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Appeals


The lower court’s dismissal of plaintiff’s slip and fall case from alleged dangerous bathroom stairs in their Church is unanimously reversed by Appellate Court.

Reyes v Latin Am. Pentecostal Church of God Inc., 121 N.Y.S.3d 26, 181 AD3d 459 [1st Dept 2020].

The plaintiff alleged that this East Harlem Church provided a set of dangerous stairs to walk down to reach the stalls in the women’s bathroom. It was alleged that the handrail fell off and was not replaced, non-skid rubber treads on the stairs fell off and were not replaced, the two steps were at different heights, the first step down sloped downward, and the bottom floor sloped was not level, sloping downward at a 7 percent incline.

On top of that, the entire floor and stairway was made of tile without floor mats despite the defendant acknowledging a history of flooding 2-3x/month in the bathroom during large services such as the one when the accident occurred. The only thing placed down to absorb the water on the floor was a piece of cardboard laid at the bottom of the stairs that was already soaked through. On the evening of the accident, the entire bathroom floor was covered in dirty patches of muddy water tracked inside from the snow on the ground. No one mopped the floor during the two- hour service and the plaintiff took two steps down and slipped backwards, reaching for something to hold onto without success.

The people working at the defendant’s Church admitted that they knew the stairs two years earlier were “a little dangerous,” and “get slippery.” The defendants never had the bathroom inspected for safety since it was renovated 30 years ago. Nine warning signs were supposedly placed on the stairs the year before the accident, but none were up at the time of the accident according to five eyewitnesses. The Honorable David Benjamin Cohen, a Manhattan Supreme Court Judge, dismissed the injured plaintiff’s case, disregarding the plaintiff and eyewitness testimony, and relying upon an expert’s friction test 4 ½ years after the accident on a completely dry floor and different place in the bathroom where the accident occurred. We appealed and argued the case before four Appellate judges who each found the lower court’s ruling was contrary to the law and reversed his decision, allowing the case to proceed to trial.

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Defendant and their counsel conceal evidence, monetary sanctions insufficient punishment.

Lucas v. Stam, 147 A.D.3d 921, 48 N.Y.S.3d 150 [2d Dept. 2017]

The defendant and their counsel tried to conceal evidence. The lower court merely ordered a $15,000 monetary sanction which was more like a reward than a punishment. The Appellate court reversed the lower court finding that the conducted warranted the most severe sanction of striking their Answers.

In an action to recover damages for medical malpractice and lack of informed consent, (1) (a) the plaintiff appeals, as limited by her brief, from so much of an amended order of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Jacobson, J.), dated April 4, 2014, as granted that branch of her motion which was pursuant to CPLR 3126 to strike the separate answers of the defendants Susan Gordon, Pawan Bhatnagar, William M. Schiff, and New York Presbyterian Hospital Columbia University Medical Center for failure to comply with court-ordered discovery only to the extent of imposing a monetary sanction upon them and their counsel, nonparty Martin Clearwater & Bell, LLP, and (b) the defendants Susan Gordon, Pawan Bhatnagar, William M. Schiff, and New York Presbyterian Hospital Columbia University Medical Center, and nonparty Martin Clearwater & Bell, LLP, cross-appeal, as limited by their brief, from so much of the same amended order as granted those branches of the plaintiff’s motion which were pursuant to CPLR 3126 to strike the separate answers of those defendants for failure to comply with court-ordered discovery to the extent of imposing a monetary sanction upon them and pursuant to 22 NYCRR 130-1.1 to impose a monetary sanction upon nonparty Martin Clearwater & Bell, LLP, and (2) (a) the plaintiff appeals, as limited by her brief, from so much of an order of the same court dated November 12, 2014, as denied those branches of her motion which were for leave to renew that branch of the prior motion which was pursuant to CPLR 3126 to strike the separate answers of the defendants Susan Gordon, Pawan Bhatnagar, William M. Schiff, and New York Presbyterian Hospital Columbia University Medical Center, to strike the answer of the defendant Columbia Ophthalmology Consultants, and for leave to enter a default judgment against the defendant Columbia Ophthalmology Consultants, and (b) the defendants Susan Gordon, Pawan Bhatnagar, William M. Schiff, Columbia Ophthalmology Consultants, and New York Presbyterian Hospital Columbia University Medical Center cross-appeal, as limited by their brief, from so much of the order dated November 12, 2014, as denied their cross motion pursuant to 22 NYCRR 130-1.1 to impose costs and sanctions upon the plaintiff’s counsel.

ORDERED that the amended order dated April 4, 2014, is reversed insofar as appealed and cross-appealed from, on the facts and in the exercise of discretion, that branch of the plaintiff’s motion which was pursuant to CPLR 3126 to strike the separate answers of the defendants Susan Gordon, Pawan Bhatnagar, William M. Schiff, and New York Presbyterian Hospital Columbia University Medical Center for failure to comply with court-ordered discovery is granted, and that branch of the plaintiff’s motion which was pursuant to 22 NYCRR 130-1.1 to impose a monetary sanction upon nonparty Martin Clearwater & Bell, LLP, is denied; and it is further,
ORDERED that the appeal from so much of the order dated November 12, 2014, as denied that branch of the plaintiff’s motion which was for leave to renew that branch of the prior motion which was pursuant to CPLR 3126 to strike the separate answers of the defendants Susan Gordon, Pawan Bhatnagar, William M. Schiff, and New York Presbyterian Hospital Columbia University Medical Center for failure to comply with court-ordered discovery is dismissed as academic in light of our determination on the appeal from the amended order dated April 4, 2014; and it is further,
ORDERED that the order dated November 12, 2014, is affirmed insofar as reviewed on the appeal and insofar as cross-appealed from; and it is further,
ORDERED that one bill of costs is awarded to the plaintiff, payable by the defendants Susan Gordon, Pawan Bhatnagar, William M. Schiff, and New York Presbyterian Hospital Columbia University Medical Center.

This medical malpractice action arises from ophthalmological surgery performed on September 5, 2007, on the plaintiff’s decedent by the defendant William M. Schiff, a vitreoretinal surgeon, at the Harkness Eye Institute, which is owned and operated by the defendant New York Presbyterian Hospital Columbia University Medical Center (hereinafter the Hospital). The plaintiff alleges that prior to the surgery, a surgical booker working at the Hospital gave the decedent a history and physical form to provide to his internist, the defendant Lawrence Stam, in order to obtain medical clearance for the surgery. The form, which was partially completed by the surgical booker, indicated that the surgery was going to take place under local anesthesia. Stam wrote on the form that the decedent was a “moderate risk for surgery,” and under the preprinted portion of the form stating, “Patient is in satisfactory condition for local/standby anesthesia,” Stam wrote, “yes.” The plaintiff alleges that the surgery was performed on both eyes under general anesthesia, and that the surgery lasted approximately seven hours. As a result of the surgery having been performed under general anesthesia, the decedent allegedly suffered a major stroke and other injuries.

This action was commenced against, among others, Schiff, the Hospital, the defendant Susan Gordon, a nurse who assisted the attending anesthesiologist, and the defendant Pawan Bhatnagar, a surgeon who assisted Schiff (hereinafter collectively the defendants). The bills of particulars alleged, among other things, that Schiff and the Hospital negligently failed to obtain proper medical clearance for the surgery, used the wrong medical clearance form, and failed to inform Stam that the surgery was going to be performed under general anesthesia.

In February 2012, the plaintiff demanded that the defendants produce the names of all surgical bookers who were working at the Hospital in September 2007. After the defendants failed to respond to the demand, the Supreme Court directed them to comply. In a letter dated August 8, 2012, an attorney from Martin Clearwater & Bell, LLP (hereinafter Martin Clearwater), the law firm representing the defendants, disclosed the names of two surgical bookers and represented that both individuals had left their employment with nonparty 61 Street Service Corp. in May 2008. Thereafter, the plaintiff’s counsel learned that one of those surgical bookers, Marcia Barnaby, was, in fact, working at the Hospital. During a subsequent court conference, the attorney from Martin Clearwater explained that he made “an honest mistake” in his representation of Barnaby’s employment status.

After serving a subpoena on 61 Street Service Corp., the plaintiff’s counsel learned the name of another surgical booker, Anthony Pastor, who was working at the Hospital in September 2007. Based upon, among other things, the defendants’ failure to disclose Pastor’s name, the Supreme Court held a sanctions hearing in June 2013. At the hearing, an attorney from Martin Clearwater claimed that the failure was an “oversight.” However, subsequently, the plaintiff’s counsel learned that the same Martin Clearwater attorney had, in fact, interviewed Pastor in the summer of 2012, and that Pastor told the attorney that his handwriting appeared on the subject history and physical form.

During discovery, the plaintiff had also demanded that the defendants provide the clearance forms used by the Hospital [*924] and Schiff in and around September 2007. The defendants responded that the only clearance form used was the same history and physical form contained in the decedent’s medical record. After motion practice, the Supreme Court issued an order directing the defendants to provide an affidavit to the same effect. Upon the defendants’ failure to comply with that order, on November 26, 2012, the court orally directed that the separate answers of Schiff and the Hospital would be stricken unless Schiff submitted a compliant affidavit within 20 days. The plaintiff served a notice to settle order and a proposed order requiring that Schiff’s affidavit cover the entire time period of 2007. The defendants served a proposed counter-order limiting the time period covered in Schiff’s affidavit to January 1, 2007, through September 5, 2007. In an order dated December 17, 2012, the court directed that the answers of Schiff and the Hospital would be deemed stricken unless within 20 days from November 26, 2012, Schiff produced an affidavit stating as follows: “In the year 2007, all of my patients undergoing eye surgery at [the Hospital] were only given one History and Physical form to be completed before undergoing eye surgery regardless of the type of anesthesia they were receiving, which is the same form that was used for the [decedent’s] eye surgery of September 5, 2007 at [the Hospital].” Nevertheless, a Martin Clearwater attorney served an affidavit from Schiff dated December 13, 2012, that only covered the period from January 1, 2007, through September 5, 2007.

The plaintiff moved pursuant to CPLR 3126 to strike the separate answers of the defendants for failure to comply with court-ordered discovery and pursuant to 22 NYCRR 130-1.1 to impose monetary sanctions upon Martin Clearwater. In an amended order dated April 4, 2014, the Supreme Court found that “the willful and contumacious conduct of defendants can be inferred from defendants’ continuous failure to comply with discovery demands and [court] [o]rders.” The court noted that the defendants repeatedly served affidavits that failed to comply with its directives, and that “the piecemeal manner in which defendants[ ] provided the names of the surgical bookers . . . [was] inexcusable and could only have been designed to conceal evidence and delay these proceedings.” Despite finding that the defendants’ tactics “were meant to delay and complicate these proceedings,” the court granted the plaintiff’s motion only to the extent of imposing a monetary sanction upon the defendants and Martin Clearwater in the sum of $10,000 payable to the plaintiff’s counsel for costs and legal fees in bringing the motion, and a monetary sanction upon Martin Clearwater in the sum of $5,000 payable to the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection.

Thereafter, the plaintiff moved, inter alia, for leave to renew that branch of the prior motion which was pursuant to CPLR 3126 to strike the defendants’ answers, to strike the answer of the defendant Columbia Ophthalmology Consultants (hereinafter COC) for committing a fraud upon the court, and for leave to enter a default judgment against COC. The defendants and COC cross-moved pursuant to 22 NYCRR 130-1.1 to impose costs and sanctions upon the plaintiff’s counsel for engaging in frivolous conduct. In an order dated November 12, 2014, the Supreme Court denied the motion and cross motion.

We agree with the plaintiff that, under the circumstances, the Supreme Court improvidently exercised its discretion by imposing monetary sanctions upon the defendants and Martin Clearwater instead of striking the defendants’ answers.

The Supreme Court properly inferred the willful and contumacious character of the defendants’ conduct from their repeated failures over an extended period of time, without an adequate excuse, to comply with the plaintiff’s discovery demands and the court’s discovery orders (see Lazar, Sanders, Thaler & Assoc., LLP v Lazar, 131 AD3d 1133, 1134, 16 N.Y.S.3d 326; Brandenburg v County of Rockland Sewer Dist. #1, State of N.Y., 127 AD3d 680, 681, 6 N.Y.S.3d 570; Montemurro v Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Ctr., 94 AD3d 1066, 1066, 942 N.Y.S.2d 623) . This conduct included: (1) misrepresenting that the surgical booker Marcia Barnaby was no longer employed by the Hospital; (2) failing to disclose Anthony Pastor as a surgical booker; and (3) failing to timely and fully comply with the court’s order to produce an affidavit from Schiff in the form required by the court. “[P]arties, where necessary, will be held responsible for the failure of their lawyers to meet court-ordered deadlines and provide meaningful responses to discovery demands” (Arpino v F.J.F. & Sons Elec. Co., Inc., 102 AD3d 201, 207-208, 959 N.Y.S.2d 74; see Andrea v Arnone, Hedin, Casker, Kennedy & Drake, Architects & Landscape Architects, P.C. [Habiterra Assoc.], 5 NY3d 514, 521, 840 N.E.2d 565, 806 N.Y.S.2d 453; Kihl v Pfeffer, 94 NY2d 118, 123, 722 N.E.2d 55, 700 N.Y.S.2d 87).

“The nature and degree of the penalty to be imposed pursuant to CPLR 3126 lies within the sound discretion of the Supreme Court” (Lazar, Sanders, Thaler & Assoc., LLP v Lazar, 131 AD3d at 1133; see Wolf v Flowers, 122 AD3d 728, 728, 996 N.Y.S.2d 169; Arpino v F.J.F. & Sons Elec. Co., Inc., 102 AD3d at 209). Even so, the Appellate Division ” is vested with its own discretion and corresponding power to substitute its own discretion for that of the trial court, even in the absence of abuse’” (Arpino v F.J.F. & Sons Elec. Co., Inc., 102 AD3d at 209, quoting Those Certain Underwriters at Lloyds, London v Occidental [*926] Gems, Inc., 11 NY3d 843, 845, 901 N.E.2d 732, 873 N.Y.S.2d 239). In determining the appropriate sanction to impose, we are guided by CPLR 3126, which permits courts to, among other things, “order that the issues to which the information is relevant shall be deemed resolved for purposes of the action in accordance with the claims of the party obtaining the order” (CPLR 3126[1]), issue a preclusion order (see CPLR 3126[2]), or strike a pleading (see CPLR 3126[3]). The striking of a pleading is a drastic remedy that may only be warranted upon a clear showing that the failure to comply with discovery demands or court-ordered discovery was willful and contumacious (see Lazar, Sanders, Thaler & Assoc. Inc. v Lazar, 131 AD3d at 1133; Brandenburg v County v Rockland Sewer Dist. #1, State of N.Y., 127 AD3d at 681; Arpino v F.J.F. & Sons Elec. Co., Inc., 102 AD3d at 210). Although not expressly set forth as a sanction under CPLR 3126, we have held that the imposition of a monetary sanction under CPLR 3126 may be appropriate to compensate counsel or a party for the time expended and costs incurred in connection with an offending party’s failure to fully and timely comply with court-ordered disclosure (see Knoch v City of New York, 109 AD3d 459, 970 N.Y.S.2d 270; Friedman, Harfenist, Langer & Kraut v Rosenthal, 79 AD3d 798, 801, 914 N.Y.S.2d 196; O’Neill v Ho, 28 AD3d 626, 627, 814 N.Y.S.2d 202). Here, contrary to the Supreme Court’s determination, we find that the imposition of monetary sanctions was insufficient to punish the defendants and their counsel for their willful and contumacious conduct in failing to timely and fully respond to discovery demands and court orders. Accordingly, the court should have granted that branch of the plaintiff’s motion which was to strike the defendants’ answers.

In light of our determination, the plaintiff’s appeal from so much of the order dated November 12, 2014, as denied that branch of the plaintiff’s motion which was for leave to renew that branch of the prior motion which was to strike the defendants’ answers has been rendered academic.

In the order dated November 12, 2014, the Supreme Court denied that branch of the plaintiff’s motion which was to strike COC’s answer based upon the allegation that COC and its attorneys Martin Clearwater attempted to commit a fraud upon the court. In April 2009, an attorney from Martin Clearwater contacted the plaintiff’s counsel seeking a voluntary discontinuance of the action against COC. The president of COC, Dr. Stanley Chang, provided the plaintiff’s counsel with an affidavit in which he averred that COC was merely a payroll company that did not have independent insurance coverage, [*927] employees, or shareholders. Relying on that affidavit, the plaintiff entered into a stipulation of discontinuance in which it voluntarily discontinued the action against COC. Through later disclosure, including Dr. Chang’s deposition testimony, the plaintiff learned that COC maintained medical malpractice insurance, provided medical care in the field ophthalmology, had billed Medicare for the costs of the decedent’s surgery, and employed surgical bookers. On June 3, 2014, the court so-ordered a stipulation vacating the stipulation of discontinuance against COC and reinstating the complaint against COC. On July 7, 2014, COC served an answer, which the plaintiff rejected as untimely.

“[I]n order to demonstrate fraud on the court, the nonoffending party must establish by clear and convincing evidence that the offending party has acted knowingly in an attempt to hinder the fact finder’s fair adjudication of the case and his adversary’s [prosecution or] defense of the action” (CDR Créances S.A.S. v Cohen, 23 NY3d 307, 320, 991 N.Y.S.2d 519, 15 N.E.3d 274 [internal quotation marks omitted]). Here, the plaintiff failed to establish, by clear and convincing evidence, that COC or its counsel engaged in conduct that would constitute a fraud on the court.

The Supreme Court providently exercised its discretion in denying that branch of the plaintiff’s motion which was for leave to enter a default judgment against COC. Considering the minimal delay, the absence of prejudice to the plaintiff, and the lack of willfulness on the part of COC, the delay in serving its answer was properly excused (see Darlind Constr., Inc. v Prism Solar Tech., Inc., 109 AD3d 783, 783-784, 971 N.Y.S.2d 119; Jolkovsky v Legeman, 32 AD3d 418, 419, 819 N.Y.S.2d 561; Bunch v Dollar Budget, Inc., 12 AD3d 391, 391, 783 N.Y.S.2d 829).

Contrary to the contentions of the defendants and COC, they failed to establish that the conduct of the plaintiff’s counsel was frivolous. Accordingly, the Supreme Court providently exercised its discretion in denying their cross motion to impose costs and sanctions upon the plaintiff’s counsel pursuant to 22 NYCRR 130-1.1.

HALL, J.P., AUSTIN and BARROS, JJ., concur.

CONCUR BY: ROMAN (In Part)

DISSENT BY: ROMAN (In Part)

ROMAN, J., concurs in part and dissents in part, and votes to affirm the amended order dated April 4, 2014, insofar as appealed and cross-appealed from, and affirm the order dated November 12, 2014, insofar as appealed and cross-appealed from, with the following memorandum:

I find that the drastic sanction of striking the answers of the defendants Susan Gordon, Pawan Bhatnagar, William M. Schiff, and New York Presbyterian Hospital Columbia University Medical Center (hereinafter collectively the defendants) was not warranted under the circumstances of this case. Therefore, I respectfully dissent on this ground.

In the amended order dated April 4, 2014, the Supreme Court found that the defendants had served affidavits from Schiff that did not comply with the court’s directives, and failed to properly provide the names and locations of the surgical bookers employed by the defendants at the time of the decedent’s surgery. However, the court declined to strike the defendants’ answers and, instead, imposed monetary sanctions, noting the public policy favoring resolution of cases on the merits. In the order dated November 12, 2014, the court, inter alia, denied that branch of the plaintiff’s motion which was pursuant to CPLR 2221 for leave to renew that branch of the plaintiff’s prior motion which was to strike the defendants’ answers, and denied the cross motion of the defendants and the defendant Columbia Ophthalmology Consultants pursuant to 22 NYCRR 130-1.1 to impose sanctions upon the plaintiff’s counsel for engaging in frivolous conduct.

“Resolution of discovery disputes and the nature and degree of the penalty to be imposed pursuant to CPLR 3126 are matters within the sound discretion of the motion court” (Isaacs v Isaacs, 71 AD3d 951, 952, 897 N.Y.S.2d 225; see Morales v Zherka, 140 AD3d 836, 35 N.Y.S.3d 121). However, “[t]he striking of a party’s pleading is a drastic remedy only warranted where there has been a clear showing that the failure to comply with discovery demands was willful and contumacious” (Arpino v F.J.F. & Sons Elec. Co., Inc., 102 AD3d 201, 210, 959 N.Y.S.2d 74; see Lomax v Rochdale Vil., Inc., 76 AD3d 999, 999, 907 N.Y.S.2d 690). Furthermore, “[p]ublic policy strongly favors the resolution of actions on the merits whenever possible” (Arpino v F.J.F. & Sons Elec. Co., Inc., 102 AD3d at 210; see Krause v Lobacz, 131 AD3d 1128, 1129, 16 N.Y.S.3d 601; Friedman, Harfenist, Langer & Kraut v Rosenthal, 79 AD3d 798, 800, 914 N.Y.S.2d 196). It is within the discretion of the Supreme Court to impose a monetary sanction pursuant to CPLR 3126 to compensate a party for the time expended and costs incurred in connection with an opposing party’s failure to comply with court-ordered discovery (see Friedman, Harfenist, Langer & Kraut v Rosenthal, 79 AD3d at 801; Messer v Keyspan Energy Delivery, Inc., 56 AD3d 738, 739, 868 N.Y.S.2d 120).

Here, the Supreme Court providently exercised its discretion in granting that branch of the plaintiff’s motion which was to strike the defendants’ answers solely to the extent of imposing monetary sanctions, and properly denied that branch of the plaintiff’s separate motion which was pursuant to CPLR 2221 for leave to renew that application. The record reflects that the defendants substantially, albeit tardily, complied with the court’s directive in providing an affidavit from Schiff (see ACME ANC Corp. v Read, 55 AD3d 854, 855, 866 N.Y.S.2d 359). Additionally, as noted by the court, the plaintiff ultimately ascertained the names and locations of the surgical bookers who were working at the time of the decedent’s surgery, and their depositions have been held. Moreover, certain of the plaintiff’s discovery requests were overbroad (see Scorzari v Pezza, 111 AD3d 916, 916-917, 976 N.Y.S.2d 140), which contributed to the delay in this matter.

Furthermore, there is no indication in the record that the individual physician defendants were involved in any willful misconduct with respect to complying with the discovery demands and court orders (cf. Vieda v Otro Rollo Tropical, Inc., 108 AD3d 695, 696, 968 N.Y.S.2d 897). As the majority points out, where necessary, parties may be held responsible for the failure of their lawyers to provide meaningful responses to discovery demands and court orders (see Andrea v Arnone, Hedin, Casker, Kennedy & Drake, Architects & Landscape Architects, P.C. [Habiterra Assoc.], 5 NY3d 514, 521, 840 N.E.2d 565, 806 N.Y.S.2d 453; Arpino v F.J.F. & Sons Elec. Co., Inc., 102 AD3d at 207-208). However, “dismissal is a harsh penalty imposed on a client for his [or her] lawyer’s failures” (7-3216 Weinstein-Korn-Miller, NY Civ Prac ¶ 3216.23 [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Moran v Rynar, 39 AD2d 718, 719, 332 N.Y.S.2d 138), and in certain cases, it may be appropriate to impose a penalty upon the attorney for his or her conduct while saving the action for the client (see Paoli v Sullcraft Mfg. Co., 104 AD2d 333, 334, 479 N.Y.S.2d 37; Moran v Rynar, 39 AD2d at 719).

The piecemeal disclosure of the surgical bookers by the defendants’ attorneys should not be condoned. Nevertheless, under the circumstances of this case, and considering the strong public policy favoring resolution of cases on the merits, it cannot be said that the Supreme Court improvidently exercised its discretion in declining to strike the defendants’ answers and, instead, imposing monetary sanctions to compensate the plaintiff for the time expended and costs incurred in connection with the conduct of the defendants’ attorneys (see Knoch v City of New York, 109 AD3d 459, 459, 970 N.Y.S.2d 270; Friedman, Harfenist, Langer & Kraut v Rosenthal, 79 AD3d at 801; Makris v Westchester County, 21 AD3d 931, 932, 800 N.Y.S.2d 759; O’Neill v Ho, 28 AD3d 626, 627, 814 N.Y.S.2d 202).
In all other respects, I agree with the majority’s determinations.

Accordingly, I would affirm the amended order dated April 4, 2014, insofar as appealed and cross-appealed from, and affirm the order dated November 12, 2014, insofar as appealed and cross-appealed from.

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Construction worker who fell from ladder was denied judgment in error, lower court reversed.

Saavedra v 89 Park Ave. LLC, 143 A.D.3d 615, 39 N.Y.S.3d 462 [1st Dept. 2016)].

A Construction fell from an A-frame ladder after repeatedly complaining the conditions were unsafe. The defendant tried to blame the construction worker even though he was directed to perform the work in these unsafe conditions. The lower court agreed with the defendants and the Appellate division reversed in favor of the worker.

Order, Supreme Court, New York County (Nancy M. Bannon, J.) entered April 7, 2016, which denied plaintiff’s motion for partial summary judgment on the issue of liability on his Labor Law S 240 (1) claim, unanimously reversed, on the law without costs and the motion granted.

Denial of summary judgment on plaintiff’s claim pursuant to Labor Law S 240 (1) was in error where plaintiff electrician was injured when he fell from an A-frame ladder as he was attempting to descend it. Plaintiff use of a six—foot ladder that required him to stand on the top step did not make him the sole proximate cause of his accident where the eight—foot ladder could not be opened in the space due to the presence of construction debris (see moor v City of New York, 130 ÄD3d 536 [1st Dept 2015] dismissed 27 NY3d 975 [2016]; Keenan v Simon Prop, Group , Inc., 106 AD3d 586 [1st Dept 2013]). Defendants’ reliance on the affidavit of the high—rise superintendent is misplaced. Although the superintendent speculated that there was sufficient space to open an eight-foot ladder, this was inconsistent with his prior deposition testimony and was thus calculated to create a feigned issue of fact (see e.g. Pinto v Selinger ice Cream corp., 47 AD3d 496 [1st Dept 20081).

Nor was plaintiff a recalcitrant worker (see Stolt v General Foods Corp., 81 NY2d 91 g t 920 [1993]). While the site safety manager who worked for a subcontractor of defendants testified that she told plaintiff that he should not work in the room because it was unsafe due to all the debris, she explicitly denied that she directed plaintiff to stop work, explaining that she had no such authority. Moreover, prior communications between plaintiff and the safety manager, as well as the site safety logs and photographs, indicate that the debris was an ongoing safety issue. On more than one occasion prior to the accident date, the site safety manager told plaintiff that she had passed along his complaints about the debris, and was trying to get the area cleaned. There was no reason for plaintiff to believe that, on the day of his accident, the site safety manager was directing him to cease working because of the recurring condition that was well known to both of them in the months prior.

THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER? THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT. ENTERED: OCTOBER 25, 2016

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Construction workers’ multi-million dollar verdict upheld

Janda v. Michael Rienzi Trust, 78 AD3d 899, 912 NYS2d 237 [2d Dept. 2010].

An illegal Polish immigrant was injured while performing construction work on the defendant’s prPises.The defendant argued that he was not entitled to his lost earnings claim because he was illegal and contended that he was not disabled. The jury in a unanimous verdict in Queens County found otherwise and both the lower court and the appellate division upheld the majority of the verdict.


Defendant Old Navy may be responsible for Employee’s Death

Ruiz v. Griffin, 71 AD3d 1112, 898 NYS2d 590 [2d Dept. 2010].

The Appellate Division reveresed the lower court’s decision dismissing the case against Old Navy. A man with a rifle shot and killed an Pployee of Old Navy while being escorted to his car by Old Navy agents. The two agents had no security training and left the plaintiff alone as they approached the car so they could get cigarettes. Old Navy had the plaintiff park in same spot every day to catch the perpetrator which also let the perpetrator know where to find the plaintiff. Whether Old Navy knew or should have known that a third person may cause harm to the plaintiff and failed to take reasonable action, and whether Old Navy increased the risk of injury were issues of facts to be decided by the jury, not the Court.


Village Crossing Guard may be Liable for Car striking a Child

Lopez v. Beltre, 59 A.D.3d 683, 873 N.Y.S.2d 726 [2d Dept. 2009].

The Appellate Divsion reversed the lower court’s decision dismissing the case against the Village holding that it was an issue that required a jury determination.


Defendant Loses Motion to Dismiss Wrongful Death Case

Ruiz v. Griffin, 50 A.D.3d 1005, 856 N.Y.S.2d 641 [2d Dept. 2008]

The Appellate Division affirmed the Lower Court finding that summary judgment was prPature and that the Workers’ Compensation Law did not bar the suit against Old Navy.


Defendant held Responsible for Poorly Maintained Roadway at Railroad Crossing

Reyes v. CSX Transportation, Inc., 19 A.D.3d 193, 796 N.Y.S.2d 606 [1st Dept. 2005].

The Appellate Division reversed, reinstated the plaintiff’s complaint, and granted plaintiff partial summary judgment, holding that N.Y. R.R. Law § 21 imposed a duty of maintenance which required the railroad to maintain grade crossings in a reasonable, safe condition and that such duty was continuous, non-delegable, and not abrogated.


Novice Horseback Rider Did Not Assume Risk of Injury When Trail Guides Left him Alone on Trail

Lipari v. Babylon Riding Center, Inc., 18 A.D.3d 824, 796 N.Y.S.2d 632 [2d Dept. 2005].

The Appellate Division reversed, reinstating the complaint, and held that the plaintiff, a novice horseback rider did not assume the heightened risk created by the alleged negligent conduct of the trail guides in leaving him unattended in the rear of a line of horses.


Plaintiff Quashes Defendant’s Subpoena for a Deposition of a Treating

Physician Tannenbaum v. Tenenbaum, 8 A.D.3d 360, 777 N.Y.S.2d 769 [2d Dept. 2004].

The Appellate Division affirmed the Order of the Lower Court which granted the plaintiff’s motion for a protective order pursuant to CPLR 3103 quashing his subpoena of a nonparty treating physician, with costs against the defendant.


Plaintiff’s Default Judgment Against Defendant Upheld

Rivera v City of New York, 7 A.D.3d 774, 776 N.Y.S.2d 867 [2d Dept. 2004].

After a trial, the Appellate Division upheld the judgment against the defendant, finding no reasonable excuse for the failure to timely vacate the default.


Plumber Who Fell into Excavated Hole that Collapsed is Permitted to Have The Case Heard by a Jury

Fernez v. Kellogg, 2 A.D.3d 397, 767 N.Y.S.2d 864 [2d Dept. 2003].

The Appellate Court reversed, reinstated the complaint, and held that the plaintiff dPonstrated issues of material fact as to Labor Law 200 and 241(6) violations involving an unguarded excavation that collapsed while a plumber was working to fix a leaking pipe.


Jury’s Award against Dentist Who Negligently Fails To Diagnose Periodontal Disease and Treat the Patient is Upheld

Davanzo v. Fisher, D.D.S., 304 A.D.2d 452, 758 N.Y.S.2d 49 [1st Dept. 2003].

Appellate Division upholds jury trial verdict of $271,600 alleging failure to diagnose or treat periodontal disease. The trial court properly dismissed defendant’s defense alleging genetic predisposition as there was no evidence to support the claim. The court’s missing witness charge was proper.


Court Permits Inmate to Recover $100,000 For Assault and Broken Nose

Zucker v. County of Westchester, 271 A.D.2d 604, 706 N.Y.S.2d 154 [2d Dept. 2000].

The Appellate Division upheld the liability verdict against correctional facility for failing to protect inmate from being attacked by other inmates, though finding the damages of $330,000 for a broken nose excessive, reducing the award to $100,000.


Defendants Continuous Treatment Prevents Dismissal Based Upon Statute Of Limitations

Dolfini v. Morilla, 261 A.D.2d 431, 690 N.Y.S.2d 79 [2d Dept. 1999].

Appellate Division reversed and reinstated the complaint, finding there were disputed issues of material fact as to whether the statute of limitations was tolled by defendants’ continuous treatment of a lump later diagnosed as malignant breast cancer.


Defendant Held Responsible for Construction Worker Who Falls Off Ladder

Grayson v. City of New York, 241 A.D.2d 338, 659 N.Y.S.2d 287 [1st Dept. 1997].

Appellate Division unanimously reversed and granted plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment pursuant to Labor Law § 240 (1) after falling off a ladder that did not have proper braces to prevent movPent while using a drill.


Defendant Denied A Second Physical Examination of Plaintiff

Fortuniewicz v. Lawrence Hospital, 229 A.D.2d 514, 644 N.Y.S.2d 1015 [2d Dept.1996].

Appellate Division upholds Lower Court’s denial of a further physical examination of the infant plaintiff as defense counsel failed to dPonstrate unusual or unanticipated circumstances after the filing of the note of issue.


Court’s Failure To Permit Plaintiff an Adjournment of Trial Held Improper

Goichberg v. Sotudeh, 187 A.D.2d 700, 590 N.Y.S.2d 283 [2d Dept. 1992].

Appellate Division reverses and holds trial court abused discretion in not granting an adjournment due to expert’s unavailability.

Select A Practice Area

Construction Accident

$1,700,000

$1.7 million verdict in New York County against the driver of a delivery truck who struck a man as he was crossing the street within the crosswalk in Manhattan.

Motor Vehicle Accident

$3,600,000

$3.6 Million settlement in New York Supreme Court for a Spanish speaking construction worker who fell off a 6 foot ladder and landed onto metal and wooden debris. The worker required lumbar spinal surgery for his injuries and needed surgeries to both knees from the fall. The worker could not return to work and suffered depression from his injuries resulting in a suicide attempt.

Construction Accident

$3,200,000

$3.2 million verdict in Queens Supreme Court for an undocumented Polish speaking construction worker who fell 12 feet during a demolition project. The worker fractured a vertebrae and herniated several discs in his spine requiring surgery. The plaintiff was unable to return back to work due to his injuries.

Motor Vehicle Accident

$1,500,000

$1.5 million verdict in Supreme Court Kings County for a woman struck by a car that jumped the curb and hit the pedestrian while standing on the sidewalk across from Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

Slip And Fall Accident

$1,900,000

$1.9 million verdict in New York Supreme Court for a bank manager who slipped and fell on a wet floor, resulting in spinal injuries. The building owner knew about a recurring leak inside the basement cafeteria but failed to correct the problem.

Construction Accident

$2,000,000

$2 million settlement in Queens Supreme Court for Polish construction worker who fell 2 stories from a bucket. The worker’s supervisor told the construction worker to ride the material bucket down to use the bathroom because it would save time. The worker fractured his pelvis in several places requiring surgery and was unable to return to work.

Medical Malpractice

$4,500,000

Defense counsel offers 11 cents to settle before trial and the jury renders a verdict of $4.5 million dollars for a medical malpractice victim and his wife. The action was commenced in New York Supreme Court for a patient who suffered massive internal bleeding during a lower back surgery when the surgeon negligently cut an artery and failed to promptly treat the condition, causing a loss of oxygen and injury to the brain. The anesthesiologist failed to properly monitor the patient’s vitals during the surgery and alert the surgeon of the drop in blood pressure.

Assault

$1,250,000

$1.25 million settlement in New York Supreme Court against building owner for negligent security that caused two women to be assaulted while leaving work. A masked man entered their elevator from a floor that was supposed to be closed off for construction. The assailant used a metal pipe to attack the two women. The two women split the settlement monies.

Construction Accident

$1,500,000

$1.5 Million settlement in New York Supreme Court for a construction worker who was struck by a piece of concrete that fell on his head and back. Workers above were chipping concrete despite knowing that people were working directly below them. The plaintiff required surgery on his neck but made a good recovery.

Medical Malpractice

$3,900,000

$3.9 million settlement in Supreme Court Kings County for a Brooklyn man who suffered a stroke shortly following an eye surgery. The patient was given medical clearance for local anesthesia but instead was placed under general anesthesia for 7 hours. The patient’s blood pressure was not well controlled resulting in a 30 minute hypertensive emergency near the end of the operation. The patient died after 7 years of living in different nursing homes.

Slip, Trip and Fall, New York

$1,400,000

$1.4 Million settlement for Queens Hispanic woman who slipped and fell on ice walking out the door of her rented basement apartment.

CLIENT REVIEWS

    I did not think myself that we will win this difficult matter and become victorious, especially after being rejected by numerous other attorneys…but your professionalism Brett, dedication and determination, not to mention a huge heart, was how we prevailed

ALEKSANDER J.

    When I brought my situation to a local attorney he directed me to Brett Nomberg, and I’m so glad he did. Someone always was able to give me a status of what was going on. Your team made my wife and I realize we were dealing with a truly professional firm and at the same time, sympathetic to our needs. Great job. Excellent Customer Service.

GREG M.

    I want to thank you for all the help and support that was given to my parents by you and your colleagues. Your firm’s time, effort and dedication, is without question second to none and this led to a successful settlement

PAT R.

    We can’t thank you enough for the wonderful representation you provided and for believing in our case. It was very vindicating to have a judge and jury decide in our favor.

JANE AND TOM D.