The 'very considerable' test in s 134AB(38)(c) of the Accident Compensation Act 1985 (Vic) must be applied to the pain and suffering consequences of an impairment considered as a whole; it is an error to apply the test separately to different categories of consequences such as restrictions on activities and the experience of pain. A judge should not make adverse findings on credit where credit has not been placed in issue by either party, the findings are not reflected in examining doctors' views, and the findings are not supported by the evidence as a whole. The endurance of permanent daily pain requiring frequent medication raises a real prospect of 'very considerable' consequences.
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