PLAINTIFF DEMONSTRATED DUE DILIGENCE IN ATTEMPTING TO SERVE THE DEFENDANT; PLAINTIFF WAS ENTITLED TO A SECOND EXTENSION OF TIME TO SERVE BY ALTERNATIVE MEANS (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined plaintiff had exercised due diligence in attempting to serve defendant and was entitled to a second extension of time to serve the defendant:

Supreme Court improvidently exercised its discretion in denying plaintiff a second extension to serve Dr. Hanandeh under CPLR 306-b, as plaintiff established good cause for the late service by proffering evidence of diligent efforts to serve the doctor … . Plaintiff attempted service at an Ohio address obtained through investigation, which turned out to be the home of Dr. Hanandeh’s parents and brother, and also attempted service at Dr. Hanandeh’s last known New York address as provided by his former employer, defendant New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation … .

In addition, plaintiff established entitlement to an extension of time in the interest of justice because, in addition to showing that she made diligent efforts to obtain jurisdiction, she made a showing that Dr. Hanandeh did not incur any prejudice by the delay, and in fact has known of the suit since before plaintiff requested the second extension … .

Under the circumstances presented, plaintiff is also entitled to effectuate service by alternative means, as she made a showing that service on Dr. Hanandeh was impracticable, and that service by email was reasonably calculated to apprise him of this action (CPLR 308 …). Dixon v New York City Health & Hosps. Corp., 2023 NY Slip Op 06592, Third Dept 12-21-23

Practice Point: Because plaintiff demonstrated due diligence in attempting the serve the defendant and the lack of prejudice to the defendant, plaintiff was entitled to a second extension of time to serve and service by alternative means.