270 Haroun v Rail Corporation New South Wales [2008] NSWCA 192; (2008) 7 DDCR 139 Kirk v Industrial Court of New South Wales (2010) 239 CLR 531; [2010] HCA 1 Kooragang Cement Pty Ltd v Bates (1994) 35 NSWLR 452 Lindeman Ltd v Colvin (1946) 74 CLR 313; [1946] HCA 35 March v E & MH Stramare Pty Ltd (1991) 171 CLR 506; [1991] HCA 12 Migge v Wormald Bros Industries Ltd (1973) 47 ALJR 236 Migge v Wormald Bros Industries Ltd [1972] 2 NSWLR 29 New South Wales Police Force v Registrar of the Workers Compensation Commission of New South Wales [2013] NSWSC 1792 Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs; Ex parte Miah (2001) 206 CLR 57; [2001] HCA 22 Shirt v Calico Printers' Association Ltd [1909] 2 KB 51 Siddik v Workcover Authority of NSW [2008] NSWCA 116; (2008) 6 DDCR 228 Wingfoot Australia Partners Pty Ltd v Kocak (2013) 252 CLR 480; [2013] HCA 43 Zanardo & Rodriguez Sales & Services Pty Ltd v Tolevski [2013] NSWCA 449; (2013) 12 DDCR 515 Texts Cited: American Medical Association's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment Permanent Impairment Guidelines, cl 7.14 Workers Compensation Guidelines Category: Principal judgment Parties: Noelle Bosch (Plaintiff) McCain Foods (Australia) Pty Ltd (First Defendant) Workers Compensation Commission of NSW (Second Defendant) The Medical Appeal Panel of the Workers Compensation Commission of NSW (Third Defendant) Representation: Counsel: D J Hooke SC/E E Grotte (Plaintiff) P Perry (First Defendant) Submitting Appearance (Second and Third Defendants)