Riddick v Suffolk County Pub. Adm'r

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Riddick v Suffolk County Pub. Adm'r 2016 NY Slip Op 32176(U) September 9, 2016 Supreme Court, Suffolk County Docket Number: 10-27260 Judge: Joseph Farneti Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip Op 30001(U), are republished from various state and local government websites. These include the New York State Unified Court System's E-Courts Service, and the Bronx County Clerk's office. This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official publication. coY't [* 1] SllOKI H lKM\lKlll'I{ • ' S~ ~1l" .~ lNDEX No. 10-27260 CAL No. 14-00587MV SUPREME COU RT - STATE or NEW YORK l.A.S. PART 37 - SUFFOLK COU NTY PRESENT: Hon. JOSEPH FARNET! Acting Justice Supreme Court MOTION DATE 8-4-15 ADJ. DATE 12-3-15 Mot. Seq.# 008 - MCJ; CASEDISP If 009- XMD ---------------------------------------------------------------)( BOBBY RIDDICK. Plaintiff, EWALL & EWALL, ESQ. Attomey for Plaintiff 946 Park A venue Huntington. New York l 1743 ZAKLUKJEWlCZ, PUZO & MORRISSEY. LLP - against - Attorney for Defendants Tuthill & Suffolk County 2701 Stmrise Highway, P.O. Box 389 Islip Terrace, New York 11752 SUFFOLK COUNTY PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF LEON PERLSTEIN, DECEASED. MfCHAEL G. TUTHILL, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK and SUFFOLK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS TRANSPORTATION DIVISION, Defendants. FRANKLYN A. FARRlS, ESQ. Suffolk County Public Administrator 300 Center Drive Riverhead, NY J 1901 RICHARD T. LAU & ASSOCIATES 300 Jericho Quadrangle, P.O. Box 9040 Jericho, New York 11753 ---------------------------------------------------------------)( Upon the following papers numbered 1 to -2.:!_ read on this motion and cross mt1tio11 for summary judgment : Notic:.: or Motion/ Order to Show Cause and suppo1ting papers I - 12 ; Notice of Cross Motion and supporting papers 13 - 24 : Answering Affidavits and supporting papers 25 - 41 · 42 - 47 : Replying Affidavits and suppo1iing papers 48 - 51: 52 - 54 : Other_: (ttnd afte1 ltea1 i11g eotmsel i11 soppor t and opposed to the 111otio11) it is, ORDE,""R.ED that the motion by defendants Michael Tuthill and the County of Suffolk for an Order. pursuant to CPLR 3212, granting summary judgment in their favor is granted; and it is further ORDERED that the cross motion by defendant Suffolk Cow1ty Public Administrator. as Administrator of the Estate of Leon Perlstein, deceased, for summary judgment dismissing the complaint as [* 2] i{1dd1ck' '- ull11lk ( 11111ll\ I11\k, '\ "· : n..~ 72r111 I '.t~'l' ' :1 ,.;1.·111.·d .1~ 1 ai11..;t it 1111 thi..· !Jrc 1u11d that pl:1i1llifrdid 11Pl '- ll"t:ii11 a ··-.:crillu..; i11 iur<· · .; I o'! \I 1i·~1. k· 1 111.·1.I.,.., 111P\1t :i-. lk: li111.:d in l11-.ur;111\.\' I ,t\\ !1 1.1111: .:1J 1 ll. pl;1illlilf l~11hh: Riddicl-. cnn1111..:11c..:d this :11.·1i1111 lu r1..·1.·1nl'l d:u11aµc:-- J(ir pcr-.1111;1l 1111un1.·, h1.· .tlk~i..·dl: '-lht.11111:d ·'" 1111.: rc-.ult 1lr a 1m1tm \chick arr1de11t th<it tH:1..urn:d 1111 ( ount: R11ad -"' 111 tli1.· I 11\\ 11 111 \11uth:1111pt11111111 '\m 1..·111her I0 . .2009. I he ai..·i..·ilkllt .tlkµ..:JI: liappc111..·d \\ll\'n :1\1..·hick dri\l'll h: I 1..·1111 l'nl ... t1.·i111..·olli1kd \\ llli the ri..·ar nr a public hus {)\\ ncd h: dekmla111 ( 0lllll~ or ~uffolk a11J dri\ 1..'ll h: 1kk11dant ~liclwcl I 111hill. .\t thi..· timc ol'thi..· rnlli-.;ion. plaintiff \\ilS ridirl! a:- a p;h:--1.·11~1..T in the h11s. H~ '11.., htll nr puniculms. pluin1i IL1llcs1..·s lie :-.uf"li.:r..:d \<trin11s injuril.'s dui..· tn the i critk11t. irn:ludcd a p:irti:d p.i1dl;1 trnd\\11 11..·ar in hi-. rq.!h t k111..·1. '. 111uilipk disc bulges i11 his ccn·ical and lu111 h1r rcl! io11s. lu111 h;1r rnd1cul11p:1t h: . and hi lateral ulnar 11.·11ro1 1 x1th:. I k a lso al k g1.·s that thl.' accident ~:-.:a1.:nba1ed pr1..·1..•.'\is ti11µ 11cd. had . ,\ lll'l' :111d '' risl r1111di1i111h. wid that he ''a' tot;.illy di sabkd !'or I 0 months due Lu !tis i11jurics. 0 B: Onkr d.111.·d \larch 23. 201~. this ( 'oun grantl.'d a mot inn h)· I 1.·on Pi..·rl stcin li1r an onkr jl1i11in:.• h1r tri.il 1his •1<:ti1ll' '' ith a pn-.onal injur~ a1:tion pl.'ndinµ in this ( 'ourl. assignnl lndc.\. 11mh1..·r -t. ~(l I<J "'O 111. hrouµht .1µai11s1 him h) \ lathl.'\\ PatricL another passc..:ngl'r <Ill the bus. \ l.111ths later. rn1 :\uµust 1>. ~() 12. I 1..·1111 l>1..Tlstci11 pas-.;i..·d :1\\a~ . Suhsc..:quc11tly. t.:ou11:--d for plaintiff. the Suffolk< 't1111ll~ tkkndatlls. thL' Suffolk < 11111 1t: l1 t1hlic .\d1 111n1s!r:ttor. l·ranldyn F ~1r ri s. :111d th1..· la'' linn nf' Rich :ird ·1. I .:1u & 1 ssot.: iatt...·s. "hirh lwd \ h1.•c11 n:p rcs1..·1 11ing I l.'011 Perlstein pri\ir to his dc..:<1th. 1.':\l.'cutc..:d a slipu latio11 thut prn,·itks. in parl. 1 h~11 th1.· SulTPlk ( 'tiunt ~ · Puhlil.' /\d111inistrnlor. in its caprn:it: ~l s ndrninistrator or J>,;rlstc..:i11"s C..:Sl<.lll.'. is sub1.,ti ltlll'd ,h ;i tll'l~mlalll ill plm:c..: nrPcrl~ll'in. The..: slipulalion \\as SlHH'dC..:rt.!d hy tile..: C°Olll'l 111) .lune..: 2L 201~. //////( /l/"(l //1//( 1l1 \la~ 0 I h .."U I~. B: Order dalL'd June I. 2015. the Court c.knic..:d a nwli<m hy the..: Su folk ( ·ount) Public \clmi 111:--trator lllr Sllnllllar} judglllL'll\ Oil lhl.' issth.: ol" serious in_iur) 011 thl.' µround lhHI lhc.:rl' \\'aS 110 L'\·idl'lll'l' th:ll till' 1'11hl1c .\d111i11istr:1lor had retained lhl' la\\' lirm or Richard T. I.au & /\ssociutlS to represent the estate (lr I c1Hl i>\.'rls11..·i11 in this aclirn1. Further. the Court also denied a motion hy dc..:kndants J'u th ill and Count; nr Sul ltilk f\11 '>lll llllW I'} _judg.nk'llt Ill) the isSllC..: or liability Oil till' ground that the arfidav it Pl' Sl'l"\'ice 1:1ikd 10 i11d1rnte that -.;11ch 1notio11 \\:JS sc1Ted tin the Public Adrninislrator. I lovVC\cr. the..: <.k11 ia l ol"thL· motions \\;ts" ithu111 pr1..·j11diec to rL'lll'\\:tl \\'ithin thirty (:lOJ <lays or the entry ol"tht: June I. :'O I") Onkr upon prnor that Richard I . I .iu & \-.;,ociatcs i-. mllhori/cd Ill .1ct i11 this .1c..:tio111111 hc..:half of the Public ,\dministratnr. 1 I kli:nda111-. I uthill and Cuu11t: or ~ulfol!.. tlO\\ mm i..· for an onkr grn11ti11µ sum111,1r) j11dg111e11t d1-.,111is-.inµ tk n1111pl.1i11t aµai11-.:t 1h1:11' 1m tl1c µround that I c..:nn Pcrl-.;tcin·s llq.!lig1..·11ce \\as thc suk ptn\illlat..: l':111s1..· 111"the :-.ul~ji..-c1 accidc111. \ltl.'rn:1tiwl)-. the Suffolk Count; dcli:1H :1111s argue plai1111n·" i1lkµed i11juri1..· ... do 11ot meet the No-1-':1111! I.a\\ ·s ··serious injur: ·· thn:shnld sd forth in l11sura1 I.aw ~.:) l O:'. (d l. 11.:l.' l1 hnr:111cc I :1\\ ~ ~ l 02 (d) dclincs ··si..: ri ous injury·· ilS ··a person; I i11jur} \\h1ch r1..·:--1dts in tkath: di-.ll11.'1llbcr111clll: :--iµ11i lit::llll di:-.fiµ_url'l11C..:llt: <I fractun.:: loss of a fCtus: p.:mianent fo-.;..; ol' llS1..' ol· ;t hPlh nrµ;lll. lllL'l11h1..T. runt.:litlll l)J" '}'itL'lll: (1l'rll1<\11e1l COllSelJLIC..:lltiaf JimiWli1lll OfUSl ol";t hod~ 11rµ;111 or nll.'lllhl'l': ... 1µ1111ica11t li111i1<1tio11111· usl' of <1 hod~· function nr SY'-'lcm: or a medical I~ tl..:terminl.'d injur: Pr i111p.1ir111ent 111" a 11011-permalll.'llt n:llltrl' \\hich prc\ents the injured pn-.;on from pcrfnnninµ suhstantially ;ill of thi..· 111all'1 ial [* 3] J \iddiL'k \ '-,11ffidk ( • llll[\ I ndc \ '\ 1 • I fl _~ - .' 1,11 I'.tl!l' .1ch \\llich cu11st1 tt1ll' '1 1cll p1.:r:-.11n\ u..;ual and clhll1111ar: tl<til: :11..'li\ itils Jiir 1101 ks-.. th:11111i11"·t: d:1:.., 1111: olh' li1111drnl t' i~ht: d.1:' i111nh:di:•ll'I.' ti1lh1\\ in~~ till· oc"·u1Tcllc\.' 111' lh"· inj11r: Pr i11q1:iirn11.·111 ... 11111nkr 111J'l'L'll\'1.:r1111dcr 1he ··pcrnialk'llt lo-.,s duri11~ ur llSl' .. cal..:g\lr.'. pl:ii111i If llll JSI dt'llll11lslr:1h' :1 lllt;tl In-.: .... 11 1 a hnd: 11rµ:11 11ll'lllher. ft111Lti()ll Pr systc111 (Ober~r 1· /Ja11g.\·. lmh 11/1 ' i. 111ce. W1....,: Y 'J .2 1>'. 7 ~ X 1-~()() 111. I\) pr\\\ l' till· \.''\ll'lll Ill' tk·~r,:c ph: -..ical li111italil)11 \\ ith l'\.'~·Pl'l'I Ill th\.· .. ,)\.Tlllilll\.'111 111' IN' or 7 ~-, '\ Y\.\I 1.·111b1.'lJlll'lltial l111111:11i111111l'use ora bud: 11q;an 11r member'· or a ··sign llc.111t lim ita1i1111 01'11""' ll1°:1 hod: I u11Cti1111 11r s: -.;1cm·· c;\ll'1!0l'il·s. ei ther a spcci!ic p"·rcentagc or the lo-;.., nl· rnnµe 11l' nwti1111 1m1-.,1 he .i ....crihed. m thc1\· 111ust he .1 -..unieit:11t tkscripti1111 oi'the ··qualitati\e 1iatu1\:.. 11J'plai111i1rs li111i1:1tin11'\. \\ith an \lhjcclih· h<1si:-.. l'lllT\.'lati11~ pl:ii111iir ... lirni1:11in 11s tll till' n11rma l ru11c1io11. pu rpose :11 1d llS\.' 111'1lil' hod: p:lrt t \<'<' P erl 1· llelr er. 18 '\Y.ld 208. <> .~<) '-:YS,d (1)5120 1 l I). .\minor. lllild nr slight limit;1lion t1t'us"· 1s l'lll1'ilkrL·d 111-..i~11ilit·.1111\\ithi111ht.:1111.·ani11µ ol'the slatllle (/.irnri 1· Oliott. 57 0!\'2d 730. -1)) \''-'_\I -::;70I1 1 >X~ll. < >n a 11wtio11 lilr -..1111111iar: judgment. the lkli.:ndanL has the initial hurd1...·1101·11wki11ga11ri111u !<1<·11· 'Ihm in:!. throu~h the suhlllissioll of l'\'idt:nce in :tdmissihk form. that the in_jltrl'd plai11tiff dtd llt\t Sll..,1.lill a 1_jury·· \\'ithin the meani ng ( l r ln sUntllCL' I .:.iw ~ I 02 (d) (.\'('(' Gm/t~1· I' h) ·ler. ~ Y2d l))). 'i82 "Serious i1 NY S2d l)(J() I 1<)l)2 I: ,. f klrlar 1· Sa11tos. 57 /\I) >d 593. 869 YS2d 220 I2d Dept 2008 I). I he de k11dant 111:1: s n -..atisl~ thi' hun.k11 h~ suhrnilling the plaintitrs depo..,itio111c:-.ti111on) < nd the artinned medical rcpl1r1 nt'tlic de l\.·11da1 O\\ll t:'\a n1 in ing pll) sie ian (see Moore 1• Hdi.wm . 25 ./\ D )t (1i'2. X11 NYS2d 7~ -l 12d lkpt 1t·s 200hl: Fam:es 1· l\a111ra11 . 22 1\IYid 458. 802 'YS2d 706 l2d lkpt 20051). I he foilun: to 111akc such ;1 /'1'/lllu /uch -;IH1\\ ing requires the denial of the mmion regardk<>s l)f th-: s11nicicnt:\ of'lhl'. 11pp11sing pap"-rs (W<' ll'i11<'grad \' .Vew rork l 'rril'. Med. Ctr.. 6-l NY2d 851. 85:l. -187j\YS2d-'16 I 1<)8) I: /Imm e ,. /\°(' II' l'ork Ci~r Tr. . 1111/r•. 2()3 t\D2<l -l(ll. (,<)2 1YS2u 731 12d Dept 1999 11. I krl'. lht: '-;11 rl(.1ll-. Cou nt) tkll:nJanls 111:llk :t 1iri11w /c1cic shP\\ i11~ 1lwt plaintiff did nut -.;us1ai11 :1 ,,:riuu~ i11jur~ "1thi11 the 111cani11~ Pl' ln,uranct: I .a\\ ~ 5102 (d) thrnuµli tlw artirmnl n:port lll 11H1\ i11µ dL'li.:11dan1s· t::-::1111ini11~ ph~sici:1n (we Bailey 1· Islam. 99 ;\ f) ld c,: l)'),1\JYS2d3 1) 11-;t lkpl 20121: Sierra n, 1• Gmr-:.ole-:. Fint l .imo. 7 1 . \ D1d 8<)-L 89:) f\JYS2d 8(1} I 2J Dept 20 I< I: Su~fl 1• J's/111a . 5l) . \I) 1d (1 I L X7-I '\~S2d I XO 12d lkpt 200 1>!). On Scptcmher <)_ 2011. appm~imatl'ly thret· ~t:ars and 1cn month-; alkr th1.· s11hject accidcnt. nH1\•i11µ ddi.:ndan1s· examini ng orthopedist. Dr . .lay: ath.111. examined pbintiff and pcrli1rn1L·d CLTtain orthnpnlic and ncunill)gical tcsls. including the strai;~hl lq1 rai-;inµ ll''il. I achma11·, k''t. \k\l11rr;1\ ·, 11:..;t I i11kd..;tl·in·s '"''l. l'i111:1'" tc..;t. and Phalen· .., ll'SI. Dr >:a !l1<111 !()und tltal all till' lc:->t r1.·-.,i:I!·; \\\.T\.' llcµali\'l.' or llnJ'lllill. C:\Ccpl for pos iti\'l.' l'inl'l's lest for the median Ill''\ l' oi' plai1llilrs hutlJ \Hists . l)r "\ath..111 found lh:ll 1 ht:re \\ll" no spasm in p l :ii n tilr~ t:cn·ical and lumbar re .!i(11 althouµh tiler"· \\a~ 111i11i111:il 1-;. tl'lltkme-;s 1her1.·i11. I )r '\athan also pcrl(irmed rnng.c of motion testing ,)n nlai111i Ir' cc ., i<.:al and 1lwracolumbar spin. "·lbo\\S. \\Tists. hands and knct:s. using u go11 iu111l.!tl'r t•i mc~t sure !ti-; jl>illl llHl\1.:1 11"·111. I )1 . '\:i th:111 fC>tlllJ that plai11tiffexhihitl'd llOrlllHl_joinl l'lln<:tion in his Ccl'\·ical < llli lhnracolumhar ->pin. l'lhll\\S. \\ri-..b. h.ind-.. and knl'.l'"· lk i\athan opined that plainti!Tlwd no disahilit: al the 1i1lll' lll'tlt1.· c'\ami11atll111 ( '<'<' Willi.' 1• .\'e11• for/; Ci~r Tr. . 11111!.. 1-+ .\l )\d (it)(). 78() '\iYS2d 221 l2d Dept ~00.'ill. I unhcr. at hi-.; dqlo'iilion. plaintin ll'stilil·d that he \\tis uncmplo)cd al thl' tillll' nl till' :1ccid1.·11t. :ind tha t he \\:ts 1w1 <.:11rilined tl' hcd or ho111l' fo ll owing LhL an: idcnl. l'l~1 in t ilT t cst i lit:d 1 al'tcr till· s11hjn·t ' lw1 accident. Ill· \\as La~e11 b~ ambulancc t() a11 cmerg1:nc:y room and wa:-. disch<1rged on till· sa1rn: d;1~ \\ 11h111 a [* 4] l~id,lid.' \uH,111-. ( 1>11tll\ ! n,k\ '\ u. ! tl 2 ·,1 2hll l':t~'L' ~ \\L'l'i-- :1J t,·1 till· ;11.:c idl'i\l. l1l' \\l'llt t11 h1sll'rn Is land i\kdic:tl Carl· \\hLTe Ill· l'l'Ll'i\l'd ph: -., i1.::d tll1.·r:1 a11d p: l"l1ir(l1'r:1,·111.· trc;i11111.·11h Ji1r al1tt1i-.. 1 l\\11 \l'<trs. Pl:1i111iff tl''-lilil.'d lh:11 tlwrL· ·-, 110 :1c ti\ 1 : th-it Ill· j-, 1111ahk ll1 1 1'1.·rft1rn1 .tllll h1.· li:1d dillicull: ph1:in~ h:ish·thalL nm11i11t' and llliin)-' ,,,,., l'irt, p111111d-,. l'l.1 i1111 n·., dq111-.i111111 11..·-,1i1111111: e--1.1hli-,li1.·d 1lia1 h1-.. inj11rics did 111)1 pr1..'\l'lll hi111 lr1>11l p1..Tlormi11µ ··.,11h-,1a1n1.ill: .tll .. 1111'1,· 111.ttl'rt:il a1.·h 1.·1111 1ut i11µ Iii-, 1.·thl! 111,1r: dai l: <1cli» itil's d11n11g at ku-;1 1 uut u J tli1.. li1-,1 180 d:1 l1illo\\ irtF tk .,ti Jll :.., :11.·ridi.:111 t '<'<' Bun"· 1· ,\/cCabe. 17 \l)\d I I I I. 7<>.+ NYS2d 7..(17 l.fth I kpt 20051: C11r1:i· 1• I de:. ~ I \ \I ).\I -4-L'. M1; \! Y S.2d <>' I 2d I kpt I 1J<J7 I I. 11111'>. tile "\ul Jnlk ( '1llllll.' dl'f\.:nd:111ts llH.'l tlh:ir initial hurdC:ll o!' 1..'SlahJ ishi11g tl1<1t pbintiJ'J' d1d I HI! susllli11 ;1pen11<1JK1 1.·1111scq L11:11li<t l li111it:nirn1n 1 us1..·01':1hody11rga11or1111.•mbcr nr -.;i;•11ili1.-.1111 lilllit:1tio11 ul' 1t · lhL' pf' ;1 hod.' f'1111clin11 (l l' s~ Sh.' Ill. and that hl· \\aS 1101 pr1.'\"l.'llll.'d frnlll per( ; 1n11i11~ suh-,1a11ti;d]~ :tll 11r hi-, ti..t1;1I ;111d Cll'>l\\111:1r~ daiJ~ i cti\ itiL'S lor I)() nf tltL' lir'it 180 da) '>fol Ill\\ ing th\.' an:id~·nt \\it hill lh1..' llll.'<lllllllf or l11s11ra11n.: I<\\\. ~ 5102 (d) ( "'" Gow:.alez 1• <iree11 . 2.+ 1\1).)d <>:)<). 805 !\. 'i ~.2d 450 I~d I kpt .2005 I). or r:Kt (St'<' Gad<(I' 1· t::l'ler. \/ffl/"<11. \ llr ltl.T 1.'0lllplaints or pa ill\\ ith ohjccti\'L' llll'diL'af l'\'i1.fL'l1Cl.' SJH1\\·j11µ thl.' L':\ll'lll Or tkgrL'l' nr lhL' lilllilali<lll or lllll\ L'lllL'lll C<lllSL'd h~ l'h1..· hurdc11. thl.'ri.:fi1rl' . shirted lo plainlilTto raisl.' H lriabk issrn: p :tllltiff claimin~ illlllr.' \\"ilhi11 th\.' .. limilallOll of llSI.' .. <.:atq!orics 1lll1St s11hsla11tiatl.' his 1h1.· iniur: ;1 its duration, ,.l'<' Fermro 1 Ridge Car SC'n'. . .fl) t\ J)3d -1 11d · <>8. 85 ~ \!Y~.2d -W8 l2d 1kpt .1 008 I: \/ejia 1• l>eRoH'. ~' ·\l))d -W7. 8:1 5 N 'r'S2d 77-:> 12d lkpl 200(11 : l. un~//(1 1• Vui .\Jing l .<111. 32 .\ l};d l)\ J( i. lCI ~ YS.2d h4.2 l2d lkpl .2110Cij: Ceri. ·ier 1· Thi/Jiu . 29 1\l)'.)d S07. 815 YS2d 1-W l2d lkpt ~OO<ijl. lo , pnl\c ~iimilit:anl physica limitation. a plaintiff musl presl.'nt l.'ithl.'r objecti\'l: quanlilali\ c L'\ idl.'.IKL' 11!' lhL· !\)"" lll rn11µl' 11f'tnotio11 and ih dnralio11 hasl.'d on n rl..'1.:l'nt e:-;aminalinn of'thl' plai llilltir a '>Llf'lit:ie111 tk-.;1.:rip1i,111 ol.th1.· "quali talivc nattm:'· t1f'plai ntil'l"s limitations. with an obj<..:c.:li\'•.' bas is. correlatin g pl,1i11tilrs li1t 1 i1~1t i11 11s l lo lhl' 11or111al runc1i1111. purpose and llSI.' orthl.' hody part (W't' Perl I' 1 \lelter . \'JlfJFll: Toure l' .· t l'i.\ Rent .·I Car .\)'\/ems. Inc.. 98 l\ Y.2d 345 . 7-H> YS:2d 8651200:21: Rm·elo 1• Volq. 8~ .-\D3d 10)4. 1>.:'I ~YS2d 1.22 j.~d I kpt 201 11 ). ,\minor. mild or slight limitation or use is considered insigni licanl "ithi11 1he nll.:anin~ of' 1!11: o.;ta tutc (\c•1• /.irnri 1• l·:lliolt . .rn;m1: Cebro11 1 T1111cogl11. 109 Al)} d 631. 1)70 NYS2d 826 l 2d lkpl :'OU I 1. l·urthl'rtllllrt'. :1 plaintiffclai1ning SL'rio11s injury \\ho ceases lrcalmcnl alkr the al.'citknt 111us1 olrl'r :t n:a-.011:1hk e:-.plan:.Hinn for h;i,·i11µ done :-o ( Pommells 1· Pere: . .+ ·y:;d SM>. 574. 71>7 ... . S2d .180 I :'IHI-\ I: \(' l' ' 'tt\lf 11<': I' .lo/111 J>oe # I . n A I) 1c.I 1033. <JO) \J YSJd 188 I 2d I kpt 20 I() I: Rfrero I' IJ m·ft ll'ich Rit~!;e11 •01NI J>mps .. lite. . <11 .'\I) Jd 712. 880 N YS.2d 1.f9 I:2d I kpt 20091 > . 0 1 111 oppo-;ition. plai11tilf co11Lcnd-; that thi.: motion h: the SulTolk ( '1 u111, lkkndants Ji1r o.;11111111:1r: iudµlllL'lll lllllSl ht.: d1.: liL\l 1\11 thl' µrnund ,hat tlil.'~ 1:1ikd to -.;uhmil rniof'tl.it \ich<trd I . Lill c\:.. ,\-.-,11ci:1l1.''> j., .11 11 l111ri1nl [II . IC\ i11 1Ji 1 ;tcti1m llll hL'l1al r or th1.· Public. \d111111i-.;trator. I lll\\C-. er. plai111irr ... '>lll'h l."tlllli.:111 i1111 j., ., "ithnut 1111.'r it sinc1.: suc h proor,,as s uh111itll.'d \\'ith the cross 111olion by the Public ,\d111i11isLrntnr. Pl:ti 111iff :tls11 arµu1..·-; tlt1..· Sulfoll-. ( 'nunty dcll.·ndants" 1..'\p..:rt report is in-;urtit:ienl lll med their hunkn nn thr 11101 inn l'l:1intilrt:1lll\L'1Jdo.; that tl11..· positi\l' !"ind·:; tl''\l l'l.'Stilts for his \\'l'iSlS raisl' a tr able issu1..• as lo \\h1.·tlwr lt1.· SdS tilined a ··:-lTious i11jury" as dclincd ir Insurance I.ct\\. ~5 I()~ (d ). I Ill\\.:\ er. the llll'l'l' l'\islL'llL'L' or carp; ti llllll)cl '-~ nd l'\\11\L' is IHI\ l'\'idcllCl' orn Sl'rtl)llS in.jury in the absence or nb.jc:c li\ l' IL'still1! of'lhl.' L':\(l'lll :tlld dmatio11 11J' 1hc alkµcd pit: sic:al lirni1a1io11s rl.'sttltinµ from th1..· injur' ! \'('(' Jacob.\· 1 Slag/11. -17 ·\ I >1d <17 1J. X-..() • '\YS2d l<1<1 l.\l lkp1 ~OllXj: J>aller.\011 1 .\'. }'. . I /arm Re\yw11,·e Corp.. 4:; \l>ld <1)(1. 850 "\YI..\ \I 111 l~d • I kpt .~111171 I. l'lai111i 1r IurlhL'r ;1rgu1..·-, Ihat the llll·dical rL'pllrb pr1..·p:.u·cd h~ hi~. lrl.'ating ph: si ·i:111s ra1~1.· a [* 5] \ \ll j'J I Iik ( •\)lJJlf\ l11d1.."' \11 . I 0-2'/_ ")(,tJ j{ iddid\ 1ri;1hk i..;-..t11: ;i:-; 10 \\lw1h1..·r h1..· :rnrk n.:d inj.i r;. \Yitli in tlk' ··sig11 i lic ~1111li1 11 il<ll i\\n111 ' 11:-.c .. ,·<1tc~ 1>r: nl' l11 :-.ur;i111.:,: I :1\\ ~ " I (I _~ (,l }. 11111ppositi1i11 . pbi111i tr suhm il:-. hi-; O\\'ll ;1J'lid:1,·i1 and !Ill <; \\Of'll 111cdic:tl n:1 111r1:-. :111d .1J'Jirn1atill1 ol I )r. Rich;ml ~1..· : 1rs . .Jr .. I )r. I )a1 1iel Kmma n. Dr. Stq1hrn h o111111. I )r. I· I lint I· i-.;1..·11h,:r_:.! cr. I )r. 1s \ndr1..·\\ I h\;111 µ. J)r. Ri\.'lwn l Si1..·).!111:11111. lk Thomas Dlm ling. lk : \rj <1 n ~~ .\hh:1:-.i. lk J);111i1..·l l~ n 1 mk11:-,k i11 . :111d 1>1. \111h lra f>l t.·ni.:r T he S\\ (11'11 rq1or11lf' I )r. Sc;1rs is insulfo:icn t w dclcal sum 111~1ry j11 J gmrnt. I )r. Scar:,· rc pnrt. dat1..·d '-:11Yc1 11hcr I i . .:00<1_:-.1..:t li.1r1h pbintilrs complain ts nnd the li11di11gs. i11cl.1 di11_!! tli c li 111i ta till11s in hi..; c1..T\ it·;1I :t11d lt1111h<1r j 11in1 !'u111..·tion. 111 casurcd during range o f 111otio11 t1..~sting. I >r. Scars. lim\l'\ er. 1:1ikd ll\ -..1alL' ho\\ li1..· n1c:1 surcd thl' joi nt runction in plai11 tiJrs ccr\'ical and lumbar spi nes i1 hi-.; r1..·pmt. lh: ( \ 1un can nnl~ 1 ;iss t11111.: lhal l)r. Sl.':trs· lcsls \\·en' , ·isu~tl ly llhscn ·l.'d "ilh th1.· i11p t1l oi' plai 111 ifl. 1·111.' l~1i lu rc 1 s1at l.' and u 1k -..crihc th1..· 11..'"h tl'\l'L! ''ill r1..·11dl.'r th1.· llpi11inJJ insul'Jicil.'lll ( \ t'l' /Jar11ey" /'0111h.\·to11e l'i::a ( 'orp . .1 71 \ I > > .'d <1(} 1 J. 7 J t) l\ Y S..:\I 7o-+ J .'.d I kpt 200 I J: ller111a11 ,. Clrnrch . 2 7(1 , \ 1>2d .p I. 71-+ . YS2d 87 J 2d I kpt -~ (JOO I). I '11..· "''l 'rl1 rcp11ns n l· J)r. Korman arc insunit.:icnl lo dc kat surnm<ll'Yjudg111c111 . l> r. l-.:.tin11;111 ·s rl.'pnrts. datl.'d .l:u1 u:1ry (J. .20 I (J _ l·cb ruary 1(i. 20 11. Ocwhcr 31. 20 I -+ . ~111d Nm l'mher 2-L 201 L i11di c<11L· 1l w1 pn formcd range or·nwtion Lcsting. 0 11 plaimilrs cnvicul and lumbar regions and km.:t.:s on No,·1.'rn hlT 17 . .'2009. lkcemh1..T ~ 1..2009. January t> . :2 011. and Sepkmbcr 8. 201..+. Dr. Korman li1und 1ha! pl: ti111iff h;1d r•1ngc n!' 11101io11 r1..·stric1ions in hi :, ce rvit:al and lumbar regions ;111d knu.!s. I lo\\·cv...:r. lih · Dr. S1.·ar~. Dr. Korman n.till'd (\l slate liU\\ lie 1111.:asunxl the joint !'u nction in plain Ii rr s CLT\'ica l and lum bar spines ill hi s n.'ptirts ( ~'t'l' /lam ey 1• To111/Jsto11e Pizza Corp . .rnprn : Jlernum 11 C/111rclr . s11;m1). 111..· The S\\'Ot'll reports or Dr. Fromm arc insufficient to ddcal summary judgment. lk Fromm's reports. dated lkccn1hcr 9. 2009 and January 6. 20 I 0. set f<.1rlh plaintitrs complaints and the findin gs. i11cl11ding 1hc li1n ilal io 11:, in his n·n·: cal and lumbar joint !'unctio n. measured du ring range or motion testing. I )r. Frn 111111 foiled lo slalL' how Ile 1 nc:1sun.:d lhc joi nt r·unclion in plainiifrs CL'l'\'ical aiid lumb:ir spi111..·s in his reports (St'<' llanu:1 · " To111b.\·to11e Pi:-:.a Corp. s111>ru: llerma11 1' Church. \' lf/)f'U) . or al'li rn wlit>n. d;11 cd '...Jovcrnbcr l 0. 2014. Dr. l ~ iscnhngcr is insunicit:n l lo dc ll'U l s u11111wry j ud gment. lk l'. iscnbergc.:r's ani rrnation indicates thal atcmdinµ. 10 the MR I l.'Xa111i11a1i1111 of' plain ti rr" lumbar spinL'. pcrl'ormcd 0 11 No,·cmher )0. 2009. he hud bu lg in g discs n l 13-1 A. I A-15. :ind I .:' '\ I. I Jn,,c,·cr. lk i:i-.;,:nhc.:ri:'lT foile d lo prof'li..:r an opi nion as In 1he cause ol' t'11.· h1111har inju ry 11111 in his cd rq1nrt (.\ ec' Sc/1eker 1• Brown. 91 /\ D .~ d 751. 9) () NYS2d 28.1 J 2d [kpl 20 12 J: Sorto 1· Morales. 5:" :\I ).ld 7 18. 8<l8 NY~2d ()7 12d Dcpl 20081: Co/li11s 1 •.\'tmre. 8 /\ J))d 321. 77~ N YS 2d 7lJ J2d lkpl .:O O·~l l. I he S \\l)l'll T he swnm ani nm1tion. dated ovcm hc r 18. 20 1-L nr Dr. I lwa rg is insu nici1..·1 tu dcli.:;it su111111ar: 1l jud1!rnc111. Dr. I h\ang's nnirmalio n indic:1 lhat according lo the MRI examination or pl;,1 1L·s i11tilr..; ri gh1 k11 1..·1..·. pcrli1 n11cd nn N11\ctnhcr 2\. ,2()()\). he.: had ll.ill 1hick11css L r in his right k1 ea 1cc. I l nWL'\ 'lT. Dr. I h\1111 µ 1;1ikd IP 11rn ff,·r an l>pinion as lo the muse <11' the right knee inj ury noted in his rcpl• rl (see Sclu:ker ,. Brm1•11. ·'"/)J't1: Sorto 1· 1 llora/es. supra : Colli1t.'> 1· Sto11e. Sll/ll'll) . l'hi: ..;worn <dfo·m at ion. da1cd No , 1..·mhcr I :i. 20 1-+. n!' I )r. Sic 't?.111a1111 is insul'lici-.:n1 hi dl'll.'411 -;u1 n111<1n . jutl µ111L·n1. I )r. Sicµnia1111 ·~ ,i1·rirnwtinn indicate:-. that according lll the i'vlR I c:-.::uni 11ul it 111 u i' pl:ii11ti 1r s c1..·n i1..·;d [* 6] l\1ddid \ '.'llllfolk ( 11\llll\ 1 lri.f...., '\d, 1ll _ 7_..,flll f'.t!..'L' (1 -..pillL'. J1LTli1rntL'd Oil L'hru:ir: I(). 20 Io_IJL• h:id bul~ing di'it:S :11 (' ;_( ·.1 lhrnugh ( '- IC.'lll.lllll l.11kd 1111m1lkr dll llpllli11 · 1~1 . . 101h1.· l':lll!--1.' 11ftl1L· C\.'I'\ 1c:il i11j111: ll<llL'd Um11• . '/l/)/'11: ,\ 'orto 1· ,l/oru/C!\'. '"l';·u: Col/i11s 1· .\'tone. \'ll/Jr11 l. 11 1111.· (1-( ·7 I lu\\L'\ L'I'. I )r Ill h1:-. l'L'f'lll'I f\c'( .\°c/1el.1•r I' .tlfo·111.11i1111. dated " ''\L'tllh1.·r 17 ..'111-L of 1)1. l>mdi11:: h i11:-.ut'l11.11:11· tn dl.'lc.11-.11111111.11: j11d~111L'llL \ecn1di11 ~ 111 the anirmatiPIL 1)1. l>(l\\linµ 'ia\\· pl:ti111iffa11d f'L·rf'11rn11.·d ra11~'L' 1il 1n11l i11111c-..1i 11~ · 1111 hiSCLT\ ica l rcgi(\ll u 11 l\l:trl"h I. 20 10. lk l)o\\li11g !irnnd that pl~1i111iffh 1d ntllgl' or11101i1HI r1.''ilricliP1h i11 hi-.. l°l'I'\ ic:i l r1.'l!l\lll. I I0\\1,'\ L'L Dr. 1)()\\1 11~ l':tikd (() -,[;ll1.' ho\\ he lllL'll'il!r.:d lhl..'. joim r1111c1iu11 ill pl:tlllli II".., 1.Yn ical :-.pi111.· 111 hi.., allirn1a1io11 ( \'l'l' llar11t:r 1• To111/J\·to11 e Pi::u Corp. '1;1ru: /ler111a11 1· Cl111rc'1 . '"firt1) . -,\H•l'll l'il1.· ..,\\llrli r1.·port nr l>r. .\hhasi i:-. ill'illffo.:i~lll lo ddl.:al 'illlllllli.lr: judg1t1L'l1I. l>r. .\hha . . i· . . r1.'lhll'l. da11.·d \l;1rch l<L 2010. SL'.I fonh plaintilr:-. initial complaints and tht: lindin~s. includi1'~ 1l11.· limita1i1111:-. i11 hi-.. cetYiL·al joint runc1i1 lll. mcasun.:d during range or rnotinn lcsti ng.. I )r . .\bhasi fai kd Ill prm itk 1he 11nn11,t1 r;111gc \)r 1 1w1ion ll11.'il'illl'L'll1Cllls r(lr lh,: Cl'I'\ ical join t (.\'l'(' Q11il/f{ll/{/ I' Arel/a Trt111sport, Inc.. lN \I >1d I{)() 1 • 1 >~ i '\ YS2d ~n j:d f)cpt .2011 I: ./o/11mm 1· Tm11q11ille . 70 1\D~d (l-l5. W>2 '\!YS.2d 8•U112d lkpt )Olllj1 \h1rco,cr. lk .\hhas foikd tu state ho"' he measured the joint !"unction i11 ph1i11tilr:-.ct:nical spin1.'. 1IJL· 1;1ilurl' 10 swtc and dc.;cribc the 11.:sls used will rcrnkr lhl' tipinion ins u1"lici1.:nt (see /Jamey 1• To111hsto11e l'i::;.a Corp \llfll'U: llermtlll I' ('ft11rc'1 . .\l/f)l'll). Dr. /\bbasi pm,·idcd rt.:il hcr l'\'i1.knc1.· or ra11g1.· or 11w1io11 li111i1a1i1111.., nor a qualitati\l' asse...... mt:nt orplaintilrs lumbar spi111.'. I Ill' ·mnrn report n!' Dr. lhandcns1ci11 is i11sul'!icirn1 to dL'leaL sun111iary j11dg111l'nl. · \cl..'ord i 11 ~ 11 • I )r. Hramk11s11.·in·.., report. da11.:d '1.l\embcr 11. 201 -L he did not t::-.amine plain1in~s el..'.l'\ ical and lumbar 1\:gi111b until Cktnber 12. 20 I 0. almost 11 months arter the accident. and submitted nn ob.kcti\·e medical t:\ idcnc1.· co1 11L'mporancous \Yi th th1.· accitkn t (,\'l'l' llem:lry 1• VA S E'l:press Corp .. 11 .:i /\ DJd -i 78. <)81 NYS2d -t 1X 11 sl lkpt .201-.tj: Soito 1· A'o11ate. 8.:i .l \DJd 522. 925 NYS2d -i56 j lst lkpt 20111: To11/.\ ·0111• J'm111g llan l'ae . I; \1)3d:; 17. 788 NYS~d 3.1-t 11 st lkp. 200.f j). I il1.· repn rts of Dr. Pli.:1'11.:r an: i11sul'licic:111 to ddl.:ut su111r1<1r.1 j11d!-1-llll..'lll. I krc. Dr. l'klfrr".., \IRI report. da11.·d ,\ugust 17. 2013. indic<tles that according lo the 1RI c·wmi11a1in11 nl°plaintil'I--.. lu111har 'Pille. p1.-rl(1rmcd (\\l'111~ da~ s after thl' subject aceiue111 occurred. he lrnd herniated disc::-. at I ;.1 -+and I I I " I lt1\\1.'\l'r. I >r. f>IL·nl.:r 1i1iil'd t11 prorll·r an opinion as to the caus~ of' the lumbar injury nntt:d in her report I 'l''' S<'fteker 1· /Jrml'll . 91 I\ l)Jd 75 I. 1J>(1 N YS2d 28~ f 2d Dept 20121: Sorto 1• Morale\·. ) ;; \I) 1d 718. XM< '\Y'\2d (i712d lkpl 2•)081: Collins 1 •Sto11e. 8 t\D:ld 321. 778 NYS2d 79 j2d Dept 200-tjJ. \lnri..·m1.·r. .1:-. tn plai111ifr.., rit!ht knc:c. l>r. Pklfrr·s rt:port. d<11L·d .\ ugust 17. 2011. imliL :tlL''i that ..,JlL· r1.'\ ie\ved tll1.· \-ra> rvpn rl 11f' pl;i 1n1ilr-.. righ t l-. 111.·c. pnl(>rnicd on the d;i;. pf' tile.: acc idcnL \\hich i1 di1.a1e . . 1h:i1 tlicrl..' \\d:-. 1H11.·\ id1.·11c1.· 111' ;11.·1111.: fraelurc. tlwrc: \\d'\ pa11.:lloli:1111n-:il tkgcn1.·rati\1.' joint di:-.1.·ase. ;111d the pnssihilit;. 01°<1 -.mall joi11t dlusi\111 \\:!:-. rai . . l'd 1\11 lllL· later:tl projc.:ctiPl1. l)r. Pli:ffi.:r als<l r1.'\ ic:\\ed the tvlRI rqlnrt nrpl,tilllilr . . riµl11 knee. pcrlim11cd 1 i d•1: s l(lllowing the accident.\\ hich indicalcs that tlierL· was .. pr1.· · l'\i..;1i11~ usl1.'(ldq.!.Cl1L'l'ati\ L' disL:asc wi1h 1x1.·-e:-;i sti11g i111ramc11iscal intrasubstancl' l L'gl'l1c1«1li1.111·· c.md that lhl.'rl' \\a.., ··11n cn111.·lu . . i,·c c\ idcnce for mc.:11i-.;cal tt:aring. pathologic joi111 effusion. suhc:utancou:-. '>1lli tissue c11ntu . . 101i. hone hn11 . . i1 l"l'CL'lll ( i.1.'. 1raunHt-r1.•la1c.:d} fractu re. or dislocatil.)n:· Dr. P t::l'l~T rurthl'I' i11dic.1te:-. that Ilic 1µ. partial -t hickness lL'nd1111 ll'mi11µ in the ratclla ··may (ill part) he a11rihu1ahk lo th1.· ..;uhjcct :1ccidl'11l. l'h1.· lllLTc L''.i:--lL'n<.:e (>r a lc:ir i11 ll'11dn11:-.. a:-- \\di <l'i a Ll:ar i11 a ligament. is lll•l 1." ide111.:c 11( a ..,L'.mn1-. 111i11n i11 th1.· S\\urn 0 0 [* 7] R1ddid.' Sulfolk ( 'ot1111~ i lldL"\ '\\I. I 0-..:'..., ' (111 l'.t!.!L' 7 ,lh'\L'll<.'1..' 01°1ih_jccli\L' L'\ id1..'lll..'L' tll'l l1L' L':\ IL'l1( 1 ll°tlJL' :tli q!L'd pliy'iil'<.tl li11l l<tl i111),-., l'L'"lllllll!_l rro111 tii1.· i1 1j11r: Ulld 1)()\ '\YS2d 120 l:~d lh:pl '0101: Uttle 1· / .oco/1 . ~'I ii-. dural JPll ''('< ' /frw/i 1· .llorrea/e. 7.+ .\D.1d 10-13. \I >3d 8 i 7. 8lJ7 :--.; Y\2d I in I 2d I kpt 20 I 0 I: Ciancio 1· .Vo/rm. <>5 . \ D3d I .2n. X85 YS2d 7(> 7 I 2d I >..:pt 2(Hl1J I: .\'i/e.; 1· f.am l'a/..ie /lo .(\ I ·\l> ~d 657. 877 NYS2d I~<) 12d I kpl .200l) I). l>r. J>klfrr pr\)\ id1..·d 111..:i1l11..,1.'\ idL·11L·1.· 111 ra11µ1.· ol' 111111in11 li111i1ati11•1s nnr a qu.tli1a1i,·1.· <1•;..,es~111L·n1 n ,' pl 1i11til'J'-., nglr kt1L'L'. \111r1.·11\ 1.·r. 1liv 1111.il limll·d lllL'dic1l r1..·p1H'l:-. 1lf S1n11ha111pt1lll I hhpital. I ·astern lslanJ \ kdiGll ( an:. I )1 . Korn1.111. I >r \I id1.id lknanti. ()r l·iscnhcrµt:r. Dr. I l\\a11g. and Dr. Justin lack. suh111i111..:d b~ ('lai11til'f. <lrl: i11-.,ufliciL·111 t11 r:11-.,1..· .1 1r1:thk j-.,,uc \\r fo<.:l. a~ thL·~ .ire 1w1 in admissihk !'onn. 1 :i1rnll:-. plai11tilT fitikd lo ol'll-r co111pctl'nl L'\'idcm:c thal he susluim:d nonpcn11a11rn1 i11juri..:s that k·l'l hi111 unahk to !KTl',1rn1 his rn1n11al dai ly at:ti, · iti~·s l(H· al kasl 90 l)l'lhL' 18( • (fo:s i1111th.~diatcl: l(1 ll t1\\ inµ till' .1ecidc11t (\t'l' .loltn 1· l.imlm . l~-l .\l):Jd )\)8. I '\YS\d .27.+ l2d lkpl :iot::;I : II C/11mg Um 1· ( '/1ra/Jtf\";.c~.. ')' \I) .hi IJ:\0. 9-t-I ~ Y "i '\I 23<i I 2d Dept 20121: R frero 1· Bmlrn•ick RidJ:1 11·ood Props., Jue .. (i3 \I) ~d 7 1.1 . XI-ill 1 '\ Y"i2d l-l 1 l2d lkp1 _00 1 J >11. 1lrn!->. the .'ul'll1ll,. Count: ddcndants· 111oti 1n li1r "urnmar~ jud!-!1111..·111 d1,111issi11µ the c11mpla1111 h.i-.;ed on plainiirrs foilur1..: to met.:t th1.>s1..'rious i11_iur~ tlm:shold is grantL'd. 1 1 :\ ccordingly. the t:rnss motion by the Puhlic /\dminislrntor for -.;umnHll') judgment dismissing th1..· 1.'P1t tpl ai11t nn thL· µrou 1d thnt plnintilT did nnl s ustain a "serious injur~ ·· as ddincd i11 l11s11rnncL' I <I\\ ~:--I 0.2 ( d) is 1knicd. as nwot. GRANTED SEP - 9 2016 Al>ITH4~ 0.flMbli X FINAL l>ISl'OSITI Oi\ I Ion Jo: · 1 Farn1..:t i /\c n 1 • w;{i1,;t: SupremL' Court ON- Fl N:\I . D ISPOS ITI ON

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