Von Ohlen v East Meadow Union Free Sch. Dist., 2014 NY Slip Op 00652 [2nd Dept. 2014]
While the plaintiffs submitted the affidavit and report of their purported expert, there was no showing that the purported expert had any specialized knowledge, experience, training, or education regarding playground equipment so as to qualify him to render an opinion in this area (see Y.H. v Town of Ossining, 99 AD3d 760, 762). Furthermore, the expert's opinions were speculative and conclusory (see Rivas-Chirino v Wildlife Conservation Socy., 64 AD3d 556, 558). Additionally, the plaintiffs' reliance on the handbook of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission was inadequate to raise a triable issue of fact as to the School District's negligence, since the standards promulgated by that agency are not mandatory but, rather, are merely suggested guidelines (see Miller v Kings Park Cent. School Dist., 54 AD3d 314, 315; Soldano v Bayport-Blue Point Union Free School Dist., 29 AD3d 891; Pinzon v City of New York, 197 AD2d 680, 681).
Winzelberg v 1319 50th St. Realty Corp., 2014 NY Slip Op 00656 [2nd Dept. 2014]
The appellants failed to establish a sufficient basis for disqualifying the plaintiff's expert witness. The record demonstrated that the expert was originally and continuously retained on the plaintiff's behalf, such that no confidential relationship existed between the plaintiff's expert and any defendants in this action (see Roundpoint v V.N.A., Inc., 207 AD2d 123; see generally Berkowitz v Berkowitz, 176 AD2d 775; cf. Mancheski v Gabelli Group Capital Partners, Inc., 22 AD3d 532, 534; Matter of Walden Fed. Sav. & Loan Assn. v Village of Walden, 212 AD2d 718, 719). No other basis for finding a conflict of interest was presented. Accordingly, the appellants' motion to disqualify the plaintiff's expert witness was properly denied.
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