APPLICATION FOR LEAVE TO FILE LATE NOTICES OF CLAIM AGAINST THE VILLAGE STEMMING FROM A HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE IN THE WATER SUPPLY PROPERLY GRANTED, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO ADEQUATE EXCUSE FOR THE DELAY, THE VILLAGE HAD TIMELY NOTICE OF THE FACTS UNDERLYING THE CLAIM AND WAS NOT PREJUDICED BY THE DELAY (THIRD DEPT).
The Third Department determined Supreme Court properly granted petitioners’ application to file late notices of claim against the village stemming from a hazardous substance, PFOA, in the municipal water supply. Although petitioners did not have an adequate excuse for the delay, respondents had timely knowledge of the facts underlying the claim and were not prejudiced by the the delay:
… [I]t is evident that respondent was well aware of the PFOA contamination in its municipal water system, the likelihood of increased PFOA levels in the blood of its residents as a result of exposure to PFOA and the potential negative health consequences as a result thereof. On the record before us, therefore, respondent cannot plausibly claim that it had only a “general awareness” of the presence of PFOA in its municipal water system. Accordingly, we conclude that Supreme Court properly found that respondent had actual notice of all the essential facts underlying petitioners’ claims … . …
Further, there has been no demonstration of substantial prejudice to respondent as a result of petitioners’ delay in seeking to file late notices of claim … . Respondent has been aware of the subject PFOA contamination since at least October 2014, it was apprised of the potential negative health risks to its residents from PFOA exposure and, as a result of the blood testing program commenced by DOH, it learned of the elevated levels of PFOA in its residents — despite its efforts to downplay said results. Moreover, respondent alleges that it has located the source of the PFOA contamination and petitioners, as residents of respondent, remain available for any further investigation into whether respondent’s conduct was the proximate cause of their alleged injuries. In turn, other than the passage of time, respondent has offered no particularized evidence in opposition to establish that it suffered substantial prejudice … . Matter of Holbrook v Village of Hoosick Falls, 2019 NY Slip Op 00342, Third Dept 1-17-19
