by David Kidd | May 3, 2015 | Uncategorized
Boomgate See Simmons v Rockdale City Council and St George Sailing Club 27/9/13 [2013] NSWSC 1431 [65 MVR 141] per Hall J. P, an experienced sports cyclist, was seriously injured when he struck a boom gate (a solid swinging gate) whilst on an early morning ride. The gate was at the exterior of a car park adjacent to D2’s sailing club premises. The gate had been placed there by D1, in exercise of its powers, to minimize hoon driving in the car park. D1 joined D2 on the basis it had failed to move the boom gate back into position after securing it at night. The Trial Judge, in a lengthy decision, found D1 responsible for the accident. D1 was aware this car park was commonly used as a short cut by cyclists and owed a duty to ensure the boom gate was not a hazard. The arrangement between D1 and D2 as to the opening and closing of the gate was vague, relying on a cleaner employed by D2, and His Honour dismissed the claim against D2, citing an absence of duty. There had been occasional other accidents with cyclists hitting the gate and D1 was obliged to find a better system of stowing the gate. In those incidents the riders observed the gate and were able to reduce speed to avoid significant impact. His Honour found that P had contributed, to the extent of 20%, to the accident for failing to take care for his own safety. Section 87, 114 & 115(2) of Roads Act and s43A of CLA considered. No failure to exercise a statutory power...
by David Kidd | May 3, 2015 | Uncategorized
ACT … Wrist See Papp v Finley & Insurance Australia Limited 23/4/15 [2015] ACTSC 74 where P, who is now 53, injured her wrist and shoulder in a car accident in July 2011. “With respect to the right wrist, it was established [P] … suffered a tear of the lunotriquetral ligament” @5. P suffered a “severe anxiety response which is noticeable when she is a driver or passenger in a motor vehicle” @9. P is slower at performing her duties as system operator. “[B]efore the accident, the plaintiff was very active and was able to cope with all household activities and those at work. Since the accident, the plaintiff has endeavoured to maintain her full-time employment which she has been able to do because her employer has given her different duties. In the household … the plaintiff now requires assistance, due to her ongoing pain in her right wrist and left shoulder, in undertaking some household tasks” @111. P has had no time off work since early 2012. P’s right hand and shoulder can be easily aggravated. If P decides not to have a shoulder operation she will be restricted to lighter work. “Such aggravation could jeopardise her employment and impact adversely upon her ability to perform domestic duties” @126. Cowdroy AJ assessed P as entitled to $90,000.00 by way of general damages. The effects of those injuries are continuing, disabling and painful, which will almost certainly affect her in the fulfilment of both her work and domestic duties. Those injuries can lead to periods of incapacity, which affect her in her employment and her home duties” @132. Other...
by David Kidd | May 3, 2015 | Uncategorized
Dismissal – Lawful practice, policy, regs etc (not following) [2015] FWC 1838 SA Felton v BHP (a clean shaven policy existed at R “in the context of the need to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), being Respirator Protective Equipment (RPE) – face masks or respirators. This need arises due to the nature of the mining and processing environment and in particular potential exposure to Crystalline Silica and other dusts, diesel particulate matter (DPM) and radon decay products … The extended application of the clean-shaven policy arose from advice received by BHP Billiton in 2013 that DPM was a human carcinogen and that further control measures should be adopted to limit exposure … [A] has for many years had a goatee beard and a moustache. There is no dispute that this is not consistent with the clean-shaven policy and would prevent the kind of respirator intended for supply by BHP Billiton to Mr Felton from working appropriately” @5-7 – A contended the “clean-shaven policy and the related instruction was not valid in light of the circumstances including the statutory requirements for consultation on such matters … [and] there was not a causal connection between the policy and the alleged work health and safety … risk, in light of the offer to purchase the more advanced protection afforded by the Airstream helmet” @9 – valid reason found – dismissal not harsh...
by David Kidd | Apr 22, 2015 | Uncategorized
In Kigetzis v Roche 19/12/14 [2014] VSC 657 per Rush J, P was injured when struck by a motor vehicle whilst walking across a pedestrian crossing. After hearing evidence from witnesses His Honour found as a fact that the walk signal was red for P. P “did not check the lights, or for traffic, immediately prior to crossing the intersection. He had no regard to his own safety or to that of other road users” @29. Nevertheless, D driver was found negligent. He was aware, for at least 8 seconds, that a bus and car were stationary at the lights after they had changed to green. This, combined with D’s lack of vision of the pedestrian crossing due to the bus demanded caution on his part. He did not control his vehicle “in such a way that the driver may know what is happening in the vicinity of the vehicle in time to take reasonable steps to react to those events” per Manley v Alexander [2005] HCA 79. D should also have borne in mind the devastating injury that a car approaching a crossing could do to a pedestrian. For his part, P failed to comply with the fundamental obligations of a reasonable pedestrian. Though he showed a lack of due care D did enter the intersection legally with a green light and at a permitted speed. It was just and equitable that P’s damages be reduced by...
by David Kidd | Apr 22, 2015 | Uncategorized
[2015] FWC 423 SA Rowe v Reece Pty Ltd (the A’s son also employed by R – A concerned about potential impact on son – such not an exceptional circumstance justifying extension)
