July 1, 2008

Home improvement contractors.

Practice point: Courts strictly construe the licensing requirements for home improvement contractors, pursuant to Administrative Code of the City of New York § 20-387(a), and public policy prohibits an unlicensed home improvement contractor from recovering either in contract or in quantum meruit.

Case: Metrobuild Assoc., Inc. v. Nahoum, NY Slip Op 04625 (1st Dept. 2008)

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June 30, 2008

Actions in equity.

Practice point: In an action sounding in equity, the recovery of interest is within the court's discretion, pursuant to CPLR 5001[a].

Case: Dayan v. York, NY Slip Op 04827 (2d Dept. 2008)

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June 27, 2008

Preclusion of expert testimony.

Practice point: Preclusion for failure to comply with CPLR 3101(d) is improper unless there is evidence of intentional or willful failure to disclose and a showing of prejudice.

Case: Cruz v. Gustitos, NY Slip Op 04826 (2d Dept. 2008)

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June 26, 2008

Failure to communicate medical findings.

Practice point: A defendant-physician may be held liable for ordinary negligence for a failure to communicate significant medical findings to a patient.

Case: Bennett v. Long Is. Jewish Med. Ctr., NY Slip Op 04823 (2d Dept. 2008)

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June 25, 2008

Defective products.

Practice point: Whether pleading in strict products liability, breach of warranty or negligence, a consumer-plaintiff has the burden of showing that the product's defect was a substantial factor in causing the alleged injury, and proof of injury, standing alone, is insufficient to prove that the product was defective for its intended use.

Case: Beckford v. Pantresse, Inc., NY Slip Op 04822 (2d Dept. 2008)

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June 24, 2008

Statute of Limitations.

Practice point: The tolling of the statute of limitations for the alleged disability of insanity may not extend the limitations period beyond ten years after the cause of action accrues, pursuant to CPLR 208.

Case: Santo B. v. Roman Catholic Archdiocese of N.Y., NY Slip Op 04821 (2d Dept. 2008)

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June 23, 2008

Mortgage contingency clauses.

Practice point: Where a contract for the sale of real property contains a mortgage contingency clause, purchasers are entitled to recover their down payment if the mortgage is not approved, as long as they made a genuine effort to secure mortgage financing and acted in good faith.

Case: Astrada v. Archer, NY Slip Op 04819 (2d Dept. 2008)

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June 20, 2008

Retaining liens.

Practice point: If discharged for cause, an attorney is not entitled either to a retaining lien or compensation.

Case: Alami v. Volkswagen of America, NY Slip Op 04817 (2d Dept. 2008)

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June 19, 2008

General Obligations Law § 395-b.

Practice point: There is no private right of action based on this statute which prohibits premises' owners or managers from knowingly permitting installation of a viewing device "for the purpose of surreptitiously observing the interior of any fitting room, restroom, toilet, bathroom, washroom, shower, or any room assigned to guests or patrons in a motel, hotel or inn."

Case: Thomas v. Northeast Theatre Corp., NY Slip Op 04778 (1st Dept. 2008)

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June 18, 2008

Written releases.

Practice point: General Obligations Law § 5-326 does not invalidate a release executed by a New York City Marathon runner, since the entry fee is for participation in the marathon, and is not an admission fee allowing the runner to use the City-owned public roadways over which the marathon is run.

Case: Brookner v. New York Roadrunners Club, NY Slip Op 04638 (2d Dept. 2008)

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June 17, 2008

Prior written notice.

Practice point: A municipality with a prior written notice statute is not liabile for injuries caused by an improperly maintained roadway, absent the notice, unless (1) the municipality created the defect through an affirmative act of negligence, or (2) the municipality derived a special benefit from a special use of the roadway.

Case: Bogorova v. Village of Atlantic Beach, NY Slip Op 04637 (2d Dept. 2008)

Click here for the uncorrected opinion.