IN THIS CHILD VICTIMS ACT PROCEEDING, THE CLAIM SUFFICIENTLY ALLEGED THE TIME WHEN THE ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT TOOK PLACE; LEGAL CRITERIA EXPLAINED (SECOND DEPT).
The Second Department, reversing the Court of Claims, determined the claim sufficiently stated when the alleged sexual assault occurred in this Child Victims Act action:
“Court of Claims Act § 11(b) requires a claim to specify (1) the nature of the claim; (2) the time when it arose; (3) the place where it arose; (4) the items of damage or injuries claimed to have been sustained; and (5) the total sum claimed” … . A failure to comply with the requirements set forth in section 11(b) is a jurisdictional defect that requires dismissal of the claim … . “[A] sufficiently detailed description of the particulars of the claim” is necessary because “[t]he purpose of the section 11(b) pleading requirements is . . . to enable the State to investigate and promptly ascertain the existence and extent of its liability” … . “Because suits against the State are allowed only by the State’s waiver of sovereign immunity and in derogation of the common law, statutory requirements conditioning suit must be strictly construed” … . However, “‘[a]bsolute exactness is not required,'” so long as the particulars of the claim are detailed in a manner sufficient to permit investigation … . * * * The Court of Claims erred in directing dismissal of so much of the claim as relates to the alleged sexual assault perpetrated by Hector. The claimant alleged, inter alia, that she was admitted to RPC in 1969 when she was 10 years old, and that Hector assaulted her in the auditorium in the first year of her admission. Contrary to the State’s argument, the claimant was not required to allege the exact dates on which the sexual abuse occurred …”. Wimbush-Burkett v State of New York, 2023 NY Slip Op 02804, Second Dept 5-24-23
Practice Point: Here in this Child Victims Act action, the claim sufficiently alleged the time of the sexual assault. The criteria for a sufficient claim under Court of Claims Act section 11(b) are laid out.