IN THIS NO-FAULT INSURANCE CASE, THE INSURER REQUESTED AN EXAMINATION UNDER OATH (EUO) WITHOUT AFFORDING THE MEDICAL PROVIDER SPECIFIC, OBJECTIVE JUSTIFICATION FOR THE REQUEST; SUMMARY JUDGMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO THE INSURER (FIRST DEPT).
The First Department, reversing Supreme Court in this no-fault insurance case, determined the insurer did not provide the medical provider with objective justification for its request for an examination under oath (EUO). Summary judgment should not have been awarded to the insurer:
Although plaintiff timely requested an EUO and subsequently issued a timely denial … , the motion court erred in granting summary judgment. 11 NYCRR 65-3.5 (e) requires an EUO request be based on application of objective standards, and that the insurer must have a specific objective justification. Summary judgment is premature under CPLR 3212 where an insurer fails to provide a medical provider with its objective justification for requesting the EUO … . This Court has explained that the insurer’s reason for the EUO is essential for medical providers to oppose an insurer’s summary judgment motion, and that information is in the exclusive knowledge and control of the insurer … . Country-Wide Ins. Co. v Alicea, 2023 NY Slip Op 01474, First Dept 3-21-23
Practice Point: In a no-fault insurance matter, the insurer’s request for an examination under oath (EUO) must be supported by “specific objective justification.” Here the failure to afford the medical provider objective justification precluded summary judgment in favor of the insurer.
