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WorkCover Division Judgments 2012

Selected judgments handed down in the Workcover Division of the Magistrates' Court of Victoria during 2012:

Berryman v Saferoads Pty Ltd Magistrate: S. Garnett
Hearing at: Latrobe Valley
Date of Hearing: 20 February 2012
Date of Decision: 13 March 2012
Reasons for Decision
S 109 Rejection – Assault by co-worker on journey home from Christmas function after worker engaged in abusive, drunken and provocative behaviour: issue whether injury arose out of or in course of employment: S 82 (1), S 82 (4) – serious and wilful misconduct
Casey v Direct Skills Magistrate: B Wright
Hearing at: Melbourne 20 December 2011
Date of Decision: 31 January 2012
Reasons for Decision
Accepted Claim – Weekly Payments – Failure to Provide Certificates of Capacity Within 90 Days – Effect on Entitlement to Weekly Payments for Relevant Period – Accident Compensation Act s. 111 (1), (1A) and (4)
Lee v W Sinclair and Sons Magistrate P. Lauritsen
Hearing at: Melbourne 16, 17 January 2012
Date of Decision: 31 January 2012
Reasons for Decision
Plaintiff and defendant settled an earlier worker’s compensation claim, subsequent to which the plaintiff returned to work – plaintiff’s current claim for compensation for injury arising out of the course of employment – Accident Compensation Act 1985, s 82(2A), inconsistencies arising as to whether a return to work plan constituted “redeployment” or “reclassification” – aggravation of pre-existing mental injury – no current work capacity – application of the rule in Browne v Dunn (1893) 6 R 67 – no estoppel in relation to latest injury.
Mullett v Ramahyuck Magistrate S Garnett
Hearing ar : Latrobe Valley
Date of Hearing: 2 December 2011
Date of Decision: 13 January 2012
Reason for Decisions:
S 109 Rejection: – denial of injury and incapacity – Anxiety/Depression
O'Dea v L'Oreal Australia Pty Ltd Magistrate: B Wright
Hearing at: Melbourne 27 January 2012
Date of Decision: 15 February 2012
Reasons for Decision
Workers Compensation – Rejection of Claim – Whether Injury Deemed To or Arose Out of or in Course of Employment – Whether “Incidental” to Employment – Accident Compensation Act 1985 ss 82, 83(1)(b)
Popov v Ainsaar Magistrate S Garnett
Hearing at: Melbourne
Date of Hearing: 24, 25 October, 8 December 2011
Date of Decision: 13 January 2012 Reasons for Decision
S 109 Rejection – Left Shoulder injury – issue at hearing: capacity – Liability not contested
Stitt v Amcor Magistrate B Wright
Hearing at: Melbourne, 20 January 2012
Date of Decision: 1 February 2012
Reasons for Decision
Rejected Claim for Compensation – Whether “dispute” between parties – Whether “dispute” between parties referred for conciliation and certificate issued by Conciliation Officer – Accident Compensation Act ss. 39(1), 49(1).
Sullivan v Toll Holdings Magistrate: S.Garnett
Hearing at: Melbourne
Date of Hearing: 13 March 2012
Date of Decision: 22 March 2011
Reasons for Decision
S 88 (4) – Industrial Deafness – date of injury: issue whether exposure and injury occurred with defendant as last employer.