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THE COVID STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS TOLL FROM MARCH TO NOVEMBER 2020 DID NOT ONLY APPLY TO ACTIONS WHOSE STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS EXPIRED DURING THAT PERIOD; THEREFORE PLAINTIFF’S ACTION WAS TIMELY (SECOND DEPT). ​

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the COVID toll of the statute of limitations rendered plaintiff’s negligence action timely, noting that the toll did not apply only to statutes of limitations which expired during the toll period:

Pursuant to CPLR 214(5), an action to recover damages for personal injuries is subject to a three-year statute of limitations. In Brash v Richards, this Court held that the executive orders “constitute a toll” of the filing deadlines applicable to litigation in New York courts (Brash v Richards, 195 AD3d 582, 582 … ). … [T]his toll of the statute of limitations did not only apply to statutes of limitations that expired between March 20, 2020, and November 3, 2020 … .

… [D]ue to the tolling provision of the executive orders, the statute of limitations within which the plaintiff was required to commence this action was tolled between March 20, 2020, and November 3, 2020 …  Thus, this action … was commenced against those defendants well within the statute of limitations. Williams v Ideal Food Basket, LLC, 2023 NY Slip Op 04436, Second Dept 8-30-23

Practice Point: The COVID toll of the statute of limitations from March to November 2020 applies to all actions, not only those whose statutes of limitations expired during that period of time.

Similar issue and result in Baker v 40 Wall St. Holdings Corp., 2024 NY Slip Op 0179, Second Dept 4-3-24.

 

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THE PRE-ANSWER MOTION TO DISMISS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CONVERTED TO A SUMMARY JUDGMENT MOTION; THE AFFIDAVITS SUBMITTED BY DEFENDANTS DID NOT WARRANT GRANTING THE MOTION TO DISMISS; THE AFFIFAVITS WERE NOT “DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE” AND DID NOT DEMONSTRATE ANY MATERIAL FACT ALLEGED BY PLAINTIFFS WAS NOT “A FACT AT ALL” (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the defendants’ pre-answer motion to dismiss the complaint, and the motion to treat the dismissal motion as a summary judgment motion should not have been granted. The motion should not have been treated as a summary judgment motion because it was premature. The motion should not have been granted as a dismissal based on documentary evidence because the affidavits submitted by the defendants do not constitute “documentary evidence” within the meaning of the CPLR:

The record demonstrates that the defendants’ pre-answer motion was made less than two months after the action was commenced, and that the plaintiff has had no opportunity to conduct discovery. Further, the defendants seek summary dismissal on the basis of facts asserted in their affidavits about which the plaintiff has no personal knowledge. Under these circumstances, the plaintiff is correct that a summary judgment motion would be premature … . Therefore, the defendants’ motion pursuant to CPLR 3211(a) should not have been converted into a motion for summary judgment … . * * *

“While a court is permitted to consider evidentiary material submitted by a defendant in support of a motion to dismiss pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(7), affidavits submitted by a defendant will almost never warrant dismissal under CPLR 3211 unless they establish conclusively that [the plaintiff] has no cause of action” …  by showing that a material fact as claimed by the plaintiff “is not a fact at all” and that “no significant dispute exists regarding it” … . * * *

The affidavits submitted by the defendants, which merely contained conclusory denials of the facts asserted by the plaintiff in the complaint, as well as bare factual assertions regarding their use and occupancy of the subject premises, did not demonstrate that “a material fact as claimed by the [plaintiff] to be one is not a fact at all” and that “no significant dispute exists regarding it” … . Russo v Crisona, 2023 NY Slip Op 04438, Second Dept 8-30-23

Practice Point: Although a pre-answer motion to dismiss can be converted to a motion for summary judgment, to do so here was premature. Affidavits generally will not be enough to warrant granting a motion to dismiss. Affidavits are not “documentary evidence.”

 

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THE BANK’S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE NOTICE-OF-FORECLOSURE REQUIREMENTS OF RPAPL 1304 CAN BE RAISED AT ANY TIME BEFORE THE JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AND SALE (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court in this foreclosure action, determined the bank’s failure to comply with the notice provisions of RPAPL 1304 can be raised as a defense at any time before the judgment of foreclosure and sale. Here the defense was raised in opposition to the bank’s motion to confirm the referee’s report:

… “[F]ailure to comply with RPAPL 1304 is a defense that may be raised at any time prior to the entry of judgment of foreclosure and sale” … and thus, the defendants properly raised it in opposition to the plaintiff’s motion to confirm the referee’s report and for a judgment of foreclosure and sale.

“Strict compliance with RPAPL 1304 notice to the borrower or borrowers is a condition precedent to the commencement of a foreclosure action” … . RPAPL 1304 requires that the notice be sent by registered or certified mail, and also by first-class mail, to the last known address of the borrower … .

… The affidavit of Brittany Wilson, an officer of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. … , the servicing agent of the plaintiff, was insufficient to establish that the plaintiff complied with RPAPL 1304. While Wilson attested that she was familiar with Wells Fargo’s records and record-keeping practices and that the plaintiff complied with RPAPL 1304 by mailing the required notices, which were attached to her affidavit, she failed to attest that she personally mailed the notices or that she was familiar with the mailing practices and procedures of Wells Fargo. Therefore, the plaintiff “failed to establish proof of standard office practice and procedures designed to ensure that items are properly addressed and mailed” … . U.S. Bank N.A. v Valencia, 2023 NY Slip Op 04426, Second Dept 8-30-23

Practice Point: The bank’s failure to demonstrate compliance with the notice of foreclosure requirements of RPAPL 1304 can be raised at any time before the judgment of foreclosure and sale.

 

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DISMISSAL OF THE HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT CAUSES OF ACTION IN FEDERAL COURT DID NOT COLLATERALLY ESTOP PLAINTIFF’S HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT CAUSE OF ACTION IN STATE COURT PURSUANT TO THE NEW YORK CITY HUMAN RIGHTS LAW (NYCHRL) (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing (modifying) Supreme Court, determined the dismissal of the hostile work environment causes of action by the federal court did not collaterally estop plaintiff’s hostile work environment cause of action in state court pursuant to the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL):

Supreme Court erred in granting dismissal of the cause of action alleging hostile work environment pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(5). The District Court analyzed the hostile work environment claims under the standards set by Title VII and NYSHRL, and determined that those claims were neither “pervasive” nor “extraordinarily severe.” Under NYCHRL, a claimant must only prove that they were “treated less well than other employees” because of their gender … . As the plaintiff’s allegations of sexual harassment and improper touching could constitute “more than petty slights and trivial inconveniences” without rising to the level of being severe and pervasive, Supreme Court should not have granted dismissal of this cause of action pursuant to the doctrine of collateral estoppel … . Domingo v Avis Budget Group, Inc., 2023 NY Slip Op 04463, Second Dept 8-30-23

Practice Point: The New York City Human Rights Law has less stringent standards for a hostile work environment cause of action than those required by the New York State Human Rights Law.

 

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EVEN THOUGH DEFENDANT’S PHYSICAL CONDITION WAS IN CONTROVERSY, DEFENDANT DID NOT WAIVE THE PHYSICIAN-PATIENT PRIVILEGE WITH RESPECT TO THE MEDICAL RECORDS CONCERNING SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASE (SECOND DEPT). ​

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined defendant did not waive the physician-patient privilege and, therefore, plaintiff was not entitled to defendant’s medical records which relate to sexually-transmitted disease:

“A party seeking to inspect a defendant’s medical records must first demonstrate that the defendant’s physical or mental condition is ‘in controversy’ within the meaning of CPLR 3121(a)” … . “Even where this preliminary burden has been satisfied, discovery may still be precluded where the information requested is privileged and thus exempt from disclosure pursuant to CPLR 3101(b)” … . Once the physician-patient privilege is validly asserted, it must be recognized, and the information sought may not be disclosed unless it is demonstrated that the privilege has been waived (see CPLR 3101[b]; * * *

… [I]n order to effect a waiver, a defendant must affirmatively assert the condition ‘either by way of counterclaim or to excuse the conduct complained of by the plaintiff'” … . * * *

The record was insufficient to establish that the defendant voluntarily disclosed any information to the plaintiff or other third parties which would have served as a waiver of privilege … . Hausman v Smith, 2023 NY Slip Op 04457, Second Dept 8-30-23

Practice Point: Even where a party’s physical condition is in controversy, the physician-patient privilege may preclude discovery of medical records concerning a condition which was not affirmatively asserted by that party.

 

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DEFENDANT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PRECLUDED FROM PRESENTING EXPERT EVIDENCE AT TRIAL, PLAINTIFF WAS GIVEN ADEQUATE NOTICE (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined defendant should not have been precluded from presenting expert evidence at trial. The Second Department noted that there is no rigid time requirement for the notice of the intent to present expert testimony and plaintiff was provided with the nature of the expert’s opinion prior to setting the trial date:

“CPLR 3101(d)(1)(i) requires a party, upon request, to identify the expert witnesses the party expects to call at trial” … . However, CPLR 3101(d)(1)(i) “does not require a response at any particular time or mandate that a party be precluded from proffering expert testimony merely because of noncompliance with the statute” … .

Here, the defendant served his expert notice prior to a trial date being set, and thus it was not untimely … . Further, the notice was not deficient. It identified the expert witness, indicated that he was a vocational expert, and included the expert’s qualifications. Although the notice did not include the expert’s opinion and grounds for that opinion, that information was in the draft report that was received by the plaintiff prior to the trial date being set (see CPLR 3101[d]).

The defendant also complied with the requirements set forth in 22 NYCRR 202.16(g) by disclosing his expert witness shortly after the expert had been retained … and serving the expert report more than 60 days before trial (see 22 NYCRR 202.16[g][2]). Giovinazzo-Varela v Varela, 2023 NY Slip Op 04441, Second Dept 8-30-23

Practice Point: There is no strict time-limit for providing notice of the intent to present expert evidence and the nature of that evidence. Here defendant provided plaintiff with timely notice and the expert evidence should not have been precluded.

 

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PLAINTIFF’S MOTION TO REARGUE MERELY REPEATED HER EARLIER ARGUMENTS AND DID NOT DEMONSTRATE THE COURT HAD OVERLOOKED OR MISUNDERSTOOD FACTS OR LAW; THE MOTION SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GRANTED (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the motion to reargue the summary judgment motion in this slip and fall case should not have been granted. Supreme Court had originally granted the city’s motion for summary judgment on the ground it did not have written notice of the dangerous condition. After the motion to reargue was granted, Supreme Court denied the city’s motion. Because the motion to reargue did not present new information and merely repeated the earlier arguments, it should have been denied:

A motion for leave to reargue “shall be based upon matters of fact or law allegedly overlooked or misapprehended by the court in determining the prior motion, but shall not include any matters of fact not offered on the prior motion” (CPLR 2221[d][2]). “Motions for reargument are addressed to the sound discretion of the court which decided the prior motion and may be granted upon a showing that the court overlooked or misapprehended the facts or law or for some other reason mistakenly arrived at its earlier decision” … . However, “[a] motion for leave to reargue is not designed to provide an unsuccessful party with successive opportunities to reargue issues previously decided or to present arguments different from those originally presented” … . * * *

In support of her motion for leave to reargue, the plaintiff merely repeated her earlier arguments and did not demonstrate that the Supreme Court had overlooked or misapprehended any matter of fact or law in rendering the prior determination … . Hallett v City of New York, 2023 NY Slip Op 04367, Second Dept 8-23-23

Practice Point: A motion to reargue must be based on law or facts allegedly overlooked or misunderstood by the court. Here the motion merely repeated earlier arguments and, therefore, the motion should not have been granted.

 

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TO STATE A CAUSE OF ACTION FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT, THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONTRACT WHICH WERE ALLEGEDLY BREACHED MUST BE IDENTIFIED IN THE COMPLAINT; WHERE IT IS CONCEDED THAT A CONTRACT EXISTS, A CAUSE OF ACTION FOR QUASI CONTRACT MUST BE DISMISSED (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the complaint did not adequately allege breach of contract or quasi contract and therefore should have been dismissed:

“[T]o state a cause of action to recover damages for a breach of contract, the plaintiff’s allegations must identify the provisions of the contract that were breached” … . Here, the complaint failed to specify the provision of the parties’ contract that was allegedly breached … .

… Supreme Court should have granted those branches of the defendant’s motion which were pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(7) to dismiss the causes of action alleging quasi contract sounding in restitution and unjust enrichment. The parties do not dispute that a contract … exists … . We Transp., Inc. v Westbury Union Free Sch. Dist., 2023 NY Slip Op 04394, Second Dept 8-23-23

Practice Point: A complaint alleging breach of contract does not state a cause of action if the specific provisions alleged to have been breached are not identified.

Practice Point: Where the existence of a contract is conceded, a cause of action for quasi contract must be dismissed.

 

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A HEARING IS REQUIRED TO DETERMINE WHETHER DEFENDANT WAS PROPERLY SERVED IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION AND WHETHER DEFENDANT SHOULD BE ESTOPPED FROM CONTESTING SERVICE (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, over a concurrence arguing defendant is estopped from contesting service of process, determined a hearing was required to determine whether defendant was properly served in this foreclosure action and whether defendant should be estopped from contesting service:

The defendant’s sworn statements that he had relocated to California and was living there at the time of the purported service, coupled with a copy of the defendant’s executed residential lease agreement for an apartment in Los Angeles, were sufficient to warrant a hearing to determine whether service was properly effectuated … . …

… [T]he plaintiff’s evidence demonstrating that the defendant failed to update his address with the plaintiff or with the United States Postal Service was insufficient to establish, without a hearing, that the defendant should be estopped from contesting service as a matter of law … . The defendant’s statement on a 2015 mortgage assistance application that the subject property was his principal residence also does not establish, as a matter of law, that the defendant is estopped from contesting that the subject property was a valid address for service of process, as the defendant’s representation on the mortgage assistance application was made prior to the date when he claims to have relocated to California, and three years prior to the date of purported service at the subject property … . U.S. Bank N.A. v Henry, 2023 NY Slip Op 04391, Second Dept 8-23-23

Practice Point: A party who takes steps to avoid service of process may be estopped from contesting service. Here a hearing on the issue should have been held.

 

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THE REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW (RPTL), NOT THE CPLR, CONTROLS THE COMMENCEMENT OF A REAL PROPERTY TAX FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the city in this property tax foreclosure proceeding properly followed the procedure for commencing the action prescribed in the Real Property Tax Law (RPTL) (as opposed to the CPLR procedure):

Real Property Tax Law provides that a proceeding for the foreclosure of tax liens in rem shall be commenced in the manner provided in Real Property Tax Law article 11, title 3 (see id. § 1120). Title 3 sets forth specific requirements for public notice by publication and personal notice to owners and other persons with a right, title, or interest in affected properties (see id. §§ 1124, 1125). RPTL 1125(3)(c) provides that the service required by that section “shall be deemed to be equivalent to the service of a notice of petition pursuant to [CPLR 403]” … . Thus, the City was required to comply with the service requirements set forth in the Real Property Tax Law, rather than those set forth in the CPLR … . The City established that it satisfied the notice and service requirements set forth in the Real Property Tax Law and that it is entitled to a default judgment with respect to the parcels of real property identified in the City’s motion (see RPTL 1131, 1136[3]). Matter of Foreclosure of Tax Liens (City of Newburgh), 2023 NY Slip Op 04381, Second Dept 8-23-23

Practice Point: The procedure for commencing a real property tax foreclosure action is prescribed by the Real Property Tax Law (RPTL), not the CPLR.

 

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