Model and author Tara Moss claims NSW doctor caused disability and economic loss
Model and author Tara Moss claims she has been forced to put parts of her career on hold as she sues a NSW doctor for negligence.
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Model and author Tara Moss will have to undergo further testing as she prepares for a hearing against a Blue Mountains doctor who she accuses of negligence that caused ongoing injuries, disabilities and economic loss.
The Canadian-born 48-year-old did not appear at the NSW Supreme Court on Wednesday as an interim judgment was handed down in her civil matter against her former GP, Dr Chris Coghill.
Ms Moss, who has now returned to Canada, is suing Dr Coghill on the basis she claims he failed to diagnose a hip issue during eight consultations over an 18-month period and caused her ongoing injuries and disabilities and economic loss.
But Dr Coghill is defending the matter and strongly denies the allegations, claiming Ms Moss contributed to her health issues through her own negligence.
In her judgment issued on Wednesday, Justice Joanne Harrison revealed that Dr Coghill had requested Ms Moss be re-examined by an occupational therapist in Canada.
Dr Coghill said by the time the matter goes to trial in May 2023, the prior occupational therapist’s assessment would be two years and eight months old.
Ms Moss was examined in June 2020 by Kathryn Caukill.
“The defendant does not seek to qualify a different specialist in that field for any reason other than to update the evidence upon which he proposes to rely, having regard to the fact that by the time of the hearing, Ms Caukill’s assessment will be two years and eight months old,” Justice Harrison said.
Ms Moss opposed the application, maintaining that she can be adequately re-examined by Ms Caukill via video link.
Justice Harrison sided with the doctor and ordered Ms Moss to undergo medical examination with a Canadian occupation therapist, with the costs covered by Dr Coghill.
On her Instagram page, Ms Moss describes herself as a disability advocate and is frequently pictured using a walking stick and wheelchair.
She even created an account for her walking stick “Wolfie” that she has used since early 2016. The account has more than 5000 followers.
At a previous hearing, Ms Moss’ barrister Richard Cheney told the court that some parts of Ms Moss’ career were put on hold as a result of her condition.
The court was told that she required ongoing assistance and was seeking an “extremely large claim” against her former doctor.
“The defendant’s own evidence from (another doctor) was that the prognosis for someone suffering chronic pelvic pain, the central contribution is generally poor,” Mr Cheney said.
“And Ms Moss is presently unfit, when he saw her at least, to undertake her modelling, media and public speaking events as a result of her condition.
“He also opined that she required domestic assistance to assist her and unless her condition improves, that will persist. It’s potentially an extremely large claim.”
In her statement of claim lodged with the court, Ms Moss says she underwent an egg retrieval process in January 2016 that resulted in her experiencing pain in the right side of her pelvis.
In March 2016 she underwent another procedure during which she was administered a general anaesthetic, her legs were placed in stirrups and afterwards was unable to walk.
That same month she was working at a photoshoot but was unable to stand.
The court was told Dr Coghill treated Ms Moss when she first complained about the pain and went to him on eight occasions from February 2016 to September 2017.
Ms Moss says she consulted another GP in the Sydney CBD in March 2018 who immediately referred her for an MRI that discovered a lateral tear around the hip socket before she underwent surgery two months later.
According to Ms Moss, Dr Coghill ought to have known that she could have suffered a labral tear during the gynaecological procedure in 2016.
Ms Moss also claims that he failed his duty of care by failing to properly diagnose her or refer her to specialists or for scans.
As a result of Dr Coghill’s alleged negligence, she claims to have developed complications, including chronic hip and back pain, nerve damage, an abnormal gait and psychological injuries.
She further claims to require ongoing treatment and to have suffered economic loss as a result of her injuries.
As part of his defence, Dr Coghill claims the tear was not present when he treated her.
Dr Coghill has denied the allegation of negligence, saying that he acted in a professional and competent manner.
He claimed Ms Moss contributed to her own injuries by failing to inform him during their consultations that she was suffering from hip pain.
“The defendant says that if any damages were suffered by the plaintiffs as alleged (which is denied), they were caused or contributed to by the first plaintiff’s own negligence,” he said in his statement of defence.
The case will hinge on complex medical issues and the competing views of doctors.
The matter will go to trial in May 2023.
Originally published as Model and author Tara Moss claims NSW doctor caused disability and economic loss
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