Marina Pitsonis v Registrar of the Workers Compensation Commission & Anor

(2008) 73 NSWLR 366; [2008] NSWCA 88

NSW Court of Appeal

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Interrogate

Catchwords

1. Workers Compensation
2. › Proceedings to obtain compensation
3. › Determinations of claims
4. › Medical assessments
5. › Appeal from assessment of approved medical specialist
6. › Gatekeeper role of Registrar
7. › Whether arguable grounds of appeal existed
8. › Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 (NSW), s327
1. Workers Compensation
2. › Proceedings to obtain compensation
3. › Determinations of claims
4. › Medical assessments
5. › Incorrect criteria ground of appeal
6. › Whether factual errors constitute incorrect criteria
7. › Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 (NSW), s327(3)(c)
1. Workers Compensation
2. › Proceedings to obtain compensation
3. › Determinations of claims
4. › Medical assessments
5. › Demonstrable error ground of appeal
6. › Whether error must appear on face of certificate
7. › Whether extrinsic evidence may establish demonstrable error
8. › Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 (NSW), s327(3)(d)
1. Administrative Law
2. › Judicial review
3. › Jurisdictional error
4. › Review of administrative decision-maker's reasons
5. › Standard of scrutiny of reasons
6. › Whether reasons construed minutely with eye keenly attuned to perception of error

Quick Take

Factual errors in a Medical Assessment Certificate do not constitute 'incorrect criteria' under s327(3)(c); that ground is confined to failure to apply the tests in the WorkCover Guidelines. 'Demonstrable error' under s327(3)(d) requires error apparent on the face of the Certificate — it cannot be established by extrinsic evidence not falling within s327(3)(a) or (b). Complaints about clinical judgment in applying factual data to the correct criteria will not satisfy either ground.