Ferguson and Ferguson v. Matchette and C. & J. Enterprises Ltd., (1982) 37 N.B.R.(2d) 643 (TD)

• Judge: Jean, J.
• Court: Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick (Canada)
• Case Date: January 05, 1982
• Jurisdiction: New Brunswick
• Citations: (1982), 37 N.B.R.(2d) 643 (TD)

Ferguson v. Matchette (1982), 37 N.B.R.(2d) 643 (TD);

    37 R.N.-B.(2e) 643; 97 A.P.R. 643

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Ferguson and Ferguson v. Matchette and C. & J. Enterprises Ltd.

Indexed As: Ferguson and Ferguson v. Matchette and C. & J. Enterprises Ltd.

Répertorié: Ferguson and Ferguson v. Matchette and C. & J. Enterprises Ltd.

New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench

Trial Division

Jean, J.

January 5, 1982.

Summary:

Résumé:

The plaintiff husband and wife brought a negligence action for damages for personal injuries. The defendants admitted liability.

The New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, assessed damages.

Damage Awards - Topic 59

Injury and death - Body injuries - Hip - 58 year old male plaintiff - Shattered hip socket - Several operations including two hip replacements - Softening of cartilage in knee and thinning of bone - Totally disabled for 3½ years - Permanent partial disability, depression and lost libido - The New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, awarded the plaintiff $50,000. nonpecuniary damages - See paragraphs 7 to 31, 50 to 56, 108 to 110.

Damage Awards - Topic 109

Injury and death - Head injuries - Fracture of facial bones - 54 year old female plaintiff - Multiple facial bruising and abrasions - Fractured cheekbone and lower jaw with permanent instability - Abnormality with dentures which could lead to joint problems - Leg injury requiring sutures - Loss of consortium (plaintiff's husband severely injured in same accident) - The New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, awarded the plaintiff $18,000 for nonpecuniary general damages including loss of consortium - See paragraphs 32 to 49 and 111 to 115.

Damages - Topic 1560

General damages for personal injuries - Factors tending to reduce award - The New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, referred to a case where reduction was not made to a large lump sum for loss of future earnings because only three years of future earnings were involved - See paragraphs 88 to 89.

Damages - Topic 1565

General damages for personal injuries - Deductions or payments to be considered - Income tax - The New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, stated that taxation of future earnings should not be considered in assessing damages for loss of earnings - See paragraph 71.

Damages - Topic 1550

General damages for personal injuries - Future loss of wages - Pension and unemployment insurance contributions - The New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, stated that contributions under the Canada Pension Act and Unemployment Insurance Act are not to be deducted from the plaintiff's salary when determining damages for loss of wages - See paragraph 73.

Torts - Topic 346

Negligence - Motor vehicle - Passengers - Contributory negligence of - Failure to use safety equipment - Seat belts - The New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, refused to hold the plaintiff driver and passenger contributorily negligent for failing to wear their seat belts, because the defendant failed to establish that the plaintiffs' injuries would have been avoided or less severe had they been wearing their seat belts - See paragraphs 117 to 152.

Torts - Topic 4844

Interference with domestic relations - Husband and wife - Loss of consortium - The New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, awarded a wife damages for loss of consortium - See paragraphs 111 to 115.

Cases Noticed:

Guy v. Trizec, [1979] 2 S.C.R. 756; 27 N.R. 301; 32 N.S.R.(2d) 345; 54 A.P.R. 345, reversing 26 N.S.R.(2d) 1; 40 A.P.R. 1, folld. [para. 71].

R. v. Jennings, [1966] S.C.R. 532, refd to. [para. 71].

Canadian Pacific Ltd. et al. v. Cill et al., [1973] S.C.R. 654, refd to. [para. 73].

Andrews et al. v. Grand & Toy (Alberta) Ltd. [1978] 2 S.C.R. 229; 19 N.R. 50; 8 A.R. 182; [1978] 1 W.W.R. 557; 83 D.L.R.(3d) 452, folld. [para. 90].

Guy v. Trizec Equities Ltd. et al. (1978), 26 N.B.R.(2d) 1; 40 A.P.R. 1, reversed [1979] 2 S.C.R. 756; 27 N.R. 301; 32 N.S.R.(2d) 345; 54 A.P.R. 345, refd to. [para. 101].

Godin, Brun and Caissie (1980), 28 N.B.R.(2d) 643; 63 A.P.R. 643, consd. [para. 102].

Hawes v. Szewczvk (1979), 1 Man.R.(2d) 226, consd. [para. 107].

Roussel v. Province of New Brunswick (1977), 17 N.B.R.(2d) 607; 23 A.P.R. 607, consd. [para. 113].

Ward v. Frenette (1975), 10 N.B.R.(2d) 224; 4 A.P.R. 224, refd to. [para. 114].

Violette et al. v. Martin et al. (1976), 14 N.B.R.(2d) 359; 15 A.P.R. 359, refd to. [para. 114].

Adams et al. v. Caron et al. (1977), 17 N.B.R.(2d) 492; 23 A.P.R. 492, refd to. [para. 114].

Haley v. Richardson et al. (1975), 9 N.B.R.(2d) 318; 1 A.P.R. 318, consd. [para. 118].

McIllvraith v. Melles (1980), 27 N.B.R.(2d) 388; 60 A.P.R. 388, refd to. [para. 119].

Froom v. Butcher, [1975] 3 All E.R. 520, refd to. [para. 119].

Godin et al. v. Bourque (1980), 28 N.B.R.(2d) 643; 63 A.P.R. 643, affd. in part 32 N.B.R.(2d) 45; 78 A.P.R. 45, refd to. [para. 119].

Godin et al. v. Bourque (1981), 32 N.B.R.(2d) 45; 78 A.P.R. 45, affing in part 28 N.B.R.(2d) 643; 63 A.P.R. 643, refd to. [para. 119].

Counsel:

Thomas W. Riordon, for the plaintiff;

A.G. Warwick Gilbert, for the defendant.

This case was heard by JEAN, J., of the New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, who on January 5, 1982, delivered the following judgment: