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Barclay v Penberthy
Penberthy v Barclay

[2012] HCA 40
Judgment date
Case number
P55/2011
P57/2011
Before
French CJ, Gummow, Hayne, Heydon, Crennan, Kiefel, Bell JJ
Catchwords

Negligence – Pure economic loss – Plane crash caused by engine failure and negligent response of pilot – Whether damages recoverable for pure economic loss suffered by employer due to injury to employees.

Tort – Action per quod servitium amisit – Whether absorbed into tort of negligence – Whether action per quod servitium amisit exists under common law of Australia.

Tort – Action per quod servitium amisit – Measure of damages – Remoteness –Whether damages recoverable calculated by price of substitute less wages no longer paid to injured employee.

Tort – Rule in Baker v Bolton – Whether employer can recover for death of employee.

Words and phrases – "per quod servitium amisit", "pure economic loss", "vulnerability".

Files
40.rtf (605.13 KB)
40.pdf (343.07 KB)