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THE RES IPSA LOQUITUR DOCTRINE APPLIED TO A PLASTIC CHAIR IN THE RECREATIONAL ROOM OF DEFENDANT CORRECTIONAL FACILITY; THE CHAIR COLLAPSED WHILE CLAIMANT WAS SITTING IN IT; THE ISSUE WAS WHETHER DEFENDANT HAD EXCLUSIVE CONTROL OVER THE CHAIR; COURT OF CLAIMS REVERSED (THIRD DEPT). ​

The Third Department, reversing the Court of Claims, determined the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur applied to a plastic chair in the recreational room of a state correctional facility. Claimant alleged the back legs of the chair broke off at the same time causing him to fall to the concrete floor:

… [T]he evidence of defendant’s exclusive control, under the circumstances of this case, was sufficiently established … . Indeed, “[a]s a species of circumstantial proof, . . . res ipsa [loquitor] does not depend on a showing that the instrumentality causing the harm was within the defendant’s exclusive control; it is enough that the degree of dominion be such that the defendant can be identified with probability as the party responsible for the injury produced” … .

… [D]efendant was “under an affirmative duty to use reasonable care in making sure that the chair it provided was safe for the purpose for which it was to be used. That [claimant] had temporary possession of the chair does not negate the inference that its sudden collapse, under normal usage, was most likely caused by defendant’s negligence” … . Moreover, defendant, who no doubt had sole and exclusive possession of the chair immediately after the accident, failed to offer any evidence to support an inference of any other possible explanation for the accident … . Draper v State of New York, 2021 NY Slip Op 04163, Third Dept 7-1-21

 

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FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE DELEGATED TO FATHER ITS AUTHORITY TO SUPERVISE MOTHER’S PARENTING TIME AND TELEPHONE AND ELECTRONIC CONTACT WITH THE CHILDREN (THIRD DEPT). ​

The Third Department determined Family Court should not have delegated to father its authority to supervise mother’s parenting time and telephone and electronic contact:

Family Court improperly delegated its authority over the mother’s supervised parenting time and telephone and electronic contact with the children to the father. “Unless [parenting time] is inimical to the children’s welfare, the court is required to structure a schedule which results in frequent and regular access by the noncustodial parent. In so doing, the court cannot delegate its authority to determine [parenting time] to either a parent or a child” … . Family Court ordered that the mother’s supervised parenting time “shall be arranged as to time, place, circumstances and supervisor as determined by the [f]ather” and that the mother shall have telephone, Facetime and/or other similar contact with the children “as permitted by the [f]ather.”

Although the father has sole custody of the children and, in such capacity, has discretion in the selection of an appropriate supervisor, Family Court failed to provide parameters with respect to the frequency of the supervised parenting time to which the mother is entitled and … failed to consider the logistical concerns in ensuring that she has frequent and regular access to the children … . Matter of Jessica HH. v Sean HH., 2021 NY Slip Op 04165, Third Dept 7-1-21

 

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DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AN ACTION TO IMPOSE A CONSTRUCTIVE TRUST AND AN ACTION ALLEGING UNJUST ENRICHMENT EXPLAINED (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department explained the differences between an action to impose a constructive trust and an action alleging unjust enrichment, here in the context of a couple’s investment in building a new house and the allegation one party put in 800 hours of unpaid labor which benefitted the other party.  The court held the constructive trust action was properly dismissed, but the unjust enrichment action should not have been dismissed:

Although the equitable claims of constructive trust and unjust enrichment are elementally related and involve overlapping proof, certain essential elements differ. “[A] constructive trust may be imposed when property has been acquired in such circumstances that the holder of the legal title may not in good conscience retain the beneficial interest” … . “The elements of a constructive trust are a confidential relationship, a promise, a transfer in reliance on that promise and unjust enrichment” … .As relevant here, with respect to the promise element, it may be express or implied, as determined by the circumstances … . “Finally, a person . . . is unjustly enriched when retention of the benefit received would be unjust considering the circumstances of the transfer and the relationship of the parties” … .

Importantly, and as relevant here, “the constructive trust doctrine serves as a fraud-rectifying remedy rather than an intent-enforcing one” … . By contrast, an action based on unjust enrichment, which would only result in a money judgment rather than a judicially imposed lien, requires the plaintiff to establish that “(1) the other party was enriched, (2) at [the plaintiff’s] expense, and (3) that it is against equity and good conscience to permit the other party to retain what is sought to be recovered” … . Clark v Locey, 2021 NY Slip Op 04176, Third Dept 7-1-21

 

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ALTHOUGH IT WAS A VERY CLOSE CASE, THE EVIDENCE DID NOT SUPPORT A CHANGE IN CUSTODY SUCH THAT THE COUPLE’S SON, WHO HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM, WOULD RELOCATE WITH FATHER TO MASSACHUSETTS, DESPITE FATHER’S BEING MORE FINANCIALLY SECURE THAN MOTHER; FAMILY COURT DID NOT GIVE PROPER WEIGHT TO THE SON’S WISHES (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing Family Court, determined, in a very close case where both parents love and want the best for their children (who have been diagnosed with autism), father did not demonstrate a sound basis for modifying the custody arrangement to allow relocation with his son to Massachusetts:

… [I]t is clear that the son is very strongly bonded to the mother. Indeed, he has lived with the mother for the last six years since the father moved to Massachusetts, except for short periods of visitation with the father. Moreover, the son has had very little visitation with the father since the 2019 holiday season due largely to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, although the father cites the living conditions at the mother’s home as the motivation for initially seeking custody, we find this questionable given that he testified that the condition of the mother’s home has long been problematic and that, despite this, he relocated to Massachusetts and left both children in her care. Although … issues with the hot water heater were no doubt problematic, that matter was remedied prior to trial. Even more troubling, however, is the father’s strong opposition to the son changing schools because the son has difficulty with change, yet he feels it is in the son’s best interests to relocate him to Massachusetts away from the mother and the life he has established with her. Although relocation would certainly enhance the son’s life, as his living conditions would improve due to the father being more financially secure, this is only one factor in our analysis … . Finally, although not dispositive, given the advanced age of the son [born 2005], as well as testimony regarding how intelligent he is, we find that Family Court did not give proper weight to his wishes … . Matter of Daniel G. v Marie H., 2021 NY Slip Op 04178, Third Dept 7-1-21

 

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IN THIS CHILD-VICTIMS-ACT SEXUAL-ABUSE (NEGLIGENT-SUPERVISION) ACTION AGAINST THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ALBANY, PLAINTIFFS’ DISCOVERY REQUEST FOR THE FILES OF SEVERAL NONPARTY PRIESTS WAS PROPERLY GRANTED ON THE GROUND THE FILES MAY REVEAL A “HABIT” OR “CUSTOM” REGARDING HOW THE DIOCESE HANDLED SUSPECTED CHILD-SEXUAL-ABUSE (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department determined plaintiffs’ discovery request for the files of several nonparty priests in this Child-Victims-Act sexual-abuse (negligent-supervision) action against defendant Catholic Diocese of Albany was properly granted. The discovery was relevant to whether the diocese followed a “habit” or “custom” in dealing with priests suspected of sexually abusing children:

Although the Diocese raises several arguments concerning the appropriateness of habit evidence in this context — namely, that it is prejudicial and that the circumstances surrounding allegations of abuse vary and do not yield habitual responses from the Diocese — these arguments conflate plaintiffs’ requirement on their motion to compel with plaintiffs’ future requirements to introduce the files into evidence. For now, on their motion to compel discovery, plaintiffs are merely required to show that their discovery request is reasonably calculated to yield material and necessary information … . Whether plaintiffs can actually demonstrate “a sufficient number of instances” of the Diocese’s repetitive conduct in order to introduce the subject files into evidence as habit evidence is plaintiffs’ future burden … . Melfe v Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, N.Y., 2021 NY Slip Op 04179, Third Dept 7-1-21

 

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ALTHOUGH DEFENDANTS DID NOT SEE THE PLAINTIFF, THERE IS A QUESTION OF FACT WHETHER A PATIENT-PHYSICIAN RELATIONSHIP WAS CREATED BASED UPON ANOTHER DOCTOR’S ORDER THAT PLAINTIFF BE SEEN BY THOSE DEFENDANTS WITHIN ONE OR TWO DAYS (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the defendants’ motions for summary judgment in this medical malpractice action should not have been granted. One of the issues was whether defendants, who had never seen plaintiff, could be found to have had a patient-physician relationship based upon the failure to schedule an appointment within the time-frame ordered by another doctor:

… [P]laintiff acknowledges that she never received treatment from or spoke with Connolly or Retina Associates. Instead, plaintiff relies on a notation in her medical records from Twin Tiers stating that Rosenberg initially requested that she be evaluated by Retina Associates within one to two days and that a later appointment was scheduled only after Connolly apparently informed Twin Tiers that she “could wait to be seen until next week.” Moreover, after allegedly giving this advice regarding timing, Retina Associates scheduled the appointment beyond that acceptable time frame — for 13 days later. * * *

Viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to plaintiff, a triable factual question exists regarding whether the notation in Twin Tiers’ chart — attributing a comment to Connolly regarding scheduling of treatment — is sufficient to establish an implied physician-patient relationship between plaintiff and Connolly or Retina Associates … . Marshall v Rosenberg, 2021 NY Slip Op 04180, Third Dept 7-1-21

 

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THE FOUR-YEAR PRE-INDICTMENT DELAY IN THIS RAPE CASE DID NOT VIOLATE DEFENDANT’S CONSTITUTIONAL SPEEDY-TRIAL RIGHTS; TWO JUSTICE DISSENT (SECOND DEPT).

The Third Department, over a two-justice dissent, determined the four-year pre-indictment delay in this rape case did not violate defendant’s constitutional speedy trial rights. The dissent disagreed:

… [T]he preindictment delay of four years was lengthy and the reasons for the delay proffered by the People certainly left something to be desired. However, the People’s submissions established that the investigation was ongoing, that they were acting in good faith and that there were valid reasons for portions of the delay. Additionally, the charge of rape in the first degree can only be characterized as serious … . Furthermore, there was no period of pretrial incarceration and there is no indication that the defense was prejudiced by the delay. In fact, defendant became aware of the accusations against him shortly after the offense occurred. In our view, the seriousness of the offense, the fact that defendant was not incarcerated pretrial and the absence of any demonstrated prejudice outweigh the four-year delay and the shortcomings in the People’s reasons therefor … . People v Regan, 2021 NY Slip Op 04161, Second Dept 7-1-21

 

NEW YORK DOES NOT HAVE LONG-ARM JURISDICTION OVER A MICHIGAN MANUFACTURER OF ALLEGEDLY DEFECTIVE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAV’S) PURCHASED BY SUNY STONY BROOK FOR THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES IN MADAGASCAR; TWO-JUSTICE DISSENT (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, over a two-justice dissent, determined New York did not have long-arm jurisdiction of the Michigan manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV”s) purchased by SUNY Stony Brook for use in Madagascar (delivering medical supplies to remote locations). Stony Brook returned the UAV’s as defective but defendant did not replace them or issue a refund:

… [D]efendant did not “purposefully avail[] itself of ‘the privilege of conducting activities within [New York],’ by . . . transacting business in New York,” thus invoking the benefits and protections of New York’s laws … . The various communications between the parties were twofold: first, to discuss the ongoing issues with the UAVs that SUNY Stony Brook purchased and, second, to create a relationship and to submit grants for projects that would take place entirely and solely outside of New York. Regardless of the quantity of defendant’s communications with SUNY Stony Brook, these communications did not result in more sales in New York or seek to advance defendant’s business contacts within New York … . Rather, the business transacted — specifically the sale of the UAVs to SUNY Stony Brook for use in Madagascar — was a one-time occurrence that resulted after the professor commenced employment with SUNY Stony Brook in 2015 and then contacted the CEO … . The visit by the CEO to New York in 2017 was for the purpose of discussing issues regarding the completed purchase of the UAVs, rather than seeking additional business from SUNY Stony Brook or other entities in New York … . The UAVs were shipped to Madagascar and subsequently returned to defendant in Michigan. The grant that SUNY Stony Brook and defendant applied for was not intended to benefit New York, but rather other countries. Given these facts, we find that defendant could not reasonably have expected to defend this action in New York and, thus, Supreme Court properly dismissed the complaint for lack of personal jurisdiction. State of New York v Vayu, Inc., 2021 NY Slip Op 04068, Third Dept 6-24-21

 

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14-YEAR-OLD PLAINTIFF ASSUMED THE RISK OF COLLIDING WITH RETRACTED BLEACHERS DURING A BASKETBALL PRACTICE DRILL IN WHICH BOUNDARY LINES WERE TO BE IGNORED; THE DISSENT DISAGREED (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the defendant school district’s motion for summary judgment in this negligent supervision case should have been granted. The 14-year-old plaintiff was participating in a basketball practice drill in which the boundary lines of the court were to be ignored. When plaintiff attempted to retrieve a ball that went over the boundary line she was pushed into the retracted bleachers. The Third Department held plaintiff assumed the risk of injury during that form of practice:

“The primary assumption of risk doctrine . . . encompasses risks involving less than optimal conditions” … . The opinion of plaintiff’s expert that the drill could have been safer by utilizing the boundary lines of the basketball court and having more space was insufficient to raise an issue of fact given that the failure to do so did not unreasonably increase the inherent risks of the drill or playing basketball … . Plaintiff’s expert likewise failed to cite to any specific industry standard violated by defendants … . Furthermore, there is no indication in the record that the boundary lines of the basketball court acted as, or were intended to be, a safety mechanism to prevent a player’s collision with the bleachers. Because plaintiff did not satisfy her burden, defendants’ motion should have been granted … . Secky v New Paltz Cent. Sch. Dist., 2021 NY Slip Op 04071, Second Dept 6-24-21

 

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PLAINTIFF WAS CONVICTED OF THE MURDER OF HIS FATHER AND THE ATTEMPTED MURDER OF HIS MOTHER; THE FILM ABOUT THE CRIMES DOES NOT VIOLATE PLAINTIFF’S RIGHT TO PRIVACY UNDER CIVIL RIGHTS LAW 50 AND 51 (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing Supreme Court, in a comprehensive decision well-worth reading, determined defendant, the creator of a docudrama about Christopher Porco’s murder and attempted murder convictions, did not violate Porco’s right to privacy under Civil Rights Law sections 50 and 51. The statutes allow the depiction of newsworthy events, but the statutes could be violated by fictional material. The Third Department determined the “dramatized” or “fictional” aspects of the film did not violate the statutes, in part because the audience is notified that the film is “based on a true story” and includes dramatized and fictionalized material:

… [T]he film is a dramatization that at times departed from actual events, including by recreating dialogue and scenes, using techniques such as flashbacks and staged interviews, giving fictional names to some individuals and replacing others altogether with composite characters. The film nevertheless presents a broadly accurate depiction of the crime, the ensuing criminal investigation and the trial that are matters of public interest. More importantly, the film makes no effort to present itself as unalloyed truth or claim that its depiction of plaintiffs was entirely accurate, instead alerting the viewer at the outset that it is only “[b]ased on a true story” and reiterating at the end that it is “a dramatization” in which “some names have been changed, some characters are composites and certain other characters and events have been fictionalized.” In our view, the foregoing satisfied defendant’s initial burden of showing that the film addressed matters of public interest through a blend of fact and fiction that was readily acknowledged, did not mislead viewers into believing that its related depictions of plaintiffs was true and was not, as a result, “so infected with fiction, dramatization or embellishment that it cannot be said to fulfill the purpose of the newsworthiness exception” … . Porco v Lifetime Entertainment Servs., LLC, 2021 NY Slip Op 04072, Third Dept 6-24-21

 

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