Release Must Be Unambiguous to Allow Dismissal of Complaint

In affirming the denial of the defendant’s motion to dismiss the complaint based upon a release executed by the plaintiff, the Second Dept explained that motion must be denied because the scope the release could not be definitively determined:

“The meaning and scope of a release must be determined within the context of the controversy being settled” …. Where a release contains clear and unambiguous language, the signing of it is “a jural act binding on the parties” … . However, a release may not be read to cover matters which the parties did not intend to cover…. Moreover, while a release may encompass unknown claims, it must be clear that the parties so intended by the use of broad, all-encompassing language…. Where a court cannot definitively determine whether the scope of a release was intended to cover the allegations in a complaint, a motion pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(5) to dismiss the complaint must be denied….  Desiderio v Geico Gen Ins Co, 2013 NY Slip Op 03964, 2nd Dept, 6-5-13

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