A nurses compensation claim – Chopra v State of NSW

The NSW Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal brought by Ms. Chopra, a nurse who was assaulted at Blacktown Hospital against an order of the District Court that required her to undergo psychometric testing in the course of her workers compensation claim against South Western Sydney Local Health District.

This article provides a summary of Chopra v State of NSW (South Western Sydney Local Health District) [2023] NSWCA 142.

Ms. Chopra was assaulted by a patient in the course of her employment and while undertaking her duties as a nurse at Blacktown Hospital. She suffered physical and psychological injuries and was subsequently diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.

She commenced proceedings for work injury damages in the District Court of NSW against the State of NSW (South Western Sydney Local Health District). The parties exchanged a Pre-Filing Statement and a Pre-Filing Defence as required by the legislation prior to the commencement of her