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Probation Department’s Unauthorized Taking of DNA Evidence Required Suppression/Inevitable Discovery Doctrine Applied to Deny Suppression of Identification Evidence and Defendant’s Statement

The Second Department determined the unauthorized taking of a buccal swap from a probationer for DNA testing required suppression of the DNA evidence.  The fact that the defendant was on probation did not strip the defendant of his Fourth Amendment rights.  However, because another DNA sample had been properly taken from the defendant a few days before, the identification evidence and defendant’s statement should not have been suppressed pursuant to the inevitable discovery doctrine:

The hearing court properly suppressed DNA evidence as tainted since the Nassau County Probation Department (hereinafter the Probation Department) took an unauthorized buccal swab from the defendant, which was a bodily intrusion subject to the constraints of the Fourth Amendment … . * * * The defendant’s status as a probationer did not “justify departures from the customary constitutional standards that apply in other settings” …, where, as here, it is undisputed that the provision of a DNA sample was not a condition of the defendant’s probation under any statutory or judicial authority. Moreover, since the DNA sample taken from the defendant implicated his constitutional rights, we reject the People’s argument that the Probation Department, in taking the unauthorized buccal swab, only committed a statutory violation that did not warrant suppression of evidence … .

The record reveals that an authorized DNA sample was taken from the defendant in connection with another, unrelated charge only days before he was arrested on the charges at issue on this appeal. Since another DNA sample had been taken from the defendant prior to his arrest, the People established a very high degree of probability that the evidence in question would have been obtained independently of the tainted source during the normal course of police investigation … . Accordingly, the hearing court should not have suppressed the identification evidence and the defendant’s statement to the police.  People v Adams, 2014 NY Slip Op 06098, 2nd Dept 9-10-14

 

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Paving Over Walk Where Plaintiff Fell Justified Striking the Answer and Granting Summary Judgment on Liability

The Second Department determined that the defendant’s paving over the walkway where plaintiff fell justified striking the answer and granting the plaintiff summary judgment on liability:

“The nature and the severity of the sanction [for spoliation] depends upon a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the knowledge and intent of the spoliator, the existence of proof of an explanation for the loss of evidence, and the degree of prejudice to the opposing party” … . The determination of spoliation sanctions, whether the spoliation was intentional or negligent, lies within the broad discretion of the court … . “The party requesting sanctions for spoliation has the burden of demonstrating that a litigant intentionally or negligently disposed of critical evidence, and fatally compromised its ability to'” prove its claim or defense … .

Here, the Supreme Court providently exercised its discretion in striking the defendant’s answer and awarding the plaintiff summary judgment on the issue of liability since the defendant paved over the walkway after receiving notice that the plaintiff intended to inspect it and after his own expert was afforded an opportunity to inspect the walkway prior to it being covered in cement … . Lentini v Weschler, 2014 NY Slip Op 06062, 2nd Dept 9-10-14

 

Language of Exclusion from Coverage, Including the Phrase “Arising Out Of” Was Not Ambiguous—Insurer Was Not Obligated to Defend or Indemnify Defendants

The Second Department determined the insurance policy unambiguously excluded coverage for actions stemming from the taking of property (eminent domain) and, therefore, the insurer was not obligated to defend or indemnify the defendants:

The plaintiff is an insurance carrier that insured the Village and its officials for claims arising from public officials’ wrongful acts. However, the relevant insurance policy contained an exclusion for “[a]ny injury or damage arising out of or resulting from a taking that involves or is in any way related to the principles of eminent domain, inverse condemnation . . . or dedication by adverse use or by whatever name used.”  * * *

An insurer’s contractual duty to defend is liberally construed, and is broader than the duty to indemnify … . The duty to defend ” arises whenever the allegations in a complaint state a cause of action that gives rise to the reasonable possibility of recovery under the policy'” … . “The duty to defend is not triggered, however, when the only interpretation of the allegations against the insured is that the factual predicate for the claim falls wholly within a policy exclusion” … .

Policy exclusions “are subject to strict construction and must be read narrowly” …, and any ambiguities in the insurance policy are to be construed against the insurer … . However, unambiguous provisions of insurance contracts will be given their “plain and ordinary” meaning … .

In the context of a policy exclusion, the phrase “arising out of” is unambiguous, and is interpreted broadly to mean “originating from, incident to, or having connection with” … . A “but-for” test applies to determine the applicability of an “arising out of” exclusion … . In other words, if the plaintiff in an underlying action or proceeding alleges the existence of facts clearly falling within such an exclusion, and none of the causes of action that he or she asserts could exist but for the existence of the excluded activity or state of affairs, the insurer is under no obligation to defend the action … .

Here, the plaintiff established its prima facie entitlement to judgment as a matter of law by demonstrating that the remaining claims asserted by the … defendants in the underlying federal and state-court matters all arose out of “a taking that involves or is in any way related to the principles of eminent domain, inverse condemnation . . . or dedication,” a situation that is specifically excluded from coverage by the clear and unambiguous language of the policy … . Scottsdale Indem Co v Beckerman, 2014 NY Slip Op 06071, 2nd Dept 9-10-14

 

Defendants Entitled to Summary Judgment in Slip and Fall Case Under the Storm in Progress Rule

The Second Department determined defendants demonstrated they were entitled to summary judgment in a slip and fall case pursuant to the “storm in progress” rule:

A defendant moving for summary judgment in an action predicated upon the presence of snow or ice has the burden of establishing, prima facie, that it neither created the snow and ice condition that allegedly caused the plaintiff to fall nor had actual or constructive notice of that condition … . “Under the storm in progress’ rule, a property owner will not be held responsible for accidents caused by snow or ice that accumulates on its premises during a storm until an adequate period of time has passed following the cessation of the storm to allow the owner an opportunity to ameliorate the hazards caused by the storm'” … . “However, once a property owner elects to engage in snow removal activities, the owner must act with reasonable care so as to avoid creating a hazardous condition or exacerbating a natural hazard created by the storm” … .

Here, the evidence submitted by the defendants in support of their motion for summary judgment, including certified climatological data and transcripts of the deposition testimony of the parties, demonstrated, prima facie, that a storm was in progress at the time of the accident … . Furthermore, the defendants established, prima facie, that their efforts to remove snow and ice from the platform did not create a hazardous condition or exacerbate the natural hazard created by the storm … . Talamas v Metropolitan Transp Auth, 2014 NY Slip Op 06196, 2nd Dept 9-17-14

 

“Temporary Substitute Vehicle” Not Excluded from Supplemental Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Policy

The Second Department determined that the language of the policy did not exclude the driver (O’Brien) of a “temporary substitute” vehicle from coverage under the supplemental uninsured/underinsured motorist (SUM) policy.  O’Brien, an auto mechanic, was injured when returning a customer’s “loaner” car to the dealer (at the customer’s request). O’Brien was named as an additional driver on the loaner vehicle agreement:

“Generally, it is for the insured to establish coverage and for the insurer to prove that an exclusion in the policy applies to defeat coverage” … . Whether the burden of proof rests on the insured to establish coverage, or on the insurer to establish an exclusion, rests on the language of the policy (see id. ). “Where the provisions of the policy are clear and unambiguous, they must be given their plain and ordinary meaning, and courts should refrain from rewriting the agreement. The policy must, of course, be construed in favor of the insured, and ambiguities, if any, are to be resolved in the insured’s favor and against the insurer” … .

Here, State Farm bears the burden of establishing that O’Brien’s use of a “substitute temporary car” was excluded from SUM benefits. The opening language of the SUM endorsement states: “This endorsement is a part of the policy. Except for the changes it makes, all other provisions of the policy remain the same and apply to this endorsement.” Moreover, the opening language of the policy states: “We define certain words and phrases below for use throughout the policy. Each coverage includes additional definitions only for use with that coverage.” The general definition section includes a definition of “temporary substitute car,” which is to be applied throughout the policy: “Temporary Substitute Car means a car that is in the lawful possession of the person operating it and that: 1. replaces your car for a short time while your car is out of use due to its: a. breakdown; b. servicing; c. repair; d. loss; or e. destruction; and 2. neither you nor the person operating it own or have registered.”

This Court has held that the purpose of a provision relating to a “temporary substitute” vehicle “is to afford continuous coverage to the insured during the period that a vehicle scheduled under the policy is out of commission, and at the same time limit the risk to the insurer to one operating vehicle at a time for a single, fair premium. Coverage for a substitute vehicle ceases when the insured vehicle is repaired and returned to its owner” … . Here, the SUM endorsement fails to articulate any exclusion for a “temporary substitute car.” Matter of State Farm Mut Auto Ins Co v O’Brien, 2014 NY Slip Op 06096, 2nd Dept 9-10-14

 

Emergency Doctrine Explained—Bicyclist Fell In Defendant’s Lane of Traffic–Question of Fact Whether Emergency Doctrine Applied

The Second Department determined there was a question of fact whether the emergency doctrine relieved the defendant driver of liability for striking plaintiff bicyclist.  The bicyclist fell in defendant’s lane of traffic after striking the opening door of a parked vehicle.  The court explained the emergency doctrine as follows:

“The emergency doctrine holds that those faced with a sudden and unexpected circumstance, not of their own making, that leaves them with little or no time for reflection or reasonably causes them to be so disturbed that they are compelled to make a quick decision without weighing alternate courses of conduct, may not be negligent if their actions are reasonable and prudent in the context of the emergency” … . ” This is not to say that an emergency automatically absolves one from liability for his [or her] conduct. The standard then still remains that of a reasonable [person] under the given circumstances, except that the circumstances have changed'” … . “Both the existence of an emergency and the reasonableness of a party’s response thereto will ordinarily present questions of fact” … .  Mohr v Carlson, 2014 NY Slip Op 06067, 2nd Dept 9-10-14

 

Insurer Estopped (pursuant to Insurance Law 3420) from Disclaiming Coverage Re: Previously Incurred Defense Costs in a Personal Injury Action

The Second Department determined Insurance Law 3420(d)(2) applied and the insurer, Rutgers Casualty, was estopped from disclaiming coverage for previously incurred defense costs in connection with an underlying personal injury action:

Pursuant to Insurance Law § 3420(d), an insurance carrier is required to provide its insured and any other claimant with timely notice of its disclaimer or denial of coverage on the basis of a policy exclusion, and will be estopped from disclaiming liability or denying coverage if it fails to do so … . Although Insurance Law § 3420(d)(2) does not apply if the underlying claim does not involve death or bodily injury …, contrary to Rutgers Casualty’s contention, this provision is applicable where, as here, the coverage the defendant seeks to disclaim is for defense costs incurred in connection with an underlying personal injury action. Accordingly, the plaintiffs made a prima facie showing of their entitlement to judgment as a matter of law, inter alia, declaring that Rutgers Casualty was estopped from disclaiming insurance coverage under the Policy by submitting evidence that it failed to provide a timely written notice of this disclaimer to Key Fat, a claimant in this litigation … . In opposition, Rutgers Casualty failed to raise a triable issue of fact.  Key Fat Corp vs Rutgers Cas Ins Co, 2014 NY Slip Op 06060, 2nd Dept 9-10-14

 

Driver of Lead Vehicle Entitled to Summary Judgment in Rear-End Collision Case

The Second Department determined that the defendant driver who was struck from behind was entitled to summary judgment.  The court explained the relevant law, noting that the bare allegation the lead vehicle stopped short is not enough to raise a question of fact about the negligence of the lead driver:

“A driver of a vehicle approaching another vehicle from the rear is required to maintain a reasonably safe distance and rate of speed under the prevailing conditions to avoid colliding with the other vehicle” … . “As a general rule, a rear-end collision establishes a prima facie case of negligence on the part of the operator of the rear vehicle, thereby requiring that operator to rebut the inference of negligence by providing a nonnegligent explanation for the collision'” … . This is true whether the lead vehicle is stopped or stopping … .

Where the movant has established his or her entitlement to judgment as a matter of law, the burden shifts to the opposing party to provide sufficient evidence to raise a triable issue of fact as to the moving party’s comparative fault … . A bare allegation that the lead vehicle stopped short is insufficient to rebut the inference of negligence on the part of the driver of the following vehicle … . Billis v Tunjian, 2014 NY Slip Op 06044, 2nd Dept 9-10-14

 

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County Could Seek Judicial Intervention Re: the Collection of a County Hotel Tax Without Exhausting Administrative Remedies—Constitutional Underpinning of Local Tax Laws Explained

The Second Department, in determining the plaintiff county was not required to exhaust its administrative remedies (and then commence an Article 78 proceeding) in order to seek judicial review of whether the defendant has been paying the correct amount of a county hotel and motel accommodation tax, explained the underpinning of local tax law in New York:

The appellants contend that the branch of their motion which was pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(2) to dismiss the first cause of action seeking enforcement of the Hotel Tax against them for lack of subject matter jurisdiction should have been granted because, inter alia, the Enabling Act required the plaintiff to exhaust certain administrative remedies before judicial intervention could be obtained, and that the plaintiff failed to do so.

In New York, local governments do not have an independent power to tax. The New York Constitution vests the taxing power in the State Legislature and authorizes the Legislature to delegate that power to local governments (see NY Const, art. XVI, § 1…). The New York Constitution places fundamental limitations on such delegations. The Legislature must describe with specificity the taxes authorized by any enabling statute (see NY Const, art XVI, § 1…). In turn, local governments can only levy and collect taxes within the expressed limitations of specific enabling legislation (see NY Const, art IX, § 2[c][8]…).

As a general rule, tax statutes should be strictly construed and limited to their terms, which should not be extended by implication … . Any ambiguity in a tax law should be resolved in favor of the taxpayer and against the taxing authority … .

Applying these principles here, contrary to the appellants’ contention, the plaintiff was not required to exhaust administrative remedies before commencing this action, and judicial review is not limited to a proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 … . County of Nassau v Expedia Inc, 2014 NY Slip Op 06049, 2nd Dept 9-1014

 

Subcontractor Which Supervised Plaintiff’s Work Was An Agent for the General Contractor

The Second Department determined a subcontractor which assumed a supervisory role over plaintiff’s work was liable under Labor Law 240(1) as an agent of the general contractor:

To hold a defendant liable as an agent of the general contractor for violations of Labor Law §§ 240(1) and 241(6), there must be a showing that it had the authority to supervise and control the work … . “The determinative factor is whether the party had the right to exercise control over the work, not whether it actually exercised that right” … . Where the owner or general contractor does in fact delegate the duty to conform to the requirements of the Labor Law to a third-party subcontractor, the subcontractor becomes the statutory agent of the owner or general contractor … . Van Blerkom v America Painting LLC, 2014 NY Slip Op 05858, 2nd Dept 8-20-14

 

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