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DEFENDANTS’ MOTIONS TO AMEND THEIR ANSWERS IN THIS MED MAL CASE TO ALLEGE PLAINTIFF’S CULPABLE CONDUCT AND COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE (RE: HER WEIGHT AND SMOKING) SHOULD HAVE BEEN GRANTED; THE DELAY IN MAKING THE MOTION CAUSED NO PREJUDICE; GOOD CAUSE FOR THE DELAY NEED NOT BE SHOWN; FAILURE TO INCLUDE THE AMENDED PLEADINGS WITH THE MOTION PAPERS AND DEFECTS IN VERIFICATIONS SHOULD HAVE BEEN OVERLOOKED (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department, reversing (modifying) Supreme Court, determined: (1) the defendants in this medical malpractice actions should have been allowed to amend their answers to allege culpable conduct and comparative negligence on the part of plaintiff, citing her weight and smoking habit: (2) the defendants failure to attach the proposed amended pleading to the motion papers was a technical defect which should have been overlooked; (3) the defendants did not need to submit a certificate of merit for the proposed amendments; and (4), the defects in the defendants’ verifications should have been overlooked:

“While [defendants were] or should have been aware of the facts and theories asserted in the amended [answers] long before amendment was actually sought, delay alone is not a sufficient ground for denying leave to amend” … . Under the circumstances in this case, there was no unreasonable delay by defendants in seeking leave to amend, as plaintiff has not filed her note of issue nor has the case has been certified as trial-ready … . Further, because there was no extended delay by defendants in moving to amend, they did not need to proffer a reasonable excuse for the delay … .

… “[O]n a motion for leave to amend, [the movant] need not establish the merit of its proposed new allegations, but simply show that the proffered amendment is not palpably insufficient or clearly devoid of merit”  … Contrary also to plaintiff’s argument, Golson v Addei [216 AD2d 268] does not stand for the proposition that a comparative negligence defense in a medical malpractice case based on a plaintiff’s smoking history is per se meritless … . Johnson v Montefiore Med. Ctr., 2022 NY Slip Op 01418, First Dept 3-8-22

Practice Point: In a med mal case, plaintiff’s weight and smoking habit maybe grounds for affirmative defenses.

Practice Point: There was no need to submit a certificate of merit with the motion to amend the answers.

Practice Point: Where there has been no prejudice to the plaintiff, the unexcused delay in seeking amendment of the answers here was not a sufficient ground for denying the amendment.

Practice Point: Failure to include the proposed amended answers with the motion for leave to amend, and defects in defendants’ verifications, were technical defects which should have been overlooked.

 

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FAMILY COURT DID NOT HAVE JURISDICTION TO MODIFY A SEPARATION AGREEMENT WHICH WAS INCORPORATED BUT NOT MERGED INTO THE JUDGMENT OF DIVORCE; A PLENARY ACTION IS REQUIRED (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department, reversing (modifying) Family Court, determined Family Court did not have jurisdiction to modify the separation agreement by putting a cap on the child-support/spousal-support credit father was entitled to for his payment of the mortgage and apartment expenses:

A stipulation of settlement which is incorporated but not merged into the parties’ judgment of divorce may be reformed only in a plenary action … . Family Court does not have jurisdiction to modify a separation agreement … . Under the terms of the parties’ stipulation of settlement, the father is entitled to pay his $2,100 in monthly child support directly to the mortgagee of the parties’ former marital apartment. However, the Family Court erred in capping the father’s credit against support arrears at $25,200 per year based on this provision. Although Family Court found that there was no similar provision with respect to spousal support, in fact the parties’ stipulation permits the father to also deduct the payment of apartment expenses, including the mortgage, from his spousal support. Accordingly, Family Court improperly amended the stipulation by imposing an annual maximum credit to which the father is entitled based solely on his child support obligation. Matter of Deborah K. v Richard K., 2022 NY Slip Op 01391, First Dept 3-3-22

 

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PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION TO RENEW ON THE GROUND THE DEFENDANTS’ WINNING ARGUMENT WAS RAISED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN REPLY PAPERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN GRANTED (FIRST DEPT). ​

The First Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined plaintiffs’ motion to renew should have been granted. Defendants’ motion to dismiss was improperly granted based upon an argument first raised in reply papers:

The court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss … based on defendants’ argument raised for the first time in their reply to their motion to dismiss, that [the] operating agreement contained a provision wherein plaintiffs purportedly waived any past, present, and future conflicts of interest. Plaintiffs moved for leave to renew and reargue, claiming that the issue of the waiver provision was improperly raised for the first time in reply, and in substance was contradicted by another section of the operating agreement that provides, among other things, that no one other than the members can enforce any provision of the operating agreement against any member.

The motion to renew should have been granted. Plaintiffs’ claim that the waiver issue was improperly raised in defendants’ reply provides a reasonable justification for granting the renewal motion … . Upon renewal, defendants’ motion should be denied with respect to plaintiffs’ breach of fiduciary duty claim … . Dismissal is warranted only where documentary evidence “conclusively establishes a defense to the asserted claims as a matter of law” … . Mehra v Morrison Cohen LLP, 2022 NY Slip Op 01396, First Sept 3-3-22

 

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THE STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT IN THIS LANDLORD-TENANT ACTION WAS NOT INVALIDATED BY A CHANGE IN THE LAW BASED UPON A COURT OF APPEALS DECISION ISSUED A MONTH AFTER THE STIPULATION; A “MISTAKE OF LAW” DOES NOT INVALIDATE A STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department determined that a stipulation of settlement in open court was valid, despite a Court of Appeals decision which ruled the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) cannot be applied retroactively. The retroactive application of the HSTPA (to the stipulation) was deemed a “mistake of law” which is not a ground for invalidating a stipulation:

On … the date of trial, the court facilitated settlement negotiations and the parties placed the material terms of their settlement on the record. “The in-court oral stipulation made here . . . evidences [defendant]’s unconditional agreement, through authorized counsel, to settle” for a sum certain of $7.5 million, provide leases at specific monthly rents for plaintiffs still living in the building, and enter into a confidentiality agreement … . “[W]hen the transcript . . . is read in its entirety, it is clear that what was spread upon the record was an oral stipulation and not simply an agreement to agree” … . “The fact that it is necessary for the parties to exchange general releases and execute a confidentiality agreement does not render the agreement invalid”… , nor does the parties’ representation that they would “execute formal settlement papers” demonstrate that there was no agreement on material terms … . …

We reject defendant’s contention that the decision of the Court of Appeals … , issued one month afterwards, requires that the settlement be vacated. While that decision held that the retroactive application of the [HSTPA] would violate due process …, previous interpretations to the contrary constituted “a mistake as to the law,” which is insufficient grounds for vacating a stipulation … . Nieborak v W54-7 LLC, 2022 NY Slip Op 01397, First Dept 3-3-22

 

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THE CONDITIONAL ORDER OF DISMISSAL DID NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF CPLR 3216 BECAUSE ISSUE WAS NEVER JOINED IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION; THE ACTION SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DISMISSED FOR FAILURE TO PROSECUTE (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the conditional order of dismissal of this foreclosure action did not meet the requirements of CPLR 3216 because issue was never joined. Therefore the action should not have been dismissed:

“‘A court may not dismiss an action based on neglect to prosecute unless the CPLR 3216 statutory preconditions to dismissal are met'” … , including that issue has been joined in the action (see CPLR 3216[b][1] …). Here, the dismissal of the action pursuant to the conditional order of dismissal was improper, since none of the defendants had submitted an answer to the complaint and, thus, issue was never joined … . Central Mtge. Co. v Ango, 2022 NY Slip Op 01286, Second Dept 3-2-22​

 

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REMARKS BY THE JUDGE AND DEFENDANT’S COUNSEL PREJUDICED THE JURY IN THIS MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CASE; ALTHOUGH NOT PRESERVED, THE ISSUE WAS CONSIDERED ON APPEAL IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE; DEFENSE VERDICT SET ASIDE (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing the defendants’ verdict in this medical malpractice action and considering the appeal in the interest of justice, determined the trial judge and a defendant’s attorney made comments which prejudiced the jury:

… [T]he Supreme Court’s repeated prejudicial comments and interjections prejudiced the plaintiff. For example, the court barred the plaintiff’s counsel from referring to the growth at issue on the plaintiff’s left foot as a tumor, ordered that the growth be referred to as a wart, and continued to refer to it as a wart through the trial. Thus, the court, in effect, determined a pivotal issue of fact that was properly for the jury to resolve … . In addition, the court opined multiple times before the jury that there was no proof that the plaintiff was misdiagnosed by the defendants, despite testimony by the plaintiff’s expert to the contrary which had already been elicited. Although the court later directed the jury to disregard its remarks, the instruction was not sufficient to cure the prejudice caused by its improvident comments and interjections … .

The comments of [defendant] Oami’s counsel also prejudiced the plaintiff. Oami’s counsel made multiple improper and inflammatory comments about the relationship between counsel for the plaintiff and the plaintiff’s expert pathologist during the cross examination of that expert and during his summation to the jury on behalf of Oami. Contrary to the Supreme Court’s determination, these remarks were so inflammatory and unduly prejudicial as to have deprived the plaintiff of a fair trial … . Valenti v Gadomski, 2022 NY Slip Op 01342, Second Dept 3-2-22

 

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THERE WAS NO OBJECTIVE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT PLAINTIFF’S ALLEGATION THAT THE CITY BUS STOPPED “VIOLENTLY,” CAUSING HER TO FALL; THE PLAINTIFF’S VERDICT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE AS AGAINST THE WEIGHT OF THE EVICENCE (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the defendant Transit Authority’s motion to set aside the plaintiff’s verdict in this bus-passenger-injury case should have been granted. Plaintiff’s testimony that the bus stopped “violently,” causing her to fall, was not supported by any objective evidence:

… [V]iewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, there was no rational process by which the jury could have found for the plaintiff against the defendants. Although the plaintiff characterized the stop as “violent,” neither her testimony regarding the nature of her fall nor the circumstances surrounding the stop nor any other evidence she presented was sufficient to provide the objective support necessary to demonstrate that the movement of the bus was “unusual and violent” … . Stark v New York City Tr. Auth., 2022 NY Slip Op 01338, Second Dept 3-2-22

 

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THE DEFENDANT OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SURGEON’S MOTION TO SET ASIDE THE PLAINTIFF’S VERDICT IN THIS MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ACTION WAS PROPERLY DENIED; CRITERIA EXPLAINED; PLAINTIFF LOST SIGHT IN HER RIGHT EYE AFTER CATARACT-REMOVAL SURGERY (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department, in a full-fledged opinion by Justice Mendez, determined the defendant’s motion to set aside the plaintiff’s verdict in this medical malpractice action was properly denied. Plaintiff lost sight in her right eye after cataract-removal surgery. The opinion describes the surgeries and the theories presented by the experts in great detail:

In a medical malpractice action, the plaintiff is required to show that the defendant deviated from acceptable medical practice, and that the deviation is the proximate cause of her injuries. A defendant’s negligence is the proximate cause when it is a substantial factor in the events that produced the injury … .. * * *

The jury, which is in the best position to assess the credibility of the witnesses, is entitled to assess his credibility and decide what weight it will give to his testimony … .. Great deference is accorded to the factfinders, who had the opportunity to see and hear the witnesses … . * * *

The documentary evidence and the testimony of all the experts created factual and credibility issues that were properly determined by the jury … . If the resolution of the case turns on the evaluation of conflicting testimony of expert witnesses, the resolution of such a conflict rests with the jury and not the court … . The conclusions reached by the jury should not be overturned as against the weight of the evidence unless “there is simply no valid line of reasoning, and permissible inferences which could possibly lead rational people to the conclusion reached by the jury” … . Rozon v Schottenstein, 2022 NY Slip Op 01278, First Dept 3-1-22

 

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LESSOR OF THE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE REAR-END COLLISION WAS ENTITLED TO SUMMARY JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO THE GRAVES AMENDMENT; SUPREME COURT HAD THE AUTHORITY TO SEARCH THE RECORD AND GRANT SUMMARY JUDGMENT EVEN THOUGH NO MOTION HAD BEEN MADE (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department, reversing (modifying) Supreme Court, determined Bancorp, the lessor of the vehicle leased by Fordham and driven by Fajerman, was entitled to summary judgment in this rear-end collision case pursuant to the Graves Amendment. The First Department noted Supreme Court had the authority to search the record and award summary judgment in the absence of a motion:

Bancorp’s request to search the record and for summary judgment dismissing the complaint against it under the Graves Amendment (49 USC § 30106) should have been granted. “On a motion for summary judgment, the court may search the record and, if warranted, grant summary relief even in the absence of a cross motion” … . “Under the Graves Amendment, the owner of a leased or rented motor vehicle cannot be held vicariously liable ‘for harm to persons or property that results or arises out of the use, operation, or possession of the vehicle during the period of the rental or lease, if — (1) the owner (or an affiliate of the owner) is engaged in the trade or business of renting or leasing motor vehicles; and (2) there is no negligence or criminal wrongdoing on the part of the owner (or an affiliate of the owner)'” … . Here, the commercial lease agreement submitted by Bancorp, as well as the affidavit of Erika Caesar, Chief Diversity Officer of Assistant General Counsel for Bancorp, clearly establish that Bancorp, a commercial lessor of motor vehicles, had leased the vehicle that Fajerman was driving, to defendant Fordham. The commercial lease further establishes that Fordham was responsible for the maintenance and repairs for the vehicle during the period of the lease and during the time in which the accident occurred. Additionally, plaintiff did not allege any mechanical defects in the subject vehicle, and Fajerman also stated in her affidavit that the car did not have any mechanical defects. As such, Bancorp is entitled to judgment as a matter of law under the Graves Amendment … . Kalair v Fajerman, 2022 NY Slip Op 01244, First Dept 2-24-22

 

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THE BREACH OF IMPLIED COVENANT OF GOOD FAITH AND FAIR DEALING CAUSE OF ACTION SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISMISSED AS DUPLICATIVE OF THE BREACH OF CONTRACT CAUSE OF ACTION; THE APPEAL FROM AN ORDER WHICH WAS NOT THE PRODUCT OF A MOTION ON NOTICE MUST BE DISMISSED (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department, in a full-fledged opinion by Justice Higgitt which is too comprehensive and detailed to fairly summarize here. determined: (1) the cause of action for breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing was duplicative of the breach of contract cause of action; and (2) an appeal from a supplemental order which was not the product of a motion on notice must be dismissed:

The implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing “embraces a pledge that neither party shall do anything that will have the effect of destroying or injuring the right of the other party to receive the fruits of the contract” … , and is breached when a party acts in a manner that deprives the other party of the benefits of the contract (id.). Generally, a breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing is a breach of the contract itself … . Therefore, a separate cause of action for breach of the covenant cannot be maintained where, as here, “it is premised on the same conduct that underlies the breach of contract cause of action and is intrinsically tied to the damages allegedly resulting from a breach of the contract” … . Because a breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing is a breach of the contract itself, plaintiffs may press their theory that defendants acted in derogation of the covenant in conjunction with their cause of action for breach of the license agreements … . We note that to the extent defendants were entitled to exercise discretion in the manner in which they performed their obligations … , they were, under the covenant (and, by natural extension, under the license agreement itself) prohibited from acting arbitrarily, irrationally, or in bad faith … . …

Defendants’ appeal from the supplemental order is dismissed because that order was not the product of a motion on notice (see CPLR 2214); rather, the supplemental order was issued in response to an inquiry from counsel seeking clarity regarding the court’s decision and order determining the summary judgment motions (see CPLR 5701[a][2] …). Parlux Fragrances, LLC v S. Carter Enters., LLC, 2022 NY Slip Op 01250, First Dept 2-24-22

 

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