Preclusion.

The trial court abused its discretion in precluding defendants from using a deposition given by plaintiff in a prior personal injury action. Plaintiff could not have been surprised by defendants' use of her deposition testimony, as she was obviously aware that she had given the deposition, and she had received a copy of the transcript, pursuant to CPLR 3101[e]. Plaintiff's prior deposition testimony was directly relevant to the injuries for which she sought damages in this action. In addition, plaintiff's counsel concedes that plaintiff would not have been prejudiced by defendants' failure to produce the documents at issue if she had been represented by the same counsel in this action and in the prior personal injury action. However, plaintiff was represented in this action by her counsel in the prior personal injury action on the date that the court's scheduling order required defendant to turn over any statements made by plaintiff. Therefore, defendants should not be penalized for not having done so.

Miller v. Camelot Communications Group, Inc., NY Slip Op 02091 (1st Dep't March 29, 2022)

Here is the decision.

CPLR 3213.

Summary judgment in lieu of complaint is limited to actions that are based upon instruments for the payment of money only.

Bank of Am., N.A. v. Filho, NY Slip Op 02055 (1st Dep't March 24, 2022)

Here is the decision.

CPLR 317.

A defaulting defendant that was served with a summons other than by personal delivery may be permitted to defend the action upon the court's finding that the defendant did not personally receive notice of the summons in time to defend and has a meritorious defense. Service on a limited liability company through the Secretary of State does not constitute personal delivery. The mere denial of receipt of the summons and complaint is not sufficient to establish lack of actual notice of the action in time to defend.

Andrews v. Wartburg Receiver, LLC, NY Slip Op 01980 (2d Dep't March 23, 2022)

Here is the decision.

Suits against the State.

 In order to timely commence the action, a claimant must meet the requirements of Court of Claims Act § 11, which states, "[t]he claim shall state the time when and place where such claim arose, the nature of same, and the items of damage or injuries claimed to have been sustained." Absolute exactitude is not required, but the notice of claim must be definite enough to enable the State to investigate the claim promptly and to ascertain its liability.

Mindley v. State of New York, NY Slip Op 02069 (1st Dep't March 13, 2022)

Here is the decision.

A motion to quash a subpoena.

Since the plaintiff is trying to enforce a judgment that was issued by Supreme Court, New York County, plaintiff properly issued subpoenas with restraining notices out of that court. A proceeding to vacate the restraining notices must be brought in that court. 

79 Madison LLC v. Ebrahimzadeh, NY Slip Op 02052 (1st Dep't March 24, 2022)

Here is the decision.

Property owners' liability.

Property owners and occupiers owe a duty of reasonable care to keep their premises safe. The scope of that duty is the foreseeability of the possible harm, which can be resolved by the court when only one inference can be drawn from undisputed facts. A landowner is not liable for injuries arising from a condition that is inherent or incidental to the nature of the property, and that could be reasonably anticipated by those using it.

Aloi v. Dubriske, NY Slip Op 01979 (2d Dep't March 23, 2022)

Here is the decision.

The business judgment rule.

Tbe rule bars judicial inquiry into corporate directors' actions taken in good faith and in the exercise of honest judgment in the lawful and legitimate furtherance of corporate purposes.  A complaint's conclusory allegations do not defeat the powerful presumption of the rule.

Max v. ALP, Inc., NY Slip Op 01969 (1st Dep't March 22, 2022)

Here is the decision.

CPLR 3017[a].

The court may grant any type of relief, regardless of whether the relief is demanded, appropriate to the proof, and imposing such terms as may be just.

Rios v. Sendowski, NY Slip Op 01977 (1st Dep't March 22, 2022)

Here is the decision.

CPLR 3025(b).

The court denied plaintiff's request for leave to file a new amended complaint that would include additional allegations, as plaintiff did not submit a proposed second amended complaint as required by the statute.

New York Studios Inc. v. Steiner Digital Studios, NY Slip Op 01881 (1st Dep't March 17, 2022)

Here is the decision.

Appellate practice.

The right of direct appeal therefrom terminated with the entry of the order and judgment of foreclosure and sale in the action.

CIT Bank, N.A. v. Fernandez, NY Slip Op 01763 (2d Dep't March 16, 2022)

Here is the decision.

Alter ego liability.

Alter ego liability is not an independent cause of action in New York.

Perez v. Long Is. Concrete Inc., NY Slip Op 0887 (1st Dep't March 17, 2022)

Here is the decision.