Abdul-Massih v Abdul-Massih [2001] VSCA 231
[2001] VSCA 231
At a glance
Source factsCourt
Court of Appeal (Vic)
Decision date
2001-12-14
Before
WINNEKE, P., BUCHANAN and VINCENT, JJ.A.
Source
Original judgment source is linked above.
Judgment (56 paragraphs)
[ 2001] VSCA 231
Damages - Personal injury - Motor vehicle accident - Damages for pecuniary loss - Jury assessment manifestly inadequate.
- I have had the advantage of reading, in draft form, the reasons for judgment of Vincent, J.A. I agree with his Honour that the jury's assessment of pecuniary loss damages was manifestly inadequate and that there should be a re-trial on the issue of damages. Counsel for the appellant asked this Court, in the event that we concluded that the jury's award in respect of pecuniary loss damages was unreasonable, to re-assess those damages ourselves. However, counsel for the respondent submitted that, in the event predicated, we should direct a re-trial of all issues because there were a number of matters in dispute on the issue of damages, including the credibility of the appellant. Although this Court has the power to assess damages in the events which have happened on this appeal (s.14(1) ), and although, for my own part, I would normally strive to do so, I have formed the view, essentially because of the matters advanced by counsel for the respondent, that it is appropriate in this case that the whole issue of damages be re-tried.