Malone v County of Suffolk

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Malone v County of Suffolk 2012 NY Slip Op 32856(U) November 26, 2012 Sup Ct, Suffolk County Docket Number: 04112/2012 Judge: William B. Rebolini Republished from New York State Unified Court System's E-Courts Service. Search E-Courts (http://www.nycourts.gov/ecourts) for any additional information on this case. This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official publication. [* 1] Sh0l1 FOlll1 Order SUPREME COURT - STATE OF NEW YOR" I.A.S. PART 7 - SUFFOLK COUNTY PRESENT: WIl.L1AIVI B. REBOLINI Justice Mlrand,) M. Malon~ ;md K;:\ltIyn P. Malone, 1ll1~1l11S, by their j~llhcr and natural guardian, .lames P. Malonc, lndc.\ No .. 04112/2012 Attorneys/Parties ISee Rider Annexed] PlaintiJTs, -againstCOUllly of SulTolk, Richard Donner, fOllner Commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department, Haven Drugs, Inc., Vinoda Kudchadkar, as Owner, ChaInnan andlor Chief Executive Oflicer, Stan Xuhul lA, MD, and l'l:rtain doctors who prescribed narcotics to David Laffer, cllnently unknown but identified as John Does 1-5. Abbott Laboraton-:s and John Docs G I0, Illcll111t~lcturersand distributors of prescription narcotiCS, including hydrocodone, and Ralph Taccelta, Motion Sequence No.: 001; MG Motion Date: 5/29/12 Submitted: 8/1/12 Motion Sequence No.: 002; MCi Motion Date: 6/13/12 Submitted: 8/1/12 Motion Sequence No.: OOJ; MD I\'!otion Dale: 7/9112 Submitted: 8/1/12 Defendants. Upon the following papers numbered I to ~I read upon this motion by dckndanl Abbou Laboratories 10 dismiss the complaint against it; application by Sullolk County defendants to dismISS the complall11 against lhem; application by defendant Stall Xuhui Li, MD to dismiss the complainl agmnst hm,: Notice orMation and supporting papers. I - 9; Notice orCross Motion and supponillg papers. 19 - 23; 32 - 35; Answering Affidavits and SUpportlllg papers, 10- 13; 24 - 29; 3() - J<J: ReplYing !\ ITidavits ~llld supporting papers. 1-1- - IS; 30 - 3 J ; .+0 - 41 : il IS [* 2] 'lalclI\(' ,'. COli III" of Sullol!';. el al. lnckx :'\.1.: O~11211U12 ORDERED tllal this 111011011ydcfi:nd:l111 Abhn{{ Labnrall}rJCS (Abh()tt) I(lr alllmkr pursuanl b III ep LR 321 I (a){ 7) dislll issing Illc i.1l11cndcd vL'ri licd wlllplai III 0 r plai IHi n:.:;[VIirallda !VI_!'v[a IUI1L' alld Kail!yn P_ Malonc. inl:lllls. bv t!lcir [:lIl1cr and natural !!uarJian. Lll1leS P. Malonc. is grallli:d: :llld . II is further - Of{ D hR hD tlLlt ll1e sep~lrate nwt i011 h Y de 1i:lld~1 (\lLIl1l Y II r S IIll() 1k :I11...1 !lard 1)111·I11CI·. nls IZiL' 1\1['lller COllll1lissiOlll'l" \11' the Sullol": COUllty Police Lkpanlllcllt, I'm ~111 IlrL!L'I' dlSlliisSlllg tilL' ,IIIIC11lkd veri Ii cd Cu I'llp I~I III :1);~1llst ihem iS gr~llll\:d, lhe ~\CtlU111S sL'vel"l.:d alld sl I~tli (\llllill Lie':lg:1iIlSl i i (Ill' l·elll;\lllill).!, (krClld~II'1lS, :1I1tl the c:lplion IS ;1111Clltkd :lccordlllgly; ~Illd It is furtller ORDERED lilill Ihe scpurale ;';ltilll :\llhlll LI, M J)" mollOll by tlel'cIHLIllI Slan X. Li, M.D .. sued 111111is<lCtiull :IS (Dr. Ll), ror an ordcrdlsllllssillg the ;1ll1cndcd veri lied Ctllllpl~lln! is dl'nied. This aclion h:ls ils gcnesis in particularly tr~lgic amI diswrblllg tjlladrupk murders_ On .lIlIl<: !l). 1011. David I~ln(.'r shot and killed four people while robbing Ihe llaven Drugs pharmacy III Medlord. New York. One of Ihe victims was plaintiffs' decedelll Jamie ·LH:Cel1'1. L:dTer \\'as 'IlTesled. charged :lnd ultilllalely convicled un his plea or guilty 10 robbery <.llllllllllrdl..'r in Ihl..' first degree 1k IS cLilTently serving Cour conseCullve life scnt(,llCCS_ Plalll(lils cornllll.'llccd IhlS achOll lor rccovery ofdamagcs for Ihe alkged Cl)IlSCIOLISpain ,lml suCkring and wrongful dealh oCTaCce1t<'L It IS alleged 111tile verified amcilded complallllthal .. tilL' reason for the lllurders was {hat David LaCkr was <lIlClllpting to slcal thous<'ll\ds of prcscriptioll lIarcotics" becausc he \\',lS a drug abuser "who regularly used prescription lWrCO!ICS, illClut!illg llydrocudullc, In an un<lutlwrl/.cd Il1dl1l1cr" It IS ~ilSl}~ISSlTkd thal Abhollll1,II1Ur,lcturcs pn:Sl"rlptllll1 Il,lt'cuties, illCllldlllg hydrocotlotlC 1I1ldCrihe brlliid name Vicudlll, and It is cl:IIl1'lcd Ih,lt i\bb\llt "hilt! ~IdUly to the gencriil public not lo In;lI1l1l~lctLlI'e, sell, disll'lbule, and ddvLTtlSC iI hl::;llly ,lddiL"livc Ilrescn pliO 1111 ~lrco lie tll,lt h ~IS<Ih Igil pUlClll i<IIIlll"dGpGIll!L;llce." PI:I iIII i 1'1:"11:;(l c Idl111th~lt /\ hl)()j I lu( I : :1dllty to the gctlL'r~iI puhlie to etlsul'c Ih~\l plldrll1<1t.:lcs ,\Ild physit.:i:\I1S 1Vl1LlltlI1l1[pI'cserihc UI"()\iL'i"pn.:scrihe its pl'Odllt.:h tl) dl"ug ~ltldlcts, ;JIld th~lt it ,11k:gedly J~lilcd "to s~1I0gu~ll"d lhe gelllT:d pllhll\.' 1'1'0111 h~lrn1 rill, addlcti ve elkc1s or[its 1 producI.'· the PLllllti iTs also cOlllt.:nd [h,lt Ahhot t is llahle 1(11" lTC<ltIng ~lpu h Iic IlUiS,I11CC man 1I!:lClll ri ng allli market iIlg pn:scri plllll1 nmcul ies dlld iIJ J~1l111 "[0 hy I g prL'vl'lll drug addici dnd crilllillall.affcr ll-Olll re-fll1ing his s1<lsh oCprcscriptillll narcolic;_ On ,l mullon to dismiss Ihe Clllllpl:lllli I()r 1~\Ilure 10 slalL' a GlllSC o["aclllJn. Ihe cour! 11111St d\:tL'rmillL' whdhcr. an.:epting as Irue the l:lCitial ,lvennenls oCIIlL' cnmpluini :lnd granlmg pbintilTs L'\·L·ry !:IH)r~lblc III lerencL' \Vh ic h lllay hI.' drawn ["rom the p1cadi ng, p Ia Inl i Irs CIIl silcceL'd upon <lll~' I'L'<lSOllahk \-iew (lC(he f,lels SI~l1nl (/Jarrll'fl \' A'()f1fl{'J", 22;;; i\D2d 532. (,-+-+ NYS2d 550 (2d ])\.'[11 j \)1)(,1). Inl'ollslliL:ring a C:1SL'in which ihe facls ··clearly dicit a vIsccral reS]1(lllSe, :md .[ (lhL' hUlllan tksirl' thai there should he SOlllC ("c(l)\'cry lor this tragL'dy IS undc-rslandabk' (/;'iSC11lllll )' Sflffc I~r .Vell' fork, 70 NY 2d 175. 1~5. 5! I NE2d 1128,51 S N'I'S2d (,OS [jI)S7U" it 1I;ls heL'n rL'cugni/L'd Ih;lI ellitllinll call1lut gO\LTIl the dClenllin~lliollllrk::;~d liahility(se(' Fox \' Marshall,;';;'; AD3d 131. 135, q2~ NYS2d 3)7 !~d Dc))t 201Ij). [* 3] l.1;\l.!..!!!.!::...~.'.:.. ('011111 \' () r Sunol III(k.\ No.: O..f 11/2U 12 1 Page .3 k, ('I al. To pm\"(: a I'l"ill/o .fll('l[' case 0 r ncgl igcncc. a phl inl i IT m us! demonsl rail' Ihe <.:~LSlelKC (1 r ;1 dUlY. a hreach ol'thai dUly. and that IlK' br('ach ofsueh duty was u proximate GlllSe ofhcr injuries (Fox \' .llllrs!JlIlI. s/lllra ~llgg AD3d 135, clllllg Pulkul' Edelman . ..fO N't;2d 781. 358 NL2d Wj'), _;I)(J NYS2d 393 [It)7()]: Gordon r Muc!Jnick, jgO AD2d 715, 579 NYS2d 7..\-5 []lJ92[l. In l"llllsilkring whether plailllJ ITshave asserted lcgallycoglllr.abk claims :lgalllst AbbOtl. thL' (-OUr! must consider whethl . 'f Abbott owcd a legal duiy 1()plainti CIs and, i r SIJ, whetl1l'f thc factual alkg<'llions in the <lIlH:l1llcdeomplalllt support Ihe eOlltcllt[nll that it \'iolatt:d that duty. "AbsL'llt a dUlY rllilnill!! dllU·tly to thL' in.illt"L·d personlhere call be no llahJlllY III damages, hO\h'vl'T careless the nllldllt"t or ltm.:secable the l1al111"(!';afa l' Bay Ridge _-11/10. }\..fADJd U..f..f. U..f5-13..f(J. 92..f :'JYS2d 535 J 2d Ikpt 2011 [. quoting 5J21\tfadiSOIl Ave. Gourmet Foods l' FillllllH/ia Or" 9() NY2d lSO, 2::-ll).7So NElli IIN7. 727 NYS2l1 -N [200IJ). It has bC~l1s:ml that "[1']l1e threshold question in any tlcgligenc<.: action is: does lIdend:lllt owe;t legally recognized duty orcarc to plallltlfP" (J/all/ilton l' Bereffll U.S,A, Cmp., 96 NY2d 212.232.750 NElli 1055.727 NYS2d 7 [200] D- In the absence or duty, thl'rc is no brL'ach and without <lhreach there- is 110llability (Plllka I' Edelmlln, 40 NY2d nL 782. 35:-: NE2l! jOJlJ_ 3lJ{J NYS2d J'>:1 tI97()j. Citing Kimbar I' I:\'is, I NY2d 399, 4(5). Courts havc rL'cognizcd tllat ~l plall1111Tlllust show that a ddcndant O\wd nOI mcrely a gCllenli tIuty \0 SOt.:IL'ly hut a SPL'CtllCduty l,) the Illj un:tI party. Itlr "wllhout :J duty rUIlll1ng d Ireel Iy to the inj urtOdperson there can be no Il~lhilit y In d~lI11agcs. however can:lcss the cOlltlUGInr rorL~sce,lblc till' harm" (I/amiltoft I' Bereua (i.. 1. \.... Corp .. ,\'IIfJ/'({ 9() NY2d 132. quotlllg Laller I' City (~fNelV York, 1)5 NY2d 95, I()O, 7:13 NElli li:\-L at 711 NYS2d 112 [211110J). 1\ dclciltlanl "gelllT<llly has 11(.) duty 10 conlrollh..: Cllildud nl'tlllrd persons so ~\stll prl'VCll1 lhcl1l Crull1h<lrillillg ulilcrs, evetl where <-IS praClIC,illl1<ltter de1l:lld:lnt C<lllexcrcise such CUllIi'llI" ,I (1II/IIIi/roJl \I Bl'I'e([a L/.,\'..-,L Corp., .I'1I1)1'iI at % NY2d qUOIlllg f)',.-Jlllico I' Christie, 71 NY)d 7(), ~f;, S Nt:-:2d ~'J(), 524 NYS2d I [j()S7j) Under t)rtlill;II'Y ~11'Clll1bl:lllces, lilereforc, ,I p~lny IS .'11 lllltlL'r 110dUly lo ,1I1t[cip,llc ~Illdprevcnt Crilllill<ll CO[ldL1~t y Llllwrs. lhus, III /;l\roth \' ./O!JllSOII & b ./o!J /I SOil, 7()() I· S LI P 1:'i 1. 1(J:; (S D N \' 1()Si:\). \\1 ilere p 1:1\11Ilsucd ll\e I1l,lIlul;lClu n:r 0 rTy kilO 1a ner P ti det'elk.lll W~ISpoislllled by ,I third party's lalllpcring ul' tile drug, it W~IS11..:.'ltl lh<ll the drug 1l1<l1l111:lclllrcr Ill) dUly 10 \11<\]...;e product p<lckaging 1110ret;llllpcr-resisL,IIlI. 1,lkl'W1SC,Ulliris Iwd its h<lve hecn LtIwi IIil1g [0 110ld11 I rearm or allllllun it ion lllalllll;lcturers Iiah Ie Jt)r lhe cUllseq L1CllCCSr gllJI \1 violence. 1~;lCcdwith <lclaim arising oul ol"thc tr;lgic crimill,11 misuse or gUll ~lllllnllllltll))L It \\',IS ilL'lLlth~ll Ihere cxists 110duty upon ;lll1anlll:lctllrcr 01":1110n-dl'I\:<.'tivc pmdllct tn ,1ll1IClp:l1l'\';lrlllLlS possible uniclwfui acls thwugh Ihe Illisuseorlilat itclll (see /HcCarrhy I' Olill Corp . ¢ 1191:3d I-lS 12d ('ir Il)lJ7 I). I\ccordlngly. Ne\v York docs not imposc a duty upon ~lln,lIlLlr<lClllrLT rcrr,llil rrom tile lu lawful distrihutiol111ra non-tIek'cllvc product. nor wdltht: Courts or thIs st;llc huld a 1lI<.1I1U!~lcturl'r Ii<lbk I(l!' thc crimi llal cond lIel 0 I'a IIIird pari y over which il had IlO cOlltrol (see' Fom i )' Fl'J:~Il-'iO/l, 232 ;\ [)ld 17(}, (}-l~ ~:YS2d 7.l I Dcpt 199611. n:;, r ,I :\ public f1lIlS:111ceonsists or cnndllct or omissions \\ hich nlTend. llltL'rrLTc \\ [tll or L':lllSL' c tbmag\" tll the public III ihe \,'xerClSCof nghts common to all in a manner such as [0 orJi:nd pllhltc Illorals. ill!l.'rl\:rc with use by ,hL' public Ilra pubIJc pial'\" or cndangcr or lIl.lUt"L't!lC prOpLTty_h,-'aliil. [* 4] .'!alollt' Y. ('UUllt\" of Sul"fllik. et a!. Inde\: :\tl.: O-l-11111012 sa!(-!y or comf()J"[ or a cOllsiuerabt..: numher or IlI..:rsons (Copan IlItilisfri('s, 11Ic. I' COlIsvliilllfc't! Ftlisoll Co., ...J-l Yld 5(l...J-. N 5(lS. 362 NE2d 1)(lS. Jl)...J- f\lYS~d ](jl) llt>771). Thl,' COLlns oftlus sLat\,' h'I\"1.:tktcnnlllcd thai a puhlJc llUlsance chum call nol procc\'xl ag~linsL t1laI1UI~lCtun.'rsof lawful products. such as handguns. that arc placed ill the strC,lll1 or COlllmerce l'I\\·ll.dly \\'b ¢.. · harm IS T ¢.. c~llIs ¢... by Ih ¢... run 1l1<lacli VItY0 r llltcrv ¢... lI1g thl rd panics (see' People \' Sf/( 1'1/1, R I(g(,1" & Co., Jill) d c I n /\Dld 9 L 7() 1 NYS2d I C)1 [1 ,I Dcpt ~(j03 Whik the circumsLances that g,wc rise to this ,1eliull J). ,lr ¢..terrihly tragic. N..;w York law docs not support a ton auion againsttlle Illal1ul:lcturcr ni- ,I 1<1 ' IV1111 '11ll11l()Il-de18ctIVl' produc! I\.Jr II1Jury causcd by third P:lr!ICS will) crimil1,1Ily 11l1StlS(;ile product. l Then.: IS 110 ,dkg:ltIOI1 in tillS aellnn (hat lkknd:llll Abbott l:liled t() nl<IIHiI:lc!UI-eliS dnlgs III <Il'l'(mbncc with specJlic~ltlons, nOI-IS lilere ,lilY :lll8g,ltion tll,lt /\bhott i:lilctl (0 pnwide llC1.:l'S5;11")-' w<ll"Ilings (0 Vicodlll L1sers. Even if public lluis,ll1cC leiw were stretched ll) cncolllp:1SS the lawful llistribullon of lawful products, the ,1l11cnlicd compl<linl would r:lil because Il docs not allege that dell.:ntIallt Abboll exercised SunlClcnt control ovc:r the suurce of the interf'crl:llCe with the puhlic nght. Furthermore, to the extent that plaimiffs rely Oil tile Grand Jury Report dated April 17, lOll ,IS support lor tlleir claims. illS noted that the Repor( makes no findlllgs wh:l\socver dgamsi Ahho!t or any specific culpable conduc-1. As a mailer of law. Abbott call not he held liable fix Ill ¢... i!lLen'cning criminal acts of Laller. T uming 10 Ihe issue of whether the complalnl scls lorlh a cause of actinn UPOllwhich rdief llIay he granted againsl the Su rlolk County Police Department or against its lormer Cummissioner. Richard Dormer (COUllty defendants), the Court wi II accept the 1~lctsas alkgcd III the cotllpl ¢ ¢im ;1::; true. accord plalntl CIs the benefit o!"ewry pOSSible favorable mference. and determine only whdhl.:r Ille [lctS as alleged lit wilhin any cognizable legal theory {see Rozel/I' Il'lilby, 98 !\D3d %0, ():'il NYS2d 74lld DqH 2012.1, citing Mutter (~l'V{/'IOIl I' Nel!' York Slale Depf, OfCorrccfiollaf Sen.\".. I~ NY:-;d 475,!J21 NL:2d 145,893 NYS2d 45~), T'he li",lllleWork Cor such analysis is set runh ill Valtle~ I' Ci~I"(~lN(,'II' Vork, 18 N\l~ld ()(), ()hO NI~2d ]S(), 9J() NYSld 507 [lOIII). ill wh1l'h llle 1·:llIUII'lk I(lr dlSllllss;li o!'n(;gilgelll'C actiol1s <.Ig'llIlSlll1l1llicip,l1itics is e:-;p1<llllcd COllSllkl·ll1g lil ¢.. ' ,;1:11111 :lsserled on hclwll"ol":1 shont1l1g victim wl1u eon1l'llded that New 1'(')rk Cily W,IS li;lhle It)r 11:1i11g1',11 tll ;IlT ¢.. tile ass:lll :1l11 it er :111ged Iy h,lvi n~;been not i Iicd ()i'11 v kd ,st a c ISt11 ':lt::;.lile ( '0 Un IH lll'(I r ¢.. t11:11"igjllVenllllCn 1~\C " Ii011.Ir d 1scrdlunary, may not b0 a baSIS ft)r 11 IIity. wil iIe IIIiIIisteri:11 dl'\ iUIlS ah Illay be. hut only irlhcy viol,IlC a speCial duty owed lu the plaintifL ap,lrl frum ,my duty 10 Ihe public ill general'" (J '({Itie~l' Ci~ll (~rNeH' Yori., slI!Jm at 18 NYJd 7()-77. quollng McLeall l' Cizr (~lN(,li' fork, 11 NY 3d 1')4.203). Thus. II'plainti fls cannOI demonstrale that dcIl:nd:llllS Ilw ¢.. the requisilo..' 'd special duty of carl', there can he no h:lhJlity on the pari of the ("Olllll)' defcnd:mts. Ii is alkg.:d ill tho..-complaint ill Lmu,lry ~Oll Ille SurJolk COUllty Pollel.' Ikpart1l1l.'o! lIl\ ¢.. ·:-;llgall'd a e01l1pbillt hy Palma Laffl.'r, Da\'id L:ti'[i.:r·s mOlhl'L that Ih ¢.. ·r...:ll~ld bl'l'll Ullallthorl/ed \\itl1drawals Llr l1lonl..·Y li'om her ballk account Wb iIe pollcl.: dCleell yes werl.: at the La l"kr 1}{11l1Ihey ¢.. ·. kartll'd that Da\'id I.aner allegedly had admittcd lo hiS moth.:r to making the llllauthon/cd withdrawals. 11 is alsLl alleged thai during the: course urthe lllvcsligatiolL !)a\'id l.alh:r lold th ¢.. ' pulice thai titer..: were licellso..'d [lre:arms in the homc reglstcr",'d to Lilkr and hiS llloth ¢.. Pbillli Irs T :lIlq;.: thalthe Cnullly deICnd,lllts "hau ~lduty to ]"(.'11I0vehe said \Ve~lp()IlSpl.:mllt(s) and gUllS· It t [* 5] '!alone v, COUlJt\' of Suffolk. Indl'X No,; O~112/2012 I'agl' :; et ;II. is c1ainlL'd Ihal L,lrkr used one oflhose laLL'r. lire,lrms 10 COl1l111lllhemurders appmxim,ILely fi\-e llll)lllhs To eSlahlish Ihal Iherc eXlsled ;l spo..'cial fel,-lIiollship hL'lwo...:en pJallltl1Fi decedent and thL' police sullicicill 10 supply the requisite spt:clal dUlY ofcarc. plainlllTs aro...: rt:l]ulred 10 allege l~lCb sufficient 10 show Ihat ther~ \\-as: (I) an assumplion hy lho..' uulllyddcndanis. C through promises or actions. of all alTinnallVl' dUlY to ael on b~half orlhe plalnti rfs' decedent; (2) knowledge on the IXlrl oflhe CounLy's ag~llts Ihat inacLion could lead 10 harm; (3) som,,; torm of direct contact betweell thL' County's agents ;.ll1dIhe lIljurcd pany; and (4) that party's jusllfiable rclJallcL' on tho...: County's anifmaLivL' undertakmg (see I '(fltle: v Cit)' of New York, S/i/Jr(f al IS NY3d at 80. C111l1g uih' I' Cit)' C ofNeH' York, 69 NYld 255, 260, 505 NE2d 937. 513 NYS2d 372 f I\)S7]). The absence of raclual allegations In the al1lcndcd complaint addressing the foregOing 1:lctors demonstrates that. as ,-llllatlL'r or law. plainliffs can IlOt delllonsirate thai the Coullty dd'l.:ndants owed a spcClal dUlY 10 Ihc plainliffs' decedent. In addi lIon to 11lL'" lon:golllg, the amcnded cOlllp!ai III fai Is to aSSt:rt Sllfficiclll I~lcts 10 support any claim that lhl: County defclldallls violated the plaillli ITs' decedent's CIvil nghts. Thl'-<lllcgalions arc IIlSUnicIt:IH as a mailer ofla\-v to SUPP0rl a claim that the County's alleged fadurL: 10 IIlvcsllgalL' alld relllL)VL'weapons Ii-om l.alTer resulted 11'0111 orticIallllullicipal pnl1cy or custnm (see MOf/cl! \' Dl'l'lIl'IlIIl'lIIlJfSocia/ Sen., ]. City (~rNeJl' VOl'k, 7() i\i)3d 436 US ())R. \)8 Set 20lS, 5%, SQ5 NYSld 5(l LEd2d (1I1 fl(J7SJ; S(,I..'(liso L,:/il'l/tll/1 SS ll" Dept ::WIOJ). PlaintllTs seck I"l:cuvery ol"dalll<lgcs Ii."lr alll and surl0J"lng or do...:cl:\knt:\Ild wnlllg I'llI dC~\lll p ,lgdlllSl Dr. I.i upon ~i1kg;ltions thill lw "prescribed apprO:\II1I~\\ely 2.5()(J 11:\reotl(S pills 10 D.l\'HI I"lireI' hetween 2()()Q ,\nd 2010"' and that Dr Ll "knc,w or should 11,-1\'C knOWI] lhat pl'eseT\blng 11;\rCO(I(5 :.1 to drug addict \vGulli Illcrease David LalTer's dcp~ndcl1cy on s,IId narco( ies ~\lld lilercJ"on.: I'L'sult III dr;l:-:tic iltlcl11pts to procurc s;lId IWI"CotICSby [)uvld L:IITcr, Including ['ohhcry 01' pl\~\I"1'll.ICiL:s!dl·lIg SlnrL'S ,\Ild tile I1lLlt·deruJ"lllUSCInsldc" mId that Dr. I,i "rccklessly dlsl'L:garded hiS (lhlig,lllUIl dilL!duty 110tlo ovcr-prcsCl"lbc narcotics 10 a IWrC~)tlcsahuscr ... " It IS <llso ~i1kgctl\h:ll 1)1'.Li "cro...:dtL'd;l uhlic I\UISal1Co...:allowing drug ~lddlc\ alld el"ll11illall.;lIler tu h:lvc aeel.'ss \n tilL' p 111 prl.'scriplioll Il:lI"COlics<ll1llln 1~\l1loprevent drug ,lddiet ,Ind crimlll:.!1 L:ilTer ii-Ullln:-Illlln~ his Sl<lsh uCpn:scnpllOl1ll,lrcntlcs .. 1\appears that phlintitTs make 110cl;lil1ltha\ Dr 1,1IS klhlc 1Ili'lledlcil lllalpracllco...:; 10 the extent Ihat such a eh1lm IS :J.sserlcd. however, the ahsl'llce ()r a ducl11r/p;nicI11 rci:llluI1S!Jip IlclwCL>l1pl,lintllTs and dcl(-lld,ll1t prcclutiL's :1 cause or ,\Clln]] h;lscd on Illcdlc;l1 111;llpr;lcl1ce(.\'l'(· Fox I' iHarslHlII, 88 f\D3d I:ll. 135. NYS2d 317 Ill! l)cpl 2() III). n~ t\ duty nfrL',IS(lll,-lhle carc o\\'cd by a tori feasor 10 a pl,lintirf IS cIL'111enl,llln any rCL'llhTY III I1c~li~I,.'J1ce (Fox I' Marshall, SI/PI"II al S8 AD:ld 1-'5, ciling J>lIltw 1'l;"ddlJllll1, --1-0 Y~d 7S I. -')~ N "'l:~d II) II).. NO Nl·S2d 3')3 [11J7()J). The qucsllon 01',\ hether a deli..'lld:lIll 0\\ L'Sa dUlY OrClrL· III ,1I10111LT pL'rSOlJIS a ljUCSlllll1orbw ror Ihe court (eiteJ'll I' COIIII~rofSuj1"o/k, 9:' !\D3d t ~55. 125X. 1)..j.5 r--;YS2d 375l1d lkpt ~OI2]). While generally there IS no dUlY 10 cOl1lrol IhL·cOllduC! orlhird pLT:>ons10 pro...:vL'llt them frolll callsl ng inj ury to others. [ho...: Court L) f;\ ppc'-Ils h:l$ rCCllgni;:cd thai Ilh.TL' ISa dUlY to cOlilrol the conduct ofolhcrs where Iher~ is a .spccial relationship. such '-IS<lrdaliolls!lIP [* 6] ~Jalolll' Y. County of Sullolk. ct ;II. Index :\0.: 0-411212012 Page (, betwel:.'l1dclendant and a third person whose actiolls expose pbimirfw harm such as \\'ould n.:qlllre th..: dcli.:ndallt to attL'l1\pt to control the thml pcrson's condue\. ur a n.:btiollslJip llL'{\n;ell the lk ("(:Illlaniand plai 11 ff n:qui ri Ilg de ICIlllalll to protet.:t till.,'p lai!Hi fr from tile-t.:Olll1LlI:t f others ( (ire/"a ti 0 I' Coullfy oISuifoll.:, XIIIWI!at 1.)5!\D3d 1259. ci!ing PUJ'((1'\' Public .·It/millisrraw/" OfColllI~r oI Wnrc!Jcsrer, T1 NY.:!d L 526 NE2d 4. 5]0 NYS2d 5lJ). ApplYlllg tliesl..' principks. the !\ppell,llc j') Ivi sion Second Dep'lI·t nh':lli. has ru Lindt hat all OUtpatIent psyc h wtn c t rcatl1ll..'lll 1:lC-i lIty d id Ilot ha Vl' lill' ,ILtlilonty or abl1lty 10 c:\cn:lse control ov(:r d palll..'IlI·S conduct so ~\s t() give risc tn a dULYIn prukcl the decedi..'llt (s('e Cirew I' COll1/~V (~lSutlolk . ¢ SII/)I"1I,05 ADJd 1255). but:1 rcsllkllll~lI suhSI,lllCC abus(' and l'l1i..'lllal ei.dth I'acdity wl1lch guve <Ipatien( a pass to 1i..'~lvC' 1:leilllY llWYOWL' h the :1dLtty III negligence In protectlhe publlc where illwd knowledge (h:lllilc j),ltlcnt could be ,I d:tT1gn tn hlll1sclCand others (set' Fox Villars/wil, 88 AD:ld 131.028 NYSld 3171·2d Depl 2011]1. The Courts l)f this stale have lx'cn wary or c:\pandlllg the obl1g,llioll or dlllY hul il;I\·l' th:tcnnincd that the issue lllUSI be resolved 011i.l cast.:-hy-case basis. "llJudieial resistance 10 the expansion of dUlY grows out of practical concerns both about potenlially limitless li'lbility ,llld aboul the unl'tnmcss or imposing hability for the acts of another. A dUly may arise. howcver, where there ISa relatIOnship eith~r betwcen defendant and a third-persall tort feasor that cncompasses defendant's actual control oflhe third pcrsoll's actions or betwcen defendant and plulllti ffthal requires delcndant to protect plaintiff from the conduct of others" (Zalte \I Corbeu, 82 AD3d 1603, 1611.919 NYS2d 625141h Dept 2011]. quoting HamilTOIl \'/Jerelf(l U,S.A. Corp., 96 NY2d at 233. 750 NE2d 1055. 727 NYS2d 7 [2tltlIJi. Applying the lorl'going prtlK1PJcS, the courts have held in numcrous casc:s that a llH:dlcal pnwilh:r did not have a duty to the general public to control the conduct of a Pt\ti('llt tlnd \Vere 11L1l liable Ii.)f l'tulure to intcrVl..'IlG10 protect olhers (sec, e.g .. Purdy J! Public /Jt/llli/lisrraror oj" ,iiI' COllJl~F of JVes(Cliesler, 72 NY!, 52() N~2d 4. 530 NYS2d 513 [.1 ()S8]). The :dlcguliolls in llllS dctioll ~lgtllnSl Dr. LI, however. ~lrcth,ll he I'ecklessly and ~l!Til'lmllively cOtltrihLllcd (u the ;)(kltctioll ur l);]vid LliTer \\II11 allegcdly l1101i a(et! Ld ITer's murderous spree. PUI ~1l101her ay. <llltivlcwillg ch v w the :lilcgallons or the ([ll1ended compL.1I1l1 III ;1 light 1110st J'tlvorable to plain!lfTs, il dppcars tll:ll pl,lllllilTs CI:11111 that Dr, 1.1created a risk: or helrln to the general publiC by pnlViding tl1<.'111e;IIlS lhrllu:;,h wl1H.:hI.afrer hec;1I1ll' :lddickd :Il1J dcpcndenl upon hyJrocodolle. ,11ll1 that Dr. 1.1knew ur sh\)\I1d have knowl1 th,ll Ihere was <lrisk that Lafrer \Vould engage in criminal C\lIlJucl III a dcspertll,,: l1l:cd to ll:cd hiS addiction. The ,11kgations arc tl1:11 Dr. Li engagt:d in ellllduclll1al reckkssly causcd a substantial risk ofhantl llllt only to Laller hUI also to Ihe puhlic wdr'tlrc. Thus. Illihis case. the dUlY to the cmnmunity al large does nol arise Ihrough an obligation to COlllrollhe acllons nf Ltlllt:r. RathcL the dLlty Illay arisL' through an obligation 10 refrain from over-prescribing addlCHVl' drugs III all IlTl:sponsibk and potelltially criminalmanllcL It may be found that Dr. Li breached his duty In tilL' gClll'ra! puhli( tllld, more particularly. to !he plaintins' dc(cdelli. thn)ugl1 thl..' irrespnnsihk dispellsing orJ:onuollcd suhstallces 10 an addICt and the reckless dIsregard Ii)!' the 1'1lIlSL'qUl'Il(l'S or that ,HldlCtlOn (see' WillialllS I"Hallliller, file.. 1\1)3d .952 NYS2d .1.13 I..].'hJ)cpt 2lJ 121) [he llL"l'llSl'to wri te pt"l'Scrlptions Ii.)rop ioi d d nlgs c:lrri cs wi tll II i\ll po !"ltU reSplll1S1 Ilil il'S It b lll..'rl'. pl~lllllllrS Cbll11 tildl Dr. Li rceklessly and l1egltgelllly prescribed l,)pinid SUbSl:UlCCS l.arll'r lu [* 7] }lalulIl' \".('mIllry of Suffolk. l't al. :"0.: O-t11212012 ludex jlagl' 7 \\'ltilollt taklllg necL·ssar)' precautions. The claims in this case are lhstltlguishahle from [hos ¢..cas ¢.. ' 's in whICh a medical provider is alleged to have 1~liled to perceive a risk or danger and failed [0 ('.\ ¢.. TCISCcontrol to pn.:vcnt harm to others. Instead. plaintiffs in this case contend thai Dr I..i recklessly helped 10 cp.:atL'tl1e danger by reeding l.;lIli.::r's addiwon. The distinctIon IS signitlclill In thL' 'lpinion nftl1is C\)llrL under een~llil Ltetu'll ClrCUl11stallCGS there (;.\ists a duty to [11(;g(;I1LT~d Plib IIC lit)! LoSUPPly pl'(;scri pLiolls 10 mal Iltai n an add iet or habitual user 0 r cun [ro IIed substances. !\ IllL'dICIi pn)vlt!cr may lHVi,; duty Loprotect the public Ii-om the actions or <ldrug ~lddlCI dlld he l1lay a he !cllIlld 10 IHlve bn.:achcd thal dUly iC he crCaLes or lllatiltains the addiction throllgh hiS uwn cgregiulls conduct..I\t tillS stage orthe proccedillgs, pl'lll1titTs shollid be a!Torded [he opportunity tn proceed ag'1111S1 r. 1.1tt) ex p Ior~ IIIrougll ellscovel'Y procced IllgS the Icvel 0 fll i s ,111g"d In v()IVcIl1 D e CIlI, i r :lilY, l1l Laffer's addll.:tlol1 and whclher Dr. Li kncw or had reason \0 know thut Lafler pn,:sciltetl ~lrisk ofilarm 10 hilllsclr()r others. Accordingly. tll" motion for dismissal orlhe complainL ag'linsl I)r. Li is cknicd. ,./ Dated: ( 2 l"INAI. DISPOSITION i -O'-'-fL ~ /0 I ) ((~~te ._ liON. WILLIAM Il. REIlOLINI ¢ .I.S.t'. NON-FINAL 1)1SI'()SITI()N [* 8] BiIWR :\lltln1l.:\' I\ll" Plaillii ,[krk uf rlS: .Jnllll Ray & !\sslKlalcs 1:':' :'-!onh ('Quntry RO:.Jd rvlJlkr Place, NY I 17(l4 County (lfSlIfrolk ;md Richard Domler runner Commissioner ~.!r{hl; uni.>l'" County Police Denartment: S .-\IIMn ¢.. rnf '\' f)dcl.!d~ltllS [)l.:lllllS M. Cohell. Sunolk County AttOIllCY By: Susan A. Flynn, Ass!. COUniy !\nolllcy 100 Vl:terans Memorial Highway, r.o. Bo.\ () 100 Ilaupp'lllgC. NY 11788 Allorncy for Ddcnd,ll1t 1\l1hoo Lahoratories: Iklknap Wt:bb & Tykr. LLP 11.13 !\venue. oCthe Americas New York, NY j(J03() Palll.:rSOl1 Ikl\.:ndallts: 11,1\1<..'11 Drugs. Inc. alld VlllOd(l Kudclwdkar 7() S()L1I.I1'lvCIl A VCllLlG Mcdllml. NY 117():, IkLllr 8:.I;vam: 1.IY ()I Ih()~ld\V'IY- Suik Nl'W \\)I"k. i.110 NY I (jO(J() [Ill' ('Ollr!

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