Green v Matheson [1989] NZCA 195; [1989] 3 NZLR 564; [1990] NZAR 49 is a cited case in New Zealand regarding compensation for medical misadventure.[1]

Green v Matheson
CourtCourt of Appeal of New Zealand
Full case name George Herbert Green v Veronica Clare Matheson
Decided27 October 1989
Citation[1989] NZCA 195; [1989] 3 NZLR 564; [1990] NZAR 49
TranscriptCourt of Appeal judgment
Court membership
Judges sittingCooke P, Somers J, Casey J, Hardie Boys, Wylie J
Keywords
negligence

Background

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Matheson was a victim of the "unfortunate experiment" at the National Women's Hospital, which was investigated by the Cartwright Inquiry. Doctor Green was her gynaecologist. Barred by the Accident Compensation Act to sue for negligence, she sued instead for trespass to her person.

Held

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The Court of Appeal sitting as a bench of 5, ruled that her claim came under the term of medical misadventure, which was barred under the Act

References

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  1. ^ McLay, Geoff (2003). Butterworths Student Companion Torts (4th ed.). LexisNexis. ISBN 0-408-71686-X.