A PERMANENT INJUNCTION IS NOT APPROPRIATE WHERE PLAINTIFFS DO NOT ALLEGE ANY NONECONOMIC DAMAGES (SECOND DEPT).
The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the issuance of a permanent injunction was error because the injury can be adequately compensated by money damages:
“‘A permanent injunction is a drastic remedy which may be granted only where the plaintiff demonstrates that it will suffer irreparable harm absent the injunction'” … To establish prima facie entitlement to a permanent injunction, a plaintiff must demonstrate: (a) that there was a violation of a right presently occurring, or threatened and imminent; (b) that he or she has no adequate remedy at law; (c) that serious and irreparable harm will result absent the injunction; and (d) that the equities are balanced in his or her favor … . Further, irreparable injury, for the purposes of equity, means any injury for which money damages are insufficient … . In contrast, where an injury can be adequately compensated by money damages, injunctive relief is inappropriate … .
Here, the plaintiffs failed to allege any noneconomic damages. Rockefeller v Leon, 2024 NY Slip Op 06370, Second Dept 12-18-24
Practice Point: If plaintiffs do not allege any noneconomic damages, a permanent injunction is not an appropriate remedy.
