Evidence

Saccone v Gross, 2011 NY Slip Op 04444 (App. Div., 2nd 2011)

The plaintiffs' contention that the verdict was contrary to the weight of the evidence also is without merit. A jury verdict should not be set aside as contrary to the weight of the evidence unless the jury could not have reached the verdict on any fair interpretation of the evidence (see Mancusi v Setzen, 73 AD3d 992, 993; Nicastro v Park, 113 AD2d 129, 134). " The jury's resolution of conflicting expert testimony is entitled to great weight, as it is the jury that had the opportunity to observe and hear the experts'" (Mancusi v Setzen, 73 AD3d at 993 quoting Speciale v Achari, 29 AD3d 674, 675). " Where, as here, conflicting expert testimony is presented, the jury is entitled to accept one expert's opinion and reject that of another expert'" (Morales v Interfaith Med. Ctr., 71 AD3d 648, 650 quoting Ross v Mandeville, 45 AD3d 755, 757; see Segal v City of New York, 66 AD3d 865, 867). It is within the province of the jury to determine an expert's credibility (see Monroy v Glavas, 57 AD3d 631, 632; Cohen v Kasofsky, 55 AD3d 859, 860). Thus, since the jury was entitled to accept the opinion of the respondents' experts, there is no basis to disturb its determination.  

The plaintiff was properly precluded from offering the Physicians' Desk Reference (hereinafter the PDR) into evidence because the proffered evidence constituted inadmissible hearsay (see Spensieri v Lasky, 94 NY2d 231, 234; Hinlicky v Dreyfuss, 6 NY3d 636; Winant v Carras, 208 AD2d 618, 620).

Azevedo v Platform Taxi Serv., Inc., 2011 NY Slip Op 03985 (App. Div., 2nd 2011)

The defendants failed to meet their prima facie burden of showing that the injured plaintiff did not sustain a serious injury within the meaning of Insurance Law § 5102(d) as a result of the subject accident (see Toure v Avis Rent A Car Sys., 98 NY2d 345; Gaddy v Eyler, 79 NY2d 955, 956-957). In support of their motion, the defendants submitted certain photographs depicting the injured plaintiff's alleged injuries. However, the photographs were not in admissible form (cf. Lewis v General Elec. Co., 145 AD2d 728, 729). Without the photographs, the defendants' other submissions in support of their motion for summary judgment were insufficient to establish, prima facie, the defendants' entitlement to judgment as a matter of law (see Rulison v Zanella, 119 AD2d 957, 957-958; Prieston v Massaro, 107 AD2d 742, 743; Savage v Delacruz, 100 AD2d 707, 707-708; see also Slater v Town of Rochester, 31 AD2d 590; cf. Sidibe v Cordero, 79 AD3d 536, 536; Baker v Thorpe, 43 AD3d 535, 537; Hutchinson v Beth Cab Corp., 207 AD2d 283, 283-284; Edwards v DeHaven, 155 AD2d 757, 758; Koppelmann v Lepler, 135 AD2d 507).

Since the defendants failed to meet their prima facie burden, it is unnecessary to consider whether the plaintiffs' papers in opposition to the defendants' motion were sufficient to raise a triable issue of fact (see Coscia v 938 Trading Corp., 283 AD2d 538).

Guccione v Guccione, 2011 NY Slip Op 03997 (App. Div., 2nd 2011)

Moreover, the nonparty purchaser of the subject property does have an interest in the property as contemplated by RPAPL 1501(4) and, in this regard, is a necessary party to this action, since his or her interest in the property would be affected by any judgment rendered herein (see RPAPL 1511[2]; CPLR 1001[a]; Censi v Cove Landings, Inc., 65 AD3d 1066, 1067-68; Migliore v Manzo, 28 AD3d 620, 621; Weinstein-Korn-Miller, NY Civ Prac ¶ 1001.03 [2d ed]; see also CPLR 1003). This action may be maintained if the purchaser is joined as a party plaintiff, the plaintiff demonstrates that the purchaser assigned his or her cause of action to the plaintiff (see Jean v Joseph, 41 AD3d 657, 658; Cardtronics, LP v St. Nicholas Beverage Discount Ctr., Inc., 8 AD3d 419, 420), or the plaintiff is otherwise authorized to seek cancellation and discharge of the mortgage on the purchaser's behalf pursuant to CPLR 1004 (see Cardo v Board of Mgrs., Jefferson Vil. Condo 3, 67 AD3d 945, 946; Spectra Audio Research, Inc. v Chon, 62 AD3d 561, 564). The plaintiff, however, failed to make such a showing on her motion and, thus, the Supreme Court properly determined that the plaintiff was not entitled at this juncture to summary judgment under RPAPL 1501(4). 

To the extent the plaintiff sought declaratory relief based upon RPAPL 1921, the plaintiff demonstrated that she has an "interest in the mortgage or the debt or obligation secured thereby" such that she may maintain a cause of action (RPAPL 1921[2]). However, the plaintiff failed to establish, prima facie, that the mortgage was satisfied pursuant to RPAPL 1921, since her evidence consisted of statements concerning a transaction or communications with the deceased Mr. Guccione (see CPLR 4519), or was belatedly submitted in her reply brief and not addressed by her adversary (see Batista v Santiago, 25 AD3d 326; Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v Marchione, 69 AD3d 204, 206; Matter of Harleysville Ins. Co. v Rosario, 17 AD3d 677, 678).

To the extent the plaintiff sought declaratory relief based upon RPAPL 1931, the plaintiff demonstrated that she is the mortgagor of the subject property, enabling her to proceed under that section (see RPAPL 1931[1]). However, the plaintiff failed to show that the mortgage was "ancient" (see RPAPL 1931[5]; Matter of Grasso [Trans-American Mgt. Corp.-Ciembroniewicz], 168 AD2d 713; Matter of Schwartz, 21 Misc 2d 845; Matter of Addesso, 69 NYS2d 702). Thus, the Supreme Court properly determined that the plaintiff was not entitled to summary judgment declaring the mortgage invalid and directing its cancellation under RPAPL 1921 or 1931.

Merriman v Intergrated Bldg. Controls, Inc., 2011 NY Slip Op 04013 (App. Div., 2nd 2011)

The Supreme Court, however, should have also denied the plaintiff's motion for summary judgment on the issue of liability on the cause of action alleging a violation of Labor Law § 240(1). In response to the plaintiff's prima facie showing of his entitlement to judgment as a matter of law, the defendants submitted, inter alia, a report prepared by a neurologist who examined the plaintiff approximately six weeks after the accident. In recounting the circumstances of the accident, the report recited that, while descending the ladder on which he had been working, the plaintiff "missed a step." If credited, this statement, which is inconsistent with the account set forth in the plaintiff's affidavit in support of his motion for summary judgment, would support a finding that the plaintiff's alleged negligence was the sole proximate cause of his injuries (see Blake v Neighborhood Hous. Servs. of N.Y. City, 1 NY3d 280).

The statement in the medical report was not germane to the diagnosis or treatment of the plaintiff and, therefore, at trial, it would not be admissible for its truth under the business records exception to the hearsay rule (see CPLR 4518; Williams v Alexander, 309 NY 283). Nonetheless, the requirement that evidentiary proof be submitted in admissible form is " more flexible'" when applied to a party opposing a motion for summary judgment than it is when applied to the moving party (Zuckerman v City of New York, 49 NY2d 557, 562, quoting Friends of Animals v Associated Fur Mfrs., 46 NY2d 1065, 1068). Accordingly, "proof which might be inadmissible at trial may, nevertheless, be considered in opposition to a motion for summary judgment" (Zuilkowski v Sentry Ins., 114 AD2d 453, 454; see Phillips v Joseph Kantor & Co., 31 NY2d 307), particularly when the inadmissible evidence does not provide the sole basis for the denial of summary judgment (see Phillips v Kantor & Co., 31 NY2d at 310, 315). Such proof is permissible as long as the nonmoving party is able to " demonstrate acceptable excuse for his failure to meet the strict requirement of tender in admissible form'" (Zuckerman v City of New York, 49 NY2d at 562, quoting Friends of Animals v Associated Fur Mfrs., 46 NY2d at 1068; see Moffett v Gerardi, 75 AD3d 496, 498).

Here, the defendants demonstrated an acceptable excuse for failing to elicit admissible evidence from the plaintiff's treating neurologist at this stage of the proceedings. Moreover, even without considering the inadmissible evidence in the neurologist's report, the plaintiff's equivocal responses at his deposition regarding the possibility that he "missed a step" while descending the ladder, as well as the defendants' potential ability to present the evidence contained in the medical report in admissible form at trial (see Williams v Alexander, 309 NY at 285 n), establish the arguable existence of a triable issue of fact (see Sillman v Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp., 3 NY2d 395, 404). Accordingly, the defendants' submissions were sufficient to raise a triable issue of fact, requiring the denial of the plaintiff's motion.

Devito v Feliciano, 2011 NY Slip Op 04366 (App. DIv., 1st 2011)

The trial court did not err in excluding certain medical records of plaintiff, as they were not properly certified and never given to defendants for inspection prior to trial (see CPLR 3122-a). Nor did the trial court err in declining to provide a missing witness charge since plaintiff did not satisfy the elements that are a prerequisite for receiving the charge (see Getlin v St. Vincent's Hosp. & Med. Ctr. of N.Y., 117 AD2d 707, 708-709 [1986]; NY PJI 1:75, Comment, Caveat 2).

Jiminian v St. Barnabas Hosp., 2011 NY Slip Op 04371 (App. DIv., 1st 2011)

The motion court correctly determined that following defendants' showing of entitlement to judgment as a matter of law, plaintiff demonstrated the existence of triable issues of fact precluding dismissal of the action as against defendants through plaintiff's own testimony and the report submitted by his expert. Plaintiff's testimony concerning his wife's complaints of dizziness and shortness of breath are res gestae, admissible as simple expressions of suffering by the injured party, who is no longer available by reason of her death, which occurred less than 12 hours following her complaints (see 58 NY Jur 2d, Evidence and Witnesses § 338; Tromblee v North Am. Acc. Ins. Co., 173 App Div 174, 176 [1916], affd 226 NY 615 [1919]). Accordingly, triable issues exist as to whether defendant hospital departed from good and accepted medical practice in failing to properly investigate and address the decedent's complaints.

The report of plaintiff's expert also conflicts with the conclusions of Leong's expert on the issue of whether the decedent was at an increased risk for a pulmonary embolism secondary to deep vein thrombosis, whether Leong failed to properly recognize and treat that risk, and whether said failure was the proximate cause of death (see e.g. Bradley v Soundview Healthcenter, 4 AD3d 194 [2004]).

IRB-Brasil Resseguros S.A. v Portobello Intl. Ltd., 2011 NY Slip Op 04306 (App. DIv., 1st 2011)

IRB met its prima facie burden of establishing entitlement to summary judgment with evidence that defendant Portobello International Limited issued the Global Note, defendant guarantors guaranteed it, IRB purchased it and Portobello defaulted (see IRB-Brazil Resseguros, S.A. v Inepar Investments, S.A., __ AD3d __, 2011 NY Slip Op 03275; IRB-Brasil Resseguros S.A. v Eldorado Trading Corp. Ltd., 68 AD3d 576, 577 [2009]; Eastbank v Phoenix Garden Rest., 216 AD2d 152 [1995], lv denied 86 NY2d 711 [1995]).

In opposition, defendants fail to raise issues of fact regarding the ownership or location of the Global Note. The record shows that defendants accepted the initial loan from IRB, paid interest on the Global Note for a number of years and, at the time of their default, negotiated new terms with IRB, implicitly admitting that IRB was the owner of the note. Moreover, defendants sued IRB — in its capacity as owner of the Global Note — in a separate action. Defendants cannot now be heard to object to the ownership which they embraced when it suited them (see RPI Professional Alternatives, Inc. v Citigroup Global Mkts. Inc., 61 AD3d 618, 619 [2009]).

Equally unavailing are defendants' arguments concerning plaintiff's inability to produce the physical note where, as here, defendants have waived presentment numerous times. These waivers excuse any requirement that the instrument sued upon be presented in connection with subsequent litigation against Portobello as issuers, or against the guarantors (see Banco Nacional de Mexico v Ecoban Fin., 276 AD2d 284 [2000]).

Defendants have failed to show they discharged their debt. Defendants' primary argument is that the JP Morgan document establishes payment. This document, however, which defendants never authenticated through anyone at JP Morgan, and which is offered for the truth of the matter asserted, is impermissible hearsay and does not fall within an exception to the hearsay rule (see e.g. Zuluaga v P.P.C. Constr., LLC, 45 AD3d 479, 480 [2007] [document not "so patently trustworthy as to be self-authenticating"]). Accordingly, it is insufficient to defeat the summary judgment motion (see Rivera v GT Acquisition 1 Corp., 72 AD3d 525, 526 [2010]; Van Dina v City of New York, 292 AD2d 267, 268 [2002]).

Defendants seek to avoid summary judgment by claiming a need for further discovery. Defendants did not demonstrate, however, that there was a likelihood that there is relevant evidence in IRB's exclusive knowledge, that further discovery might reveal the existence of such evidence, or that they made a reasonable attempt, prior to the motion, to pursue other means of discovering the information now claimed to be necessary (see 2386 Creston Ave. Realty, LLC v M-P-M Mgt. Corp., 58 AD3d 158, 162-163 [2008], lv denied 11 NY3d 716 [2009]; Voluto Ventures, LLC v Jenkens & Gilchrist Parker Chapin LLP, 44 AD3d 557 [2007]).

The court properly denied defendants' motion for leave to amend their answers because the proposed counterclaims sounding in fraud plainly lacked merit (see R & R Capital LLC v Merritt, 78 AD3d 533 [2010]).

The court properly applied the statutory interest rate to plaintiff's award of post-judgment interest because, although the terms of the Global Note clearly contemplate payment of interest through satisfaction of the principal, it does not "clearly and unequivocally" specify a post-judgment rate. Accordingly, the motion court correctly "merged" the contract into the judgment and applied the statutory interest rate (Marine Mgt. v Seco Mgt., 176 AD2d 252, 253 [1991], affd 80 NY2d 886 [1992]).